. the menu is here
by Lois E. Johnson, November 2006
It's been three months since the new building opened for Sonshine Community Services on Folz Boulevard, and business has been booming.
"We used to get the same customers when we were in the little garage," said Delores Disterhaupt, president of the organization, in an interview at the Closet last Tuesday. "We had to keep the amount of things that we had for sale at a certain level; there wasn't room for anything extra.
"But after we moved into this new building, some people come and spend an hour looking through everything that we have now." 
She added that by the addresses on the checks that customers write or from what they tell the volunteers, they find that people often come from Duluth and Cloquet, and others from the Iron Range and the Cities stop when they are driving by.
"One lady came in and was picking up an odd assortment of things," said Delores. "We asked about that, and she said she was buying things that would be used in that movie that they were filming near Cloquet. She said that this was the nicest thrift shop that she has seen."
Delores added that they had operated the Sonshine Closet in the small garage for three years, until they moved into the new larger building and opened it on Saturday, Aug. 26. The new building also has restroom facilities, and a workroom with a washer and dryer where clothing and other items can be cleaned before they are put out on display. The small garage has been sold and moved to Mahtowa. The parking area will be ready for paving in the spring.
All of the workers at the Closet are volunteers, and more are needed. "We are not all from the Covenant Church, although we started it," said Delores. "We are always open to anyone that wants to help. We are here for the community, and we need workers from the community."
Volunteers can put in as much as 20 and up to 40 hours a week at the Closet, or help with the other service offered by Sonshine Community Services, the Feed My Sheep program, a food distribution held once a month on the second Saturday.
Although the rewards of working at the thrift store are not monetary, there are other rewards. "We
get to talk to people and meet people; that's what's great about working here," sai
d Delores. "People like to come in and visit."
Marilyn Criley added, "We all really like what we do."
Marilyn often works at home, treating stains with her homemade soap and washing many loads of clothes. "Some stains just won't come out," she said. After the clothes are washed and dried, she spends a lot of time ironing the clothes.
Besides meeting the many people that come to the thrift store, the volunteers like helping people find what they need. "When we see or hear of a need we usually find the right thing to fill that need," said Marilyn.
"It’s a miracle in a way," added Delores. "People ask for something, and, by golly, we find it."
The ladies told of a man that came in just that morning looking for a Christmas shirt. He sings with a choir and needed it for holiday performances. "We just had one shirt like that but we had it," said Delores.
Other shoppers were buying furniture; a recliner, a table and chairs and a sofa were sold within an hour's time to different customers.
"We appreciate the donations of good, salable items," said Delores. "Kids' clothes and baby clothes go like mad," said Marilyn. "We have a lot of clothing for teen girls and boys, but they don't go as well. We always have prom dresses in the spring."
However, the ladies said that clothing that is too worn or has stains that won't come out is given to a lady that comes from the Twin Cities area. "She takes them to homeless shelters," said Delores. "They are not wasted; everything is used."
But it isn't only the thrift store and the Feed My Sheep program that Sonshine Community Services provides, people can get help with other needs.
"We have some food here for people that need it," said Delores. "Otherwise we give vouchers to people so that they can go to the grocery store and get what they need.
"People do have to sign the vouchers so we can keep track of who is using them and how often.
"We've helped people pay their rent, with moving, gas for the car so they can get back and forth to work, car repairs and car insurance.
"For someone or a family that has lost their home in a fire, we provide everything that we can of what they need. But we only cover the necessities; we do not pay for someone to have cable TV hooked
up"
Monetary donations are also given to the area schools for post prom, and to the Union Gospel Mission and Salvation Army. Funds for Thanksgiving or Christmas meals can be given.
"Last year someone had two extra people coming for Christmas but didn't have money to buy the extra food, so we paid for two meals," said Delores.
Two large windows in the front of the new building allow for seasonal displays. One window features a nativity scene, and the other has a Santa and a Christmas tree now for the holiday season.
"We need a mannequin," said Delores. "If anyone has one that they would like to donate, we'll be happy to take it to use for our displays."
In summing up the efforts of Sonshine Community Services, Delores said, "We are just here to serve the needs of the community."
The volunteers have been saving toys, stuffed animals and Christmas items, and those will be available at a Christmas Bazaar at the Covenant Church on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. "We have half of a trailer load of things that we have saved," said Delores.
The hours of the Sonshine Closet are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 / p.m., and Wednesdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Closet is closed on Sundays and Mondays. For more information call the Closet at 218-485-5758
Complete text reprinted with permission Arrowhead Leader November 28, 2006.
Volume: 24 Issue: 40 By Lois E. Johnson.
photos: r. riley