St. Vincent de Paul: Bargains from the heart

September 6, 2018

By Ed Byrne The Brillion News

Hilbert thrift store marks 20 years of charity

HILBERT – For 20 years, the St. Vincent de Paul Society Thrift Store in Hilbert has been making sure that God’s gifts do not go to waste.

It is called a mission of stewardship, and the store takes in “used but not used up” items as donations and gives them a new life and a new home.

The store has clothing, household goods and furniture – with a separate building for used furniture.

It is the work of volunteers whose labor is an expression of faith, putting present day resources to their best possible use.

The Hilbert thrift store was started by Ann and Chuck Peters, and Father Rallen Stencil, who was pastor of St. Mary Help of Christian Church in Hilbert at the turn of the century.

“They are the instigators of this place, along with Father Stencil,” said Mark Schneider, the current president.

Nearly everything that comes into the store is dropped off by donors. Store volunteers will pick up large furniture items.

The best guideline for donations? Just ask yourself if you would want the item.

“We are not a dump site,” Schneider said. “We are looking for good used stuff.”

The patron saint

Vincent de Paul, who died in 1660, was a Roman Catholic priest, living in France, who dedicated himself to serving the poor. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and, surprisingly, also in the Anglican Communion (the Episcopal Church). He was canonized in 1737, renowned for his compassion, humility and generosity.

His philosophy was “Let all things be done with charity.”

His followers in Hilbert take that to heart.

Please see the complete version of this story in the September 6, 2018 edition of The Brillion News.