Grande Cache United thrift store supports church and community through donations and outreach

The idea of holding monthly garage sales in the basement of Grande Cache (Alta.) United Church began over a decade ago with a simple goal: sell donated items, attract people to the church, and raise funds for the small congregation. The congregation had little expectation of success, but the initiative proved to be more than they anticipated.

Carol Burrill, who manages the church’s thrift store, recalls the initial skepticism. One minister even doubted the project’s viability in such a small town. However, the sales were so successful that the church decided to establish a permanent store. “It’s just grown so much. It’s unbelievable,” Burrill says.

The store offers a wide range of donated items, including clothing, housewares, books, toys, and home décor. These goods have become especially valuable for newcomers to the community, including recent immigrants who often arrive with few possessions. “A lot of new people come in and get a lot of housewares because they come in with nothing,” Burrill explains.

Beyond providing essential goods, the store serves as a place of connection and support. Volunteers have helped individuals in need, such as a couple who arrived without warm clothing or a place to stay. They were given clothes and connected with a local organization that arranged temporary housing and transportation. The store has also become a gathering place where people come not only to shop but also to engage in conversation and build relationships.

The thrift store has attracted a diverse group of volunteers, many of whom are not members of Grande Cache United. Volunteers come from other churches and even other countries, including China, Japan, Ukraine, Poland, and India. “It’s a real mixer,” Burrill says. “We learn lots of things from them, about their countries and their life.”

As the store has grown, it has also become a vital source of financial support for the wider community. After the Jasper wildfire in 2024, the store donated a month of sales revenue to relief efforts. It has also contributed to the community’s four schools, helping to introduce more families to the store.

Burrill emphasizes that the thrift store is one of the ways Grande Cache United has been able to sustain itself. “It keeps our church going now,” she says. “We’re very grateful for the support it provides.”

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