Twice Blessed!
Some communities are blessed to have some kind of “hidden gem” outreach in or near them. My hope, by this article, is that we will support our local Christian outreach (if possible), benefit from it (if need be), or contribute time, talent, or treasure to the community as a Christian (especially if no “hidden gem” is near you). It’s all about caring. For inspiration, let’s look at Twice Blessed, one such gem, seeking to do God’s will!
The Fountain Church (in the small town of Bloomer, Wisconsin) was praying about whether to build an addition to their small church building, or what. God answered with a “what” that, to the natural mind, does not make sense. They were to commit to helping others, instead. So, in November of 2022, Twice Blessed, a mission of the Fountain Church Bloomer, opened. Now, after only a year, on Veterans Day, Twice Blessed celebrated their one-year anniversary with Veterans and is thankful for God’s guidance and provision. The benefits of that prayer, and obeying God’s reply, are extraordinary:
Generous monetary donations to help them get running were received from Fountain Church members, to which the community then pitched-in (there is also a “Giving Jar” on the check-out counter). Hundreds of boxes, bins, and bags “of love” were dropped off at their alley door (drop off during store hours, please). And, hard-working volunteers built, remodeled, worked to provide display shelving, cleaned, sorted, and displayed the donated items. What’s more, Twice Blessed was blessed to have an all-volunteer management and staff!
So, when you purchase an item or otherwise contribute somehow, what becomes of your contribution? Besides usually getting a deal on your purchase, the Twice Blessed flier states, “The Twice Blessed Resale Shop operates like any other thrift store, accepting donated goods and selling them to generate income. The income is first used to fund operating expenses for the business. All income earned in excess of the operating costs, will be used to fund needs of the community and other nonprofit organizations…”. Talk about putting every bit of your contribution to work!
All this affords reduced prices (many items only a dollar or two). Along with unique items, this contributes to a fun and affordable experience searching for bargains. Although a small shop, some of the items might include home goods, jewelry, clothing (infant-adult), small appliances, craft and office, sporting goods, toys, games, puzzles, books, DVDs, and more. Every day new items arrive. Side benefits include reusing and restoring items, recycling, and reducing debris in landfills.
Also, reduced operating costs affords Twice Blessed to put more into community needs. Some of the needs Twice Blessed addresses include help for folks after fires, health crisis, transportation needs, and financial burdens. Also, working with Veterans, back to school needs, foster parent support, and even students seeking prom formal attire, to name a few. Other community involvement includes gifts for assisted living residents, snacks and hot chocolate for Winter Parade, free dairy treats for customers (in cooperation with Farmers), Crazy Days, and more. (Other needed help, including confidential, is sometimes provided.)
Twice Blessed works side-by-side with churches, schools, community non-profits, local health and human services, and more. All these builds connections between people and provides a way to combine God-given talents and resources for the sake of the community. To illustrate this, behind the check-out desk is a painted wall mural of a Birch tree with branches and leaves that confidentially tells the story of how there is caring for the community together. Each leaf represents a donation, or act of kindness to support others in the area. (There are many leaves.)
Other blessings are the smiles, encouragement, friendship, sense of belonging, and support given to each other, the community, and those entering the store. It can be a blessing to give. It can be a blessing to receive. The community experiences the blessing of items restored to usefulness. Folks find a store they can now afford. Some folks even get a second start. – “Twice Blessed”!
Your method of helping your community might look completely different. -And that’s OK. Maybe you can only contribute to your community on occasion as an individual. But let’s begin like Fountain Church did, with prayer, let God lead, and see how He chooses to bless!
As each has received a gift, employ it in serving one another, as good managers of the grace of God in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
(Imagine this person as someone who honestly needs help, searching for your community outreach, as you watch this video clip. Think of the women, children, and families too!)
Twice Blessed is a mission of the Fountain Church of Bloomer, and the Twice Blessed Resale Shop is located at 1404 Main Street, Bloomer, Wisconsin 54724. Store hours at the time of writing are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-1.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/twiceblessedbloomer
email: twiceblessedbloomer@gmail.com
Phone: 1-715-438-2000
*Credits: Much of the information for this article was provided by Twice Blessed volunteer staff in the form of verbal description, printed flier, and copies of existing printed commentary, the authors of which were not printed, or seem content to be anonymous. Other information here is based on personal experience visiting Fountain Church, where I heard some of the story of Twice Blessed. More info still, was obtained by actually visiting the Twice Blessed Resale Shop, making purchases, and interacting with staff. My thanks to everyone at Fountain Church, everyone involved with Twice Blessed, and, of course, to God Himself!