Thrift store does more than sell clothing

By SARA BUSSE

Morning Star Encore Boutique may seem like just another thrift store, but it's so much more.

Dr. Carmen Ferber, executive director of Morningstar Family Ministries of Canada Inc., has opened up the new, quality thrift store, located at 251a Huron St. in New Hamburg, which sells good quality clothing and small workable appliances and smaller furniture, such as end tables and chairs. The store is about 2,600 square feet and is packed to the brim with quality goods. But what makes this store so unique is the people who run it.

Morningstar Family Ministries is a faith-based ministry dedicated to reaching out to families, children and youth with hands-on assistance to help build futures, relationships and opportunities for development. The focus of the Morningstar programs is to equip and teach youth to be contributing members of society. Ferber thinks that the thrift store will be a perfect way to teach youth about working in the retail business and help them gain valuable experience being contributing members of society. Along with the youth who are already part of the Morningstar program, two full-time staff members -- Taryn Wiley and Mac Crummer -- will be running the store. Ferber has invited anyone from the community to volunteer and gain retail service experience.

"We have to be creative, see what will help the kids in the community be successful," she said, referring to the fact that this will be the first thrift store they've operated.

All clothing that doesn't get sold at Encore Boutique will be used to fill a barrel and be sent to Ghana to help clothe children and their families. Morningstar, as part of their ministry, shipped 26 barrels to Ghana last year and 31 more will be sent out in March. Barrels can be purchased for a donation and are filled with clothes, school supplies and toys. Ferber is hoping to open a small coffee shop within the thrift store to help youth learn about serving skills and socialization.

"It's all about community helping community," she said.

Drop off boxes are located at the Esso station in St. Agatha, outside the Morningstar Academy in New Hamburg and the Koinonia Christian Fellowship in Bloomingdale.