FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
CINDY OELKE
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
STEPHEN CENTER
(402) 715-5476
Stephen Center Thrift to open in South Omaha
Stephen Center Thrift will be opening on Friday, October 23, 2009 at 5128 South 24th Street. “This is the culmination of many of our dreams” stated Del Bomberger, Executive Director of Stephen Center. Stephen Center Thrift will help us further our mission of partnering with the community, families and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction and poverty.First and foremost, Stephen Center Thrift will be hiring many new employees who are clients of our three programs: Emergency Shelter, HERO Program and Transitional Living Program. Every employee that we have hired for the grand opening comes from one of these programs. “We are very excited to provide job training and help our clients’ get back on their feet and into housing of their own as soon as possible,” commented Cindy Oelke, Development Director.
Stephen Center Thrift will be providing clients with vouchers to shop and pay for items at the store. This will provide all clients’ better access and selection of items that they may need. The store will also offer additional volunteer opportunities for our many volunteers. All proceeds from the operation of Stephen Center Thrift will support the operation of our mission.
Store hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Donations will be accepted at the store during regular business hours. You can also call to schedule a pick up.
About Stephen Center
Stephen Center, Inc. has served the homeless and low-income men, women and children in Omaha since 1984. Stephen Center is the only “dry” emergency shelter in Omaha, focusing on assisting those who have made a commitment to overcome the life destroying effects of drugs and alcohol. Stephen Center operates three distinct programs: Stephen Center Emergency Shelter, Stephen Center HERO Program and Stephen Center Transitional Living Program.
5128 South 24th Street (Just north of 24th and Q)
Phone: (402) 614-1017
Grand Opening: October 23rd, 2009
Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:00 to 6:00
Sunday 12:00 to 6:00
Please join us for our Grand Opening on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24th.
How to donate: First things first, please put the magnet on your refrigerator so that you can have our number handy for donations.
Stephen Center: As always you can drop off items at Stephen Center. Please call ahead to 715-5472 and tell them when you will be there. These items should be taken to the brand new Donation Garage at the rear of the building in the alley. This building was a donation from Mutual of Omaha through the 100 Days of Caring Celebration this spring and summer and is a real blessing. Items received at the Stephen Center will be sorted for usage at the Stephen Center with excess items being taken to Stephen Center Thrift. Please continue to make food donations at the front door.
Stephen Center Thrift: Drop off at the rear of the store during regular business hours.
Call for a pick-up: Please call 614-1017 and schedule a pick-up.
Stephen Center Thrift is a real step forward for our clients and the Stephen Center.
- Client Shopping Opportunities: Clients will be provided Vouchers that they can use to shop and pay for items in the store. This will provide all clients better access and selection of items they need.
- Jobs and Job Training: Stephen Center Thrift will be hiring as many as a dozen clients or more over time and this will of course help them get back on their feet and into their own housing as soon as possible.
- New Volunteer Opportunities: Stephen Center has frequently had more requests by volunteers for service than we can accommodate. This will be a new opportunity. Many people enjoy this type of volunteer opportunity and we will be able to use quite a few. Call store manager, Andie Tonniges to schedule your volunteer hours.
- A new source of Income: In this economy, donations are understandably reduced. Stephen Center is committed to making certain we can operate our programs for as long as the need exists in support of our mission: All proceeds from the operation of Stephen Center Thrift support the operation of our mission. This can’t be said of many Thrift Stores-if you want to make a difference in the lives of homeless men, women and children, Stephen Center Thrift is a great place to support.
“Stephen Center partners with the community, families, and individuals to overcome homelessness, addiction and poverty”
What can I donate?
Almost any usable item in your home. See the table below for a list of items that Stephen Center Thrift can accept.
| Stephen Center will Accept: |
We are Unable to Accept: |
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Give us what you |
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How do I schedule a pickup?
We offer pickups Monday-Friday. Please call 614-1017 to find out a schedule of when we will be in your area. Unfortunately, we are unable to schedule same day pickups. We do not schedule appointments for a specific time of day. You also do not need to be home for us to do a pickup. Pickups will be made between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Please leave your items in the driveway, on your front porch or in your garage. If you leave the items in your garage, leave the door left open for us and have the items clearly marked if you are not at home. Our drivers will not be able to enter your home or apartment for liability issues. The driver will leave a receipt for your donation in your door.
What if I accidently donated an item to Stephen Center Thrift?
If you unintentionally donated an item to us, you may stop by the store to see if you can locate the item. If the item is found, you may purchase it back for the listed price if it is still available. Please note that we cannot guarantee that you or a Stephen Center Thrift employee will be able to locate an item that was accidentally donated.
