Thrift store uses profits to support Brunswick County students

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — The Communities in Schools store is now open in Leland but this thrift shop is about so much more than just finding a good deal.

Joining locations in Boiling Spring Lakes, Southport, and Sunset Beach the new CIS store is all about supporting kids in Brunswick County.

“What we do is we provide funding for our dropout recovery programs and prevention programs, for our teen court, our peer court, for all of our student services programs,” said Karen Parker the director of development for Communities in Schools in Brunswick County.

Donations of everything from clothing to shoes and accessories to housewares are for sale at discounted prices.

“All of our money goes back into the schools,” said Catherine Whitley the lead manager.

As Leland continues to grow, Mayor Brenda Bozeman said the need for community programs like the CIS store becomes more and more important.

“When a town grows you have all types of people. You have a diversity of all incomes and you need a little bit of everything for everyone,” Bozeman said.

She adds that is what she hopes this store provides for the town, whether through the goods they sell of through the programs they support.