In continuation and celebration of a community tradition, the Brooksville DayStar Life Center Thrift Stores, all located at 7120 Hope Hill Road, are preparing for their 40th Anniversary Customer Appreciation Sale on Saturday, August 26th, from 9 am – 1 pm. And as guests tour and shop at the four thrift shop buildings at the same location, they can shop at discounted sales prices and win some great raffle prizes–in the process, helping people in need throughout Hernando County.
DayStar is a non-profit agency with a mission to assist the poor and needy of Hernando County with life’s basic needs: food and resource information. Its thrift store program donates all proceeds to a food pantry operating on the premises on Thursdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
“We’re on a mission to feed the hungry; it’s that simple,” said David Goodwin, director of the Brooksville DayStar Life Center Thrift Stores. “The bulk of the income needed to run the food pantry comes from our stores. The more sales we get, the better we do.”
DayStar Store buildings offer clothing for men, women and children, furniture, housewares and books/small appliances. A very popular Christmas Store opens in the Fall.
“We offer many of the same products you see in thrift stores, placed in four separate store buildings,” Goodwin said. “And even this time of year, as hot as it is outside, people are already asking when the Christmas store will open. People can buy all sorts of Christmas things at great prices.”
On Saturday, August 26th, each shopper who brings a bag of food or a monetary donation for the food pantry will receive a raffle ticket, qualifying them to win prizes from drawings conducted at 1 pm. Winners need not be present and should write their names and phone numbers on their tickets so that they may be contacted.
“This is our first sale in ten years and is a celebration of four decades in business. Where did the time go?” said Goodwin. “Shoppers should bring a bag of food or a cash donation and get ready for an amazing sale and a bunch of prizes.”
Each bag of food will be used to enhance the selection of goods offered through the DayStar food pantry, including spaghetti and meatballs, peanut butter, cereal, vegetables, fruit, tuna fish, pot-pies and much more. Any Hernando resident with an ID and a piece of mail (both of which can be used to prove their residency in the county) can use the pantry once a month. And although DayStar was started as a ministry of St. Anthony’s Church, people do not have to belong to the church to benefit from its pantry services.
“Food is food,” said Goodwin. “And the need for this food is greater than ever. People are working two or three jobs to get by, and it feels good to be able to help them. These families are so polite and thankful. They always say thank you.”
“It’s always nice at the end of the day to drive home knowing that you did something good,” he continued.
