Inside Rhode Island church a thrift shop run by volunteers thrives

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Tucked away inside a Broad Street church is a thrift shop run exclusively by volunteers.

The Open Table of Christ United Methodist Church offers gently used clothing and household goods to Rhode Islanders in need through its so-called “Open Closet.”

Clarice Gothberg, 91, told NewsNation affiliate WPRI she’s been volunteering at the church for more than 16 years.

“It’s an expression of my faith,” Gothberg explained. “It gets me up in the morning.”

Gothberg also loves making new friends and spending time with them, especially those who are younger than her.

“If you hang out with younger people, you stay younger,” she quipped.

Open Table as a whole is designed to foster a sense of community, according to Gothberg.

“The world is in chaos and we want this place to be where people can respect each other and care for each other,” Gothberg said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from or who you are, you should be treated with dignity.”

Gothberg said the church is an integral part of the neighborhood.

“This is a place where you can come in and buy things, but if you need it for free, you can get it for free,” she explained. “We think it is important that, if something costs a dollar, it’s nice to be able to pay the dollar rather than think you’re getting charity. But we give lots of things out for free.”

Gothberg said the youngest volunteer at Open Table is 69 years old.

“I’m the oldest, but most of the volunteers are in their 70s or 80s,” Gothberg said, adding that Open Table is in the process of training younger volunteers as well.

“We’re not going to be here forever,” she continued. “If we don’t get people excited about helping others, then these things will die.”

The church isn’t just home to Open Closet. It’s also home to Project Outreach , which feeds roughly 300 families each week.

“We get most of our food from the Rhode Island Community Food Bank ,” she noted.

The Rhode Island Interfaith Counseling Center , which provides assistance to those who are struggling, is based out of the church as well.

Gothberg has experienced her own challenges throughout her life, including getting hit by a car while crossing the street outside the church.

“I had back surgery and laid low for a little while,” she explained. “But then I said, ‘Well soon it won’t be a broken back, it will be a broken mind and a broken spirit.'”

That’s why she made it a point to return to Open Table as soon as she possibly could.

“It’s more important to do what you’re able to do rather than go home and sit in a chair and watch television,” Gothberg said. “It’s better to change the world where you are.”

Gothberg doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon, because she believes wholeheartedly that only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.

“That’s what it’s all about,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you come from … You love. That’s just what you do.”

Anyone interested in donating to Open Table can do so online . Those who want to volunteer can call (401) 941-2212 or swing by anytime between 9 a.m. and noon Wednesday through Sunday for more information.

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