LYNNWOOD — There’s a new thrift store in town, A-Blessing Thrift, at 19820 Highway 99 in Lynnwood and they’re giving away a nutritious treat as well.
This thrift store is unique in that it is small, is ran by only volunteers and has a voucher program with local churches.
The store has been a vision of the Lake Forest Park Sanctuary Church’s Pastor Reuben Sapien for years. Along with his mission at Sanctuary for the past nine years and in the area for 26 years total, Sapien serves at many funerals and said he has found so many people want to donate items.
“I work with people a lot and I know there is a need. There is a lot of good used clothing and other items people want to give away, and I want to make use of what is there,” Sapien said.
Along with his wife Shirley and a few committed congregation members, Sapien has been working day and night setting up the new store housed in the old Swanees Discount Jeans building (in front of World Concern). The grand opening will be Saturday, July 26.
The proceeds will go to pay rent and utilities at the store and then any extra goes into the benevolent fund to help those in need in South Snohomish County and North King County, Sapien said.
The Sanctuary congregation is very proficient at making previously owned items look desirable. The group has raised funds for their missions for years doing huge garage sales.
“We were tired of setting it all up and tearing it all down,” Sapien said.
From these garage sales and Sapien’s connections with local churches the store already has a customer base.
The store has a deal with many local churches where they commit a certain amount of money monthly to keeping the store going then when they want to send anyone in need over to the store with vouchers they can have their pick of what they need to get back on their feet. Whether it’s clothing, furniture, books, household items or toys, A-Blessing Thrift and consignment has it.
Anyone from the public just coming to shop will also get a free treat, Shirley Sapien said. The congregation members receive day-old bread from the Essential Baking Bread bakery in Fremont in Seattle.
“This isn’t just any bread—it’s the best bread, “Shirley Sapien said. “It is so nutritious and all organic.”
Lynnwood residents and Sanctuary members Ken and Sharon Cunningham also feel strongly about the mission of the new thrift store.
“It feels good inside to do this — helping others and then giving back to the community,” Ken Cunningham said.
Shirley Sapien added, “There is such a need in the community, so many people fall through the cracks.”
While the thrift store is getting off to a good start, they still need more clothing and shoe racks, shelving material, hangers and tables.
Donations can be made at the store from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday — Friday.
For more information on the new thrift store or how you can help call 425-770-0747.
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