PHIL CAMPBELL – One local organization dedicated to providing assistance to those in need in the community will be giving away everything they have collected in their thrift store in an effort to help area residents and to make room for more donations.
Ground Zero Rescue Missions’ thrift store, located on Main Street in downtown Phil Campbell, will be open from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. today giving away the items that have been donated over the past month to those in need.
Spokeswoman Tonya Parker said the store has many household goods, clothing, shoes, toys and other items.
She said the giveaway is something the organization normally does once per month and they wanted to make sure the community knew when it was taking place so those who had a need could take advantage of the opportunity.
“Ground Zero has been in the county since 2010 and we have the food bank and missions store in Phil Campbell and we also have a homeless shelter in Spruce Pine,” Parker said. “This program is a really good, faith-based program that focuses on helping the homeless learn how to support themselves while at the same time exposing them the Lord.”
Parker said Ground Zero Rescue Missions was first founded in South Alabama in 2007 by Pastor Mary Shelnutt who had a desire to help the homeless in her community.
Shelnutt expanded the ministry to the Phil Campbell area and Parker credited the move to an act of God since the organization was able to minister to many people just months later when the April 27 tornado devastated the town.
“We were established here before the tornado hit so we were able to provide assistance to the many people who needed help at that time,” she said. “Our building was damaged by the tornado but we were able to keep our operation going.
“We gave out donated items and we provided housing in our homeless shelter in Spruce Pine for the many volunteers and rescue workers who were helping out with the recovery.”
Parker said the organization was in the area before the tornado and they hope to be in the area for many years to come.
“The Lord has truly blessed this ministry and we continue to grow,” she said.
Parker said sales from the items in the thrift store go to support the food pantry and the shelter and they welcome donations at the store anytime.
“We are always accepting donations, whether they’re monetary or donations of clothing, household items or food,” she said. “Right now, Pastor Shelnutt said we have the greatest need for food, so any food would be greatly appreciated.”
Parker said anything donated in Franklin County will stay local.
For more information about Ground Zero Rescue Missions, their thrift store giveaway dates or donating items, contact Shelnutt at 205-546-0572 or Phil Campbell store manager Jennifer Weeks at 256-668-7889.