Where do bargain hunters go for quality, low-cost clothing and goods in Vermont’s capital city? Beginning in November, Trinity United Methodist Church will be the location of a new option.

The Trinity Community Thrift Store will celebrate a grand opening on November 14 from noon to 5 pm. Montpelier’s first thrift store was the dream of Trinity Church member Paul Audy, who sees it as a response to the church’s passion for helping others, and a way for him to find his own place in outreach to others.

Trinity’s motto is “a place to begin, a place to belong, a place to become,” and Audy sees this as a description, both of his involvement in the church community, and of the store itself. “This is what I love to do, where I belong, and it helps people get what they need to hopefully improve their lives a bit,” he says.

Over the past few years, the church’s thrift sales have drawn huge numbers of donations and sales, reflecting a need in the community to find inexpensive sources for clothing and other items, and a desire to give gently-used goods new life.

Rev. Rebecca Clark, pastor of Trinity UMC, calls the project a win-win. “It gives Paul and others from the church an immediate and meaningful way of living out their passion and calling, and it meets a very real need in the Montpelier area,” Clark says. Beyond the free resources the church gives out, Clark believes that the having the option of a thrift store will be helpful for the community. “It’s very affirming for folks to be able to buy quality items at a price they can afford,” she says. “The store will be a tremendous way to help and empower others, and that’s really what loving God and our neighbors is all about.”

Audy agrees with that assessment. “Having a disability, I’ve benefitted all my life from the many people who have helped me,” he says. “This is my opportunity to say thank you to them, my chance to give back to the community I love. That’s God’s love in a nutshell.”

The Trinity Community Thrift Store will be open Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-4 and Saturdays 11-5. For more information, please contact Paul Audy at 371-8108.

Trinity Community Thrift Store workers and volunteers (from left) Becky Thompson, Brian Baker, Diadel Ortiz, Pastor Becca Clark, and Paul Audy gather at the rear entrance of Trinity United Methodist Church (photo by Marie Countryman).