MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Service members, retirees and military families on Camp Pendleton have the opportunity to shop for clothes and household items for a price.
The Thrift Shop, which is a part of the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, sells uniforms, civilian attire, toys for children and small household items at a low price.
Clothing is available to all ages and is affordably priced. All merchandise sold at the store is gently used, said Roxann Clouse, deputy director, Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Camp Pendleton office.
Everything in the store is donated by individuals who want to help the military, she said.
“This is another way to give back to the service members and military families other than providing emergency funds,” said Clouse.
Service members and military families can utilize the Thrift Shop as an outlet to save money.
“Children clothes are a great deal because they grow out of them so quickly,” she said. When shopping for children's garments, an individual can easily spend $10 to $20 on an article from a store, but at the Thrift Shop, they can spend as little as 50 cents per item.
The shop not only saves money for individuals, but all of the funds raised by the store also go to the NMCRS. The funds help pay for emergency loans and grants the NMCRS provides to service members who are in need of assistance. The funds also help pay for organizations supported by NMCRS, Clouse said.
“The Thrift Shop depends on volunteers, they run the store,” Clouse said. The shop is only open Tuesday and Thursday because of how many volunteers are available.
“We are always looking for volunteers to help out,” she said. “The more volunteers we have, the more possibilities we have of accommodating to the needs of service members and their dependents.”
Individuals do not have to donate their entire week to the store, even an hour a week can make a difference, she said.
“We have active-duty Marines and sailors volunteer during their lunch time,” Clouse said.
The shop will make arrangements for units and individuals who want to volunteer their time to the store, she explained.
Individuals interested in volunteering their time should contact the Chairman of Volunteers for NMCRS at (760) 725-5337 and if planning to donate items to the shop, contact the Thrift Shop at (760) 725-1800.