Community House Thrift Store: Changes and Continued Generosity
Like most shops of its kind, the Community House Thrift Store located in New Meadows at the corner of Taylor and Miller Streets is full of surprising treasures. The real gems of the shop though, are the staff inside who tirelessly work to benefit the New Meadows community.
Back in January, thrift store co-managers Brenda Burton and Kristi Schiermeier presented at the Meadows Valley School Board meeting a letter confirming a merger between the school district and the thrift store.
The letter received by the school board communicates a closure of the Community House tax ID number with an explanation that the Meadows Valley School District would take over all administrative duties including state sales tax payments, disbursement and management on all banking and money, utilities, insurance, facility maintenance, and marketing. The letter further communicated that the existing team of volunteers are committed to continued support of the school through 2025 by working 4-8+ hours each month at the store. This would keep the store open 3 days a week.
The pair also presented a check to Board Chair Barbara Dixon in the amount of $18,100 with notes on specific disbursements for teachers and staff. The school board expressed excitement and gratitude for the large donation. Further comment or information from the school on the agreement was not received for this article.
As of January 2025, the Community House’s 30 volunteers had put in more than 6,537 hours of work over the last two and a half years keeping the store stocked, tidy, and staffed for shoppers each week. Burton and Schiermeier continue to coordinate volunteers and manage weekly shop operations.
Volunteers take on a range of duties including sorting, storing, and organizing donations, promoting sales to keep merchandise moving, cleaning, laundering, and pricing items. More volunteers are always welcome and interested people can inquire during open hours for more information.
“The thrift store is not only a place to generate money, or a place to recycle unwanted items. It is an asset to our community…” said Schiermeier. The store currently donates children’s clothes to the Meadows Valley Youth Advocacy Coalition after school program. Kids can shop for free while they play. Items like t-shirts, sweats, and costumes are often available as are seasonal items like snow boots and cold weather jackets.
The store also has a community support form for families or individuals needing extra help with clothing or household items, or those who encounter disaster or tragedy. The volunteers have generously provided extra open hours and monetary or tangible item donations for those in need.
Between July of 2022 to December of 2024, the Community House monetarily contributed thousands to tens of thousands of dollars to school requests like the shoe fund, senior projects, black top upgrades and sporting equipment, and preschool furnishings. Contributions to New Meadows Parks & Rec, The Adams County Historical Society, SAVES Foundation, and the Meadows Valley Library summer food and reading program have all made significant impacts.
Schiermeier added, “I would like to praise Brenda Burton, Kathleen Villeneuve, Jean Coreia and Kim Rivas. These ladies go above and beyond on volunteer hours. Without them the business would not run as smoothly as it does!”
When you shop at the Community House you are putting money back into the community in more ways than one. This week at the thrift store, all linen is on sale. Daily sales can be found in store. Donations are currently being accepted. Please do not drop off large furniture, computers, or bikes. Current hours are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m..
