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 A new store and ministry center is opening in downtown Lincoln to
help alleviate poverty and prevent homelessness among low-income
families in Logan County.
ReNew Consignment & Thrift at 201 S. Sangamon (corner of Sangamon &
Pulaski), opens October 1st. It is a non-profit venture started by
Inner City Mission, a homeless shelter in Springfield, Illinois. ICM
is a registered 501(c)3.
The store tests a new concept: consignment and thrift items in one
location. “Our thrift items will be at the absolute lowest cost
possible,” says Store Manager Bobbi Reddix of Lincoln. “Many of
these items are donated by supporters of the ministry. We will also
take consignment items without an up front fee, which will expand
our stock and hopefully be a benefit to the community.”
Funds raised at ReNew Consignment & Thrift are not funneled back to
Inner City Mission. All proceeds after bills are paid will be
invested in the lives of low-income individuals and families in
ReNew’s service area, which includes Lincoln, Logan County and
neighboring communities.
ReNew Ministries will operate out of an office at the store
beginning in January, after the store is established. The ministry
will provide store vouchers and financial assistance to persons who
take part in a poverty alleviation program.
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Executive Director of Inner City Mission Scott Payne says,
“Throughout the 31 year history of our homeless shelter in Sangamon
County, we have been blessed and supported by churches and
individuals in ReNew’s service area. This is a way of giving back.
While our Springfield shelter will continue to focus on homeless
issues, ReNew Ministries is an experiment in the prevention of
homelessness.”
Inner City Mission has committed to investing a minimum of $30,000
in material goods and financial support during 2016 to residents
enrolling in their program at ReNew Ministries. “We hope Lincoln and
Logan County shoppers will love the store and grow the ministry well
beyond that,” Payne says.
Further information on ReNew Consignment & Thrift and ReNew
Ministries will be available at the store’s grand opening Thursday,
October 1, beginning at 10:00 a.m.
[Scott Payne/Bobbi Reddix]
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