SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE BURIED IN CLOTHING

Sybl Depro sorted through 200 pairs of new, name-brand shoes donated to the Salvation Army Thrift Store. It was a plum gift for the store and shoppers who waited Wednesday morning to get their pick.

Behind Depro, a mountain of black plastic bags filled with assorted clothing items also waited.

The mound had arrived at the thrift store, 402 S. Sprigg, the day before and was stacked in the front room of the store.

"We have nowhere to go with this," said Nancy McIntyre, assistant manager. "We are just overwhelmed at this point."

The Salvation Army Thrift Store is experiencing a donation crisis and has asked that people refrain from making clothing donations for the next two weeks.

"I've been here 14 years," Depro said. "This happens every summer."

At the end of the summer season, people clean out their closets and take clothes, shoes, belts and purses to the Salvation Army. In addition, garage-sale leftovers are taken to the thrift store.

But this summer the mound of donations has overwhelmed staff and volunteers. They need a respite to try to clean up the shop.

"We're kind of between a rock and a hard place," said McIntyre. "We appreciate the donations people bring. Without the community backing, we wouldn't be here. We're just in a bind right now."

Over the weekend piles of items were deposited outside the building. Before the store could open Monday morning, people rummaged through the donations, leaving items strewn across the parking lot.

Store employees and volunteers rounded up as many items as possible and took them inside to be sorted for resale or donation to needy people.

In addition to these items, at least four loads of items were taken to the dump.

"Sometimes we have trash, literally garbage," McIntyre said. "I just don't understand that. We also get junk, broken furniture with no legs or used appliances that don't work."

These items can't be resold or given to anyone and are taken to the dump.

McIntyre said during a two-week donation break, volunteers will be sorting through stockpiles of donations in the basement.

"We're looking for the best things to use here locally," McIntyre said.

Other items will be sent to the Salvation Army in St. Louis, which has a larger store and staff.

Volunteer help is needed.

"We can always use volunteers," McIntyre said. "We have regular volunteers who have been very faithful. Right now we could use some additional help."

People or groups interested in helping can contact the thrift store at 335-1750 or the Salvation Army headquarters at 335-7000.

"We look forward to accepting donations again after this two weeks," McIntyre said. "We don't want people to stop making donations; we just need a little time to catch up."