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The recent news that the Salvation Army would be closing its thrift store at the end of May is an unfortunate development and will leave an impact for many people living in our area.

The thrift store was a place for people to get clothes, household items and furniture at affordable prices, but it was also a place for those in need and adhered to the SA’s mission of supporting the community.

The reality behind the thrift store’s closure can not be denied. The lingering reverberations from the COVID-19 pandemic and the inflation inflicting its effects on the public were simply too much for an operation that has only been breaking even since 2020.

The thrift store, by extension of the overall organization, was a place of support for the public; where people could pick up items they needed, who maybe couldn’t afford to go to other places for the items they need.

There will definitely be a hole in the community left behind by the closure, so this is a good opportunity to remind people that now more than ever, it’s important to support the organization that’s supporting the community.

The Salvation Army operates largely on donations and with the closure of the thrift store, those donations will become even more important. This is a place that provides meals for those in need, food from its food shelf and that operates a variety of programs at points during the year to further support families.

It’s important to realize that there is still a lot of good to be done by the dedicated people at the Salvation Army and they will need our help to continue doing good in the community. They are on the front line of making sure people have a hot meal during the day, have a proper Christmas or Thanksgiving and have a place to go in a time of need.

Losing the thrift store smarts and will leave an impact on the community, but leaving just as much of an impact is the lasting good capable through the Salvation Army.