For people transitioning into a new home, having basic furniture, clothing and household items can make all the difference. That’s where the Erie United Methodist Alliance’s Rainbow Connection Thrift Store comes in.<\/p>\n
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Just a few months ago, Kimsten Lucas was looking for the items he needed to turn a house into a home. The Erie United Methodist Alliance became a lifeline.<\/p>\n
“They helped me get the furniture for my house. They helped me get clothing. They helped me decorate my house. They did everything I needed. They got the pots, the pans for the house,” Lucas said.<\/p>\n
In addition to providing resources and services to Erie\u2019s homeless population, the EUMA and Rainbow Connection Thrift Store offers clothing, kitchen supplies, furniture and other household goods.<\/p>\n
Today, Lucas works at the thrift store, helping others learn about the same resources that helped him.<\/p>\n
“I’m working for them. I’m helping them out like with this. Helping them show other people that it works,” Lucas said. “They helped me in a fast, quick rate. I wasn’t expecting everything to come together this fast.”<\/p>\n
People can also use vouchers from other organizations to purchase clothing, kitchen supplies and household items, just as Lucas did.<\/p>\n
“I wasn’t expecting this much kindness. It became more fun than them just helping me. But it became more like friends and family,” Lucas said.<\/p>\n
The EUMA’s mission is to help others as Jesus would, and the organization continues that work with support from the Erie community.<\/p>\n
“We are just so grateful for all those who donate to EUMA’s Rainbow Connection Thrift Store,” Kurt Crays, the Executive Director said.<\/p>\n
That community support was especially evident during Erie Gives Day, when more than $136,000 was raised for the Erie United Methodist Alliance.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit uses that support to provide services, resources and assistance to people experiencing homelessness throughout the Erie community.<\/p>\n
The thrift store is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Buffalo Road. It’s also where people can learn more about the organization’s voucher assistance program.<\/p>\n