In the last week and a half, the popular resale
shop has had a complete going over -- and under, out, back and in,
as all of its stock was removed and new carpet laid.For the past
week and a half, 10 visiting, industrious young people have
steadfastly worked. While these workers are from many different
places across the United States, they cared enough about helping
people and the needs of this community to come here and work hard.
Who are they?
They are a new branch of the AmeriCorps, the National Civilian
Community Corps.
NCCC was created at the request of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency in order to have workers available who could be
called out to aid in disaster recovery.
Regional teams are kept at work on various projects that aid
communities.
Recently, a confluence of need and opportunities came between
Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington, the Lincoln Mission Mart
and the Lincoln Salvation Army's Keest Center.
The mission in Bloomington provides meals and shelter to the
homeless, as well as operating a food pantry and providing programs
for those in need of assistance.
Sales from Mission Mart support the mission, and in turn, with
clothing donations coming from Bloomington, the store also provides
a good resale shopping source for Lincoln residents.
Recently, a Bloomington businessman bought a building that had
new carpet in it that he did not want. He contacted the mission to
see if they had need for it.
The mission's chief executive, Mary Ann Pullin, said she knew
just where that carpet should go. Carpet had been at the top of the
list of needs for the Lincoln store for quite some time.
With another stroke of luck, AmeriCorps could supply the labor,
but volunteers would need a place to stay.
Tony Shuff, who operates the Keest Center for the Salvation Army,
had the answer. The volunteers could stay at the Keest Center, just
two blocks from store.
