Affordables is a nonprofit resale store open to the public and sells clothing, household items, furniture, and more. The Bethany Life Foundation operates the Affordables Thrift Store helping to provide funds to support the mission and strengthen the Bethany Life Communities. Affordables is operated primarily through volunteer support.
We aim to provide the community, and surrounding communities, the opportunity and place to donate clothing and household goods. We serve our community, and surrounding communities, by providing a place to shop for reasonably priced, gently used items. All the proceeds go back to Bethany Life to help us provide compassionate care.
Affordables would be nothing without its amazing volunteers. Since opening we have had more than 40 volunteers help us and we are always looking for more motivated people to volunteer. Volunteers deal with the unique circumstances of receiving donations. The volunteer trains others on sorting procedures, organizes the warehouse, greets donors, and evaluates donation acceptance. If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Affordables, please fill out the information below and we will contact you!
Winter of 2005 – Discussion began about the creation of Affordables in response to the need of proceeds for Bethany Life.
Spring of 2005 – A store committee was formed.
Spring of 2005 – A lease to be a part of the Scandia Center was signed.
Spring of 2005 – Began work to set up the store.
June 2005 – The doors to Affordables were opened and donations began coming in.
March 2010 – Napa Buildings were purchased and many volunteers helped clean and remodel the building.
June 2010 – A new store was opened.
2011 – Net proceeds were $75,000.00.
2012 – Affordables presented a check to Bethany Life for $90,000.00.
Winter 2024 – Affordables relocated and moved from 630 Pennsylvania Avenue to 618 Broad Street.
Affordables opened with the following people: Denice Reisetter, Larry Elphic, Olive Sampson, Bev Christenson, Mary Beck, Lorna Hoversten, Frances Enger, Pat Minnick, Joyce Knutson, Dalene Patterson, Doris Mathre, Shriley Stakey, Pat Matheason, Dorothy Guhl, Dell Wright, Nancy Lankford, Virginia Solberg, Pat Twedt, Dorothy Applegate, Alma Carlson, Dorothy Flygstad, and Rosiland Hess.
Amanda Dewein is the Store Manager and Volunteer Coordinator for Affordables. She deals with day-to-day operations of the store, the warehouses, and providing supervision and support to the volunteers. She words closely with the Foundation Board, The Foundation Director, the management team, and volunteers to meet the evolving needs of the organization. She also arranges group volunteering and volunteer recognition efforts.
