Fundraise and Volunteer With United Outreach Ministries
by Melissa LaScaleia
Off of Highway 501 at River Oaks Drive and just off of the Intracoastal Waterway close to Seaboard Street, lies United Outreach Ministries Thrift Store 501(c)(3)— a hidden gem of a second-hand store with a big-hearted mission, that just opened in January 2019.
As the holidays approach, people often look to those less fortunate than themselves to offer whatever assistance they can in a spirit of kindness. United Outreach Ministries shares in this mission, and invites volunteers now to help them meet their fundraising goals and/or volunteer in their store, and thereby make a lasting difference in the lives of those in our community who are less fortunate than others.
United Outreach Ministries is a thrift store but with a twist— all of the proceeds are used to purchase much needed hygiene products for the homeless, and everyone who participates with the organization, from the founder to those who fold the clothes, are volunteers.
The concept is the brainchild of Alan Marlow, who grew up in Powell, Tennessee, where the community was divided between those who had and those who didn’t. He remembers an abandoned building on the other side of the railroad tracks in town, which he knew, at the age of eight, housed a family or two.
“There were so many kids in school that had nothing,” he says. “And I saw how people truly struggled, and how some just couldn’t do it. There were kids who came to school literally in rags. And it was incredibly sad.”
The disparity made a big impression on Alan. But the biggest impression was to come later, when one of his relatives became too friendly with an unhealthy crowd and ended up homeless.
“She was in nursing school and made an awful choice and just couldn’t get out,” he says of the situation.
In 2017, when Alan and his wife retired to Myrtle Beach, the long idle days began to make him restless, and his past experiences inspired him to devote his time and energy to helping those in our community who are homeless.
“Homeless people don’t get the hygiene products they need, like toothpaste or deodorant, either because they don’t have the money, or because SNAP, the government food funding program, doesn’t cover these products,” he says.
“We want homeless people to get out of the situation they’re in, to gain employment. But how possible is that without proper hygiene? It’s something most people don’t think of as a priority when thinking about homeless people, but it’s a necessity. Especially psychologically, it boosts their morale and confidence, so they are more active and productive. If you are unable to even meet your basic hygiene needs, how likely are you to be able to be inspired to gain employment?”
“It’s been an eye-opening experience for me to hear people’s stories,” Alan continues. “Everybody has a story and it’s not what people think. Some people have been laid off from a job. That’s why we’re really trying to help them get back on track and back into the community.”
One of Alan’s goals is to work with the school system to provide a monthly hygiene pack for children in need.
“There are a lot of children who are impoverished as well and need support, but so many too, who are in need not only of food, but also just a shower and basic hygiene products,” he says. “And that will help to boost their self-esteem and help them to feel better about themselves.
“Some people just don’t have the bare basics to survive. If you are so disadvantaged and someone is not willing to help, you’re always going to be stuck where you are. There’s no climbing out. If you don’t have money, then you’re shunned and nobody wants to be around you.
“There’s not a whole lot you can do to help everybody. You can’t save the world, but if you can help a few, that’s something.”
In Tennessee, Alan had friends from church who managed thrift stores, so he was familiar with the concept. He established United Ministries Thrift Store as a nonprofit, so that he could maximize the amount of financial assistance that would be available to purchase supplies for the homeless. The more he sells, the more hygiene products for the homeless he is able to provide.
“I’ve been to a couple of thrift stores in this area and they don’t have the same level of quality that we have,” Alan says. “I feel we are blessed with the quality of goods that we receive, but I want the community to know that we always need more donations, and if you’re cleaning out the closets in your home, we hope you’ll choose to donate to us.”
United Outreach Ministries carries a wide variety of products for sale: clothing, furniture, books, toys, housewares, appliances, pictures and electronics— some that are gently used, and some that are brand new with the tags still attached.
They receive new furniture donations from a local company’s showroom floor every 5-6 weeks, as well as new display mattresses. Alan prices the furniture at less than half of what it would sell for in the store.
“Often people come and are expecting yard sale prices, but they’re missing the point of what we do,” he says.
Alan is selective in the clothing he puts out to ensure that he has high quality garments that people will want to buy and wear.
“Our customers come from all walks of life, whether they’re on a budget or more affluent,” he says. “There’s a lady in town who is an attorney and drives a new car, and she’s been here several times to buy clothes. We have dress clothes, women’s shoes that have never been out of the box— we’re exceptionally fortunate with what we have to offer.”
Alan is looking for volunteers to help in any capacity that interests them.
“Anybody can come in and do whatever they feel comfortable with— hanging clothes, tagging items, sorting, working at the register, organizing the hygiene products, and distributing them at shelters,” he says.
Alan is especially looking for individuals to help him with fundraising, organizing sponsorship events, and educational literature.
“We need volunteers,” Alan says. “They don’t need to have experience, just a willingness to help, and a positive attitude. But if they’re very connected in the community that’s a big plus. The more we have the more we can do.”
“It’s very rewarding for me to do this,” he adds. “I’ve gotten to help distribute the toiletries. And I see these people’s faces when somebody is actually caring about them, listening to them. What it means to them that they’re not just pushed to the side. If everybody worked together, then the world would be a better place.”
United Outreach Ministries Thrift Store nonprofit 501(c)(3)
3146 Waccamaw Blvd. Myrtle Beach SC 29579
843-443-7600
Open M-Sa 10am-7pm
www.unitedoutreachministries.com
Facebook @ United Outreach Ministries
Donate your new or gently used items in store, online, or call to arrange for a pickup. Accepting donations for hygiene products too. Volunteers and fundraisers needed.
