OPEN FOR BUSINESS — Heather Cooper, left, manager of the recently reopened thrift store at the Brooke County Salvation Army Service Center, chats with Jonnie Filler, a volunteer who oversees the center. Proceeds from the store help the charity to provide a variety of assistance to local residents in need. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — While many are accustomed to seeing representatives of the Salvation Army ringing bells for donations outside local stores at Christmas, the charity’s work throughout the year often is not known, said Jonnie Filler, a volunteer who oversees the charity’s Brooke County Service Center.

But the center at 401 Commerce St. (state Route 2) is a busy place, especially during its weekly meal program and since the thrift store there has reopened.

Filler said the Salvation Army’s assistance through the center has ranged from providing assistance with utility bills to people with financial struggles to distributing cleaning supplies to many residents whose homes were flooded last spring.

“There are so many different programs. I don’t think people realize that,” she said.

Salvation Army Majs. Eric and Tonya Roberts oversee the Salvation Army’s operations there and in Hancock County.

Found at one end of the Brooke County Service Center near Commerce and Fourth streets, the thrift store is open from 9 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

It’s many racks and shelves are filled with previously owned clothing for various ages, from small children to adults, and assorted household items, from dishware to games and toys.

Heather Cooper, the store’s manager, noted it has been a popular source of affordable clothing for children, who often quickly outgrow their everyday clothes.

“I see a lot of grandmothers buying clothes for their grandchildren,” she said.

Filler said before it closed for a while around Christmas, the store included a room filled with many decorations for that holiday.

Noting it was one of the store’s most popular areas, she said, “Holiday items are a big thing.”

The store offers a 20 percent discount on certain items each day. The discounts apply to dishes, pots and pans on Tableware Tuesdays; shoes and purses on Wardrobe Wednesdays; bric-a-brac on Treasure Thursdays; and furniture on Furniture Fridays.

There’s also a 10 percent discount for seniors 50 and older or a 10 percent discount for all military veterans.

Filler said in addition to raising money for those aided by the Salvation Army, the store has supplied those individuals and families with clothing and other needs.

She noted adults in such families must present a birth certificate for each child in their care in addition to other documentation.

“We also have helped people who have lost everything in a house fire,” Fuller recalled.

While the thrift store has seen a great number of visitors in recent weeks, the kitchen at the service center’s other end has been serving hundreds for more than a year.

Each Thursday at noon, volunteers there have prepared free take-out lunches for as many as 100 people.

“There are times when we’ve hit 300,” said Fuller.

She said there are some men among the regulars who pick up meals for senior neighbors.

“We limit each person to four meals, then they must go to the back of the line,” said Fuller.

She explained all of the food is distributed until it’s gone and while, officially, the kitchen is open until 2 p.m., it may be out of food before that.

“Our girls in the kitchen — they’re ladies really — work very hard and are friendly,” said Fuller.

The kitchen’s volunteer crew has included Jerry Tustin, Judy Fowler, Sandie Hart, Lois Jones and Della Serevicz.

Entrees for the meals have ranged from stuffed peppers (one of Filler’s specialties) and spaghetti to turkey and noodles and beef stew.

Filler said the main and side entree for each week often is tailored around whatever food is in greatest supply at the center’s food pantry.

Most of the food stocked at the pantry goes to local residents in need, with about 100 households receiving canned food, pasta, cereal and other staples each week.

Those in need should call (304) 737-0071 for information.

Filler said in addition to being among charities supplied by the Mountaineer Food Bank, the Brooke County Salvation Army Center’s food pantry has been stocked through partnerships with local stores, grants secured by Salvation Army leaders and donations from area residents, churches and other groups.

She said donations of nonperishable food commonly found on most breakfast, lunch or dinner tables are greatly appreciated, while monetary donations allow the Salvation Army to provide fresh meats, poultry, bread and produce to those it aids.

Filler said out of concern for public safety, it can’t accept donations of perishable food from individuals or canned goods that have exceeded their expiration dates.

She said the thrift store welcomes donations of clothing and other items.

Filler stressed they can’t use clothes that are stained or torn, dishes that are chipped or any item that smells like smoke. She encourages anyone interested in donating furniture to call first to avoid making an unnecessary trip.

She added all donations should be made during the store’s regular hours.

She noted there have been times when furniture and other donations have been left outside and spoiled by rain, and the Salvation Army must pay for anything not usable to be discarded at a landfill.

Filler said the Wellsburg center has benefited from many volunteers, including members of its advisory board, who are willing to roll up their sleeves and do whatever needs to be done to help others.