Finding Solutions: Catholic Social Services aims to help more people with thrift store
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - It’s a place you may have shopped at without even realizing you’re helping others with each purchase or donation.
Catholic Social Services Thrift Store has been around for 35 years as a way to those in need throughout the CSRA.
They’re finding solutions in how they can help even more people through a new large building they just moved into.
Catholic Social Services is a non-profit organization that has been around since 1969.
They’re mission is to help those in need, and they’re able to do that through their thrift store.
Cinderella Day giving kids the prom of their dreams
Since 2018, the Augusta Dream Center has hosted Cinderella Day. It’s a special day centered around high school girls.
“We have a food pantry,” said Mary Richardson, executive director for Catholic Social Services. “We provide personal hygiene products, we help people who are uninsured pay their prescription medications, low income clinic co-pays. We do a lot of things for the community, so the thrift store was started to fund what we do at the outreach office.”
The Thrift store was created in 1990, and Richardson says it’s been successful.
That’s why they moved into a larger outreach building 10 minutes down the road.
“We moved into there so we could have more storage room, order more food and eventually have more clients to serve, so we are expanding,” said Richardson.
Another way they’re giving back is by hosting a take what you need day.
Valor Station-Augusta helps those who help us
Valor Station-Augusta is a non-profit organization for first responders by first responders. They provide behavioral health services to those we call when we need help.
“We decided we would like to help the community and have a day once month, once every couple months, it depends on what our overflow is where we can just give it to people in need,” said Philomena Mooney, manager of Catholic Social Services Thrift Store. “There is no requirement; if you are in need, it’s between you and the big guy.”
Mooney says what they do is all about serving others.
“You can find a good item for a good price and in return you’re helping the community so it’s really the best form of recycling,” said Mooney.
Again, proceeds from the thrift store fund the emergency assistance they provide to families.
Currently, they help around 150 households a week – something they’re looking to expand.
As for the take what you need day, that’s Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the thrift store off Wrightsboro Road.
You’ll just line up on the patio and get what you need for free.
Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
