The St. Vincent de Paul Board of Directors proposes building and equiping a 6,000-square-foot store on East Main Street in Weyauwega on a lot next to Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.
Judy Schomisch is a member of the parish, a volunteer at the store and a member of the board of directors.
"We need to raise $275,000. We have about $12,000 thus far," she said.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of Appleton began working with the local thrift store in 2009 after receiving a call for assistance.
For years, the thrift store operated out of the old Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, at the corner of Ann and East streets in Weyauwega.
That church is about 150 years old and does not have a restroom or running water. Because of a lack of proper heating, the store could never operate in the winter.
After several months of considering options - including renting, renovating or building - the decision was made to build a new store.
On April 1, 2010, they entered into a two-year lease to rent the white chapel in Evanswood Village, located about one-fourth mile south of Weyauwega, off of U.S. Highway 10.
Schomisch said the plan was to kick off the capital campaign earlier this year.
However, personnel changes - both in the parish and at the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Appleton - resulted in setbacks.
"We have contacted an architect/planner," she said.
The store serves about 750 customers per year and, in 2010, gave more than $9,000 to those in need.
The idea behind the thrift store is to raise money so that people can be helped.
The store is currently supported by 36 volunteers.
The new building will allow the store to move back into Weyauwega, making it more accessible to the elderly, those in need and the volunteers.
They also plan to be open more hours. Right now, the store is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Being open more hours means the store could then generate more sales and revenue and thus help more people.
There are various ways that people can help get the project off the ground.
Pledges and donations are being accepted. Donations, written out to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, should be mailed to the Society in care of M&I Bank, P.O. Box 550, Weyauwega, WI 54983.
Schomisch said in-kind donations are also being accepted and include anything that could be used in the new building, such as windows, a garage door, lighting.
The thrift store continues to accept donations for the store itself. Clothing, household items, games and toys are accepted.
She said there is particularly a need for toys and that they always need volunteers, too.
Those interested in volunteering at the store may visit it during store hours.
The store helps people throughout the area, and their hope is for its presence to become stronger so that more people can be helped.
"The goal is to be at the new location next April," Schomisch said.
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