Mark Schmehl pulled up to the back of the OppShop Saturday morning and began pulling a box and bags out of his silver pickup truck, handing them to store employees who braved the cold, blustery weather to collect them.
The bags were filled with clothing; coats, hats, sweatshirts and shoes. In the boxes were cups, mugs and a small radio.
They were items that Schmehl no longer needed. They were things that he gathered while cleaning out his house.
But just because Schmehl didn’t have any use for them didn’t mean they weren’t still useful. Which is why he packed them up and delivered them to the OppShop, a thrift store at Penn Plaza in Muhlenberg Township run by Opportunity House.
“I was cleaning out my house and I thought it would be nice to donate the things that I no longer have use for to a good cause,” he said. “Opportunity House does a lot of good things, especially for the veterans.
“There are a lot of people who need assistance, so why wouldn’t I do what I can to help?”
The store offers clothing, books, furniture, housewares and other items.
OppShop has three main goals: Create jobs for homeless, formerly homeless and low-income individuals living in Reading; divert waste from landfills; and generate revenue to reinvest into the organization’s mission, specifically its homeless shelter.
Schmehl was one of several local people to stop by the OppShop Saturday to take advantage of its Code Blue Donation Day. The event encourages people to drop off donations, particularly items that will help keep those in need warm this winter.
“We are always in need of items, especially in the winter when donations can be a little slow,” assistant manager Kimberly Ruiz said. “Some of the families that come in here we know on a first-name basis. They come in two or three times a week looking for things. They know that we are here to help.
“People tell me all the time that they appreciate us being here because we really do try to help everyone.”
One of those frequent customers is Wilfredo Pejuero, who visits the store two times a week looking for clothing. He said shopping there really helps him stretch his tight budget.
“The prices here are the best around,” he said. “The quality of the items and the prices are something you can’t find at other places.”
Ned Moore agreed.
“This is the best thrift store in town,” he said. “There are a lot of things constantly coming in and the items are so unique.”
Moore was excited about a few items he had discovered at the store, including a yardstick from the Fairgrounds Square Mall and a set of enamel pie tins.
“This is such a charitable place, so I feel good about my money going here,” he said about shopping at OppShop. “I like that everything stays local and helps the community.”
Helping the local community is exactly why Sherry Duffy of Exeter Township was also at OppShop on Saturday.
She donates regularly to Opportunity House, and when she saw they were having a donation day she reached out to her daughter, who had mentioned she had some clothing to donate that her kids had outgrown.
“I know it’s going to the moms and kids that really need it,” she said. “I feel good about being able to help people out.”
Donations to OppShop aren’t limited to special events like Saturday’s Code Blue Donation Day. Opportunity House officials said they’re welcome anytime, year round.
Donations can be dropped off behind the OppShop, located at 3045 Fifth Street Highway, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Source: Berkshire mont