Thrift in Jackson

The Salvation Army opened a new thrift store on East Jackson Boulevard in Jackson on April 29. The store is only the organization's second in Southeast Missouri, the other opening in Cape Girardeau in 1994.

Jackson does not have many residents who are living in poverty, but the Salvation Army points out that many people are looking for bargains -- especially young families with growing children.

The new Jackson store makes good business sense. Sandra Trapp, the longtime Salvation Army volunteer who is managing the Jackson store, said the organization noticed that a number of people were driving to the Cape Girardeau store from Jackson and from as far away as Marble Hill.

Trapp says the response from Jackson has been very positive.

Nationally, the Salvation Army received more than $3 billion in donations and contributions in 2003. It provided services to 33 million people that year.