Neighbors Helping Neighbors Thrift Store marks 10 years

The Lincoln Thrift Store that operates behind the Methodist Church recently celebrated its 10th anniversary.

"It's my baby," said Diane Ironi who started the thrift shop. She monitors inventory and coordinates volunteers. "It's helped so many people. We've helped families from one end of town to the other."

"I set it up so we had a place in town where people could bring good, usable items. I want it to make money for the community, to bring in money for nonprofits," said Ironi.

Due to the thrift store's business structure and volunteer support, most money that comes in can go right back out to the community. Ironi said over the years the thrift store has supported several nonprofits and projects around town, including help with purchasing volleyball uniforms, football helmets and donations to Hooper Park.

The store currently has seven regular volunteers: Becca O'Leary, Joyce Ferguson, Ron Lydiard, Sherri Wood, Pat Bickel, Harold Bickle and Matt Gates. The crew helps staff the shop, as well as haul items and trash.

Ironi said the store always needs more volunteers. "It's a lot of lifting, carrying, dragging," said Ironi. There are six hour volunteer shifts on Fridays, or people can come in for just a few hours if that's better for them.

The Thrift Store is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Fridays.

Another project Ironi worked on over the summer was bringing Farmers to Families food boxes to town. "We probably gave out just short of 1,000 boxes of fruit, veggies and some dairy," said Ironi.

Boxes were picked up weekly in Helena and brought back to Lincoln by volunteers from a local church. "Ken Gellatly and Mike Ferguson went to get it every Thursday, and PureView in Helena sent a car up here with some." Ironi said the project wouldn't have been possible without the support of the drivers.