The St. Vincent de Paul Owensboro thrift store received a recent facelift with a new color scheme outside, and upgrades to its interior. COURTESY OF SVDP
St. Vincent de Paul thrift stores remain beacons of hope
BY BELINDA ABELL, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is proud to operate some of the oldest thrift stores throughout western Kentucky. The Society continually works to maintain an up-to-date, pleasing and modern atmosphere in their retail spaces.
This past year, the two SVdP superstores saw significant renovations to their retail spaces. After many years of planning, the Paducah store was able to expand its retail space to include a designated furniture area by moving its Helpline Assistance Program into a separate building. The Owensboro location saw significant renovations last year to both the exterior and interior. Through the generosity of donors, they now have new flooring and more than 350 LED lights installed.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is also proud of the many changes made at the Henderson thrift store. Their Vincentians are excited to offer a greater shopping experience. The Madisonville thrift store recently celebrated its 50th year. The Lewisport store continues to offer low-cost items and assists neighbors in need throughout Hancock County. The Whitesville store continues to grow and will soon need additional retail space to serve the needs of shoppers and donors.
All stores offer new and gently-used clothing, home décor, kitchenware, small electrical appliances, bedding, and furniture at reduced prices.
“I love shopping at St. Vinnie’s; I always can stretch my dollars here,” said one shopper.
“By donating new and gently used items, you are allowing us to pass on these cost savings to our shoppers,” said diocesan council president, James Dale.
Currently, this Catholic lay organization, founded in 1833, operates six thrift stores in western Kentucky. Each thrift store is locally operated and governed by its local volunteer-led conference or council.
Diocesan council CEO, Richard B. Remp-Morris, said, “Every day, on average we have four hundred people donate goods to our six thrift store locations. Every year, we serve approximately 15,000 customers throughout western Kentucky. With that said, we believe our thrift stores are a vital part of who we are, allowing us to carry out our mission. On the opposite side of every purchase is an individual or family struggling to make ends meet. Whether you are donating items or purchasing them you are fighting homelessness and food insecurity because 100% of the proceeds support our programs and services.”
Remp-Morris added, “We are extremely grateful for our donors and shoppers we are humbled they trust St. Vincent de Paul.”
To learn more about our thrift stores and SVdP, visit svdpwky.org.
Belinda Abell is the external affairs director for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Diocesan Council of Western Kentucky, Inc.
Originally printed in the March 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
