How to find holiday treasures and help others by shopping at FaithCentre’s Christmas Shop
Each year, FaithCentre devotes approximately a third of the space in its thrift store in Bellefonte to all things Christmas.
According to FaithCentre executive director Nicole Summers, throughout the year, a variety of Christmas items are donated to the thrift store. Those items accumulate over the year and then, in November, FaithCentre opens its much-awaited Christmas Shop.
“People can come and purchase decorations, anything Christmas related, at extremely reasonable prices. Historically, also, the Festival of Trees has donated their trees to us when (the event) is over and we give those away for free on a first-come, first-served basis,” Summers said.
The Christmas Shop is unique among Christmas-themed markets that pop up over the season around Centre County, as it’s open all through the months of November and December, anytime the thrift store itself is open, and you never know what you’re going to find. Additionally, as Christmas nears, the prices in the shop drop, until, right before the holiday, all items are marked half off.
“There’s a lot of anticipation (leading up to the opening),” Summers said. “People know that they’re going to find all sorts of really great stuff, very, very reasonably priced — and as we get closer and closer to Christmas, the prices drop. The first day we open the Christmas Shop, there’s sometimes a line of people waiting to get in. ... Anyone who likes thrift stores or yard sales, people who like the thrill of the hunt, are going to want to come to our store and see what kind of treasures they can find.”
The shop offers a particularly attractive array of vintage items.
“This is a good place if you’re looking for something that has a particular nostalgia for you,” Summers said. “You’ll find something here that will look like something your grandmother owned. You can find things that were handcrafted. You can find things that would have a particular sentimental value...”
The Christmas Shop is one of the largest fundraising initiatives FaithCentre operates. Last year, the Christmas Shop generated between $25,000 and $30,000 in revenue to support FaithCentre’s programs throughout the year, such as its food bank and pet food bank.
“While people are buying things and getting great deals, they’re in turn supporting programs that run all year long,” Summers said.
FaithCentre spends approximately $8,000 alone on holiday food through the season, preparing Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets for food bank clients. Recently, FaithCentre held a free coat week, where anyone in need of a coat for the winter season could stop by the thrift store and pick one. Additionally, FaithCentre’s pet food pantry serves the entire county, with locations in Bellefonte and State College.
Those interested in supporting FaithCentre’s work can do so by stopping by the Christmas Shop during the thrift store’s regular hours, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Volunteer options are also plentiful.
“We always need help,” Summers said. “We have two buildings, the store and the food bank. It’s a really busy time of year in both places. We encourage anyone who wants to volunteer to just stop by. You can volunteer for a day or a few hours. We don’t expect anyone to make a long-term commitment. If anyone’s interested in volunteering, they can get in touch with me and we can find something they’re interested in doing and would enjoy doing.”
FaithCentre will additionally be hosting a community Christmas lunch at the thrift store at noon on Dec. 17. The open-to-the-public, potluck dinner is an annual affair and welcomes volunteers and regular clients and supporters for a family-style celebration.