WESTBY, Wis. – The community is invited to celebrate Bethel Butikk’s 20th anniversary of service and attend the grand re-opening of their newly-remodeled Thrift Shop. On Saturday, June 1, 2024, there will be a 20th Anniversary Party & Grand Re-Opening event held at Bethel Butikk, 341 Black River Ave, Westby, from 9 a.m. to noon. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. with light refreshments provided.
Bethel Home & Services, a non-profit 501(c)(3), has served community members through its three-in-one community service program, Bethel Butikk (Norwegian for “Boutique”), for 20 years. The program vision was brought to life by the late Pastor Gary Daines and continues to provide sustenance, shelter, support and prayer for community members. The Bethel Butikk program includes 1. a food pantry, 2. a thrift shop, and 3. financial assistance.
Donated clothing and household goods are sold in Bethel Butikk Thrift Shop at affordable prices. After the building’s expenses are paid, proceeds are divided with 90% benefitting the Food Pantry and Mission Assistance efforts and 10% being utilized for the program’s capital projects.
The most recent project funded by capital dollars is the Thrift Shop re-model which is currently taking place. In an effort to best serve shoppers, improvements are being made to the Thrift Shop space including deep cleaning, removal of closet walls, partial flooring updates, freshened paint and, perhaps most notably, re-organization of merchandise. The Thrift Shop is closed May 21-31 to allow for the bulk of the renovations to be completed by the June 1 grand re-opening and celebration event.
“We’re thrilled to strategically make updates to our Thrift Shop space that will allow customers from all walks of life to shop with us and in turn support their fellow community members,” Courtney Havel, Bethel Butikk program coordinator, said. “It is incredible to see the numerous ways Bethel Butikk has blessed countless lives throughout its first 20 years, and it’s exciting to look to the future as the program continues to grow and serve.”
Thanks to Thrift Shop proceeds, volunteers, support from partnering organizations and generous donors, the Foundation Mission Assistance program gifted more than $139,000 to 487 families in need during the 2023 calendar year. Additionally, the Food Pantry distributed more than 90,000 lbs. of food to over 4,600 people from 31 different zip codes. People in need of help paying bills such as utilities are welcome to complete an application requesting financial assistance. Application forms are available at Bethel Butikk and via mail or email.
Join Bethel Butikk on Saturday, June 1 to commemorate its 20th anniversary milestone, and help celebrate as the program re-opens its Thrift Shop and enters its next decade of service. For more information about this event, hours of operation and the latest happenings of the program, follow Bethel Butikk on Facebook.
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