Sixty-year-old store serving the poor still doing well in Ardmore

Christ gave specific instruction to help the poor in Matthew 25. They are the foundation for the Catholic Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy.

The Saint Mary Thrift Store in Ardmore has been surviving world events such as 9/11 and COVID, to continue its work of serving the poor of Ardmore regardless of race, religion, color or creed.  

This program, relying strictly on volunteers from Saint Mary Catholic Church for nearly 60 years, has helped serve the poor through proceeds of the shop, which is open to the public. The store has had multiple locations in downtown Ardmore, currently sitting at 30 North Washington Street.

When the store was started by the Women’s Club of Saint Mary Catholic Church, it was a requirement that the store be located downtown and visible to the community.

Kay Widhelm, store manager, and her staff work one day a week collecting and pricing donations for the store. The store does not accept TV’s or large appliances, due to space limitations. High demand items are clothes, linens, pots and pans, accessories and other items.

At the end of each quarter, Widhelm and her staff send the profits from the store to three different local non-profit charities in the community. There are 12 local charities who receive profits during the year.

Trish Maher’s family has been involved in volunteering at the thrift store during the span of operation. 

“My grandmother, my mother, my sisters and I have volunteered at the store,” she said. “I think over the years, the store has given away more than 1,000 free rosaries. Also in over 60 years, I don’t think our local parish has ever financially had to assist the Thrift Store.”

“God has blessed the business with great leadership and management.” 

And the store has blessed others.

“The Saint Mary Thrift Store generously cares for those in need by honoring vouchers supplied to clients by multiple agencies in town so they can obtain clothing or needed household goods,” said Scott Dempewolf, who works at the local Catholic Charities office.

Store volunteer Agnes Wells said, “I have so much compassion for the people who come in the store. It could have been me. I want to help those people who come in the store so much.”

 For more information about donations, volunteering or helping the Saint Mary Thrift Store contact [email protected].

Charles Albert is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.