They're on a mission to minister to Millersville.

Mission Thrift Shop, a ministry of Millersville Community Church, donated a total of $8,300 to local charities in December. "It's extremely important because the monies are going back to a lot of the groups that are within our church, number one, but also within the Millersville community," said secretary Julie McMurtrie. "(The shop) also offers a lot of people in the surrounding areas items that they could purchase at a very low cost, and that's very helpful for them, especially if they're homeless or in need."

Mission Thrift Shop has aided Loft Community Partnership; The Hub, which serves the college students at Millersville University; Columbia Food Bank; Millersville Area Meals on Wheels; Lumina; VisionCorps; Vickie's Angels; Penn Manor Family Fund; The Cottage; the Library System of Lancaster County; the Preschool Express; Glad Tidings Home; and My Brother's Keeper.

"We appreciate all of the support, because we wouldn't be able to keep this going if we didn't have the donations," said McMurtrie. "We take all kinds of clothing all year round, winter, summer, spring, fall - clothes, coats, men's and women's suits. We take things for children and babies. We just don't take large furniture, but we can try to take some baby furniture and smaller items to put out. Then we also have a boutique area if we get items that are donated that are higher end and are priced a little bit higher. Overall, we're very reasonably priced for anything when it comes to clothing, baby toys, books and puzzles, and knickknacks and dishes."

McMurtrie said the shop does not discard any items that are donated. "For instance, any sheets and towels and blankets that we get that have stains, they'll go to a pet rescue," she said. "The denims, any torn clothing, will be shredded and recycled. We have shoes and sandals and slippers that we're not able to keep out in the thrift shop. And they will go to Soles4Souls. Everything that we get is either going out into the community or we keep here in the thrift shop and try and sell it."

Lois Raymond has been volunteering since shortly after the shop opened in 1988. "It's been great," she said. "I've enjoyed meeting a lot of customers that come in here, and the people that work here really are great to work with. It's just a great thing to do, helping people that really can't afford to get a lot of these things."

Treasurer Cheryl Zegers noted, "Our mission is to help other ministries financially. We are grateful for all those who contribute their gently used items and for those who come and buy them. We are also grateful for the many volunteers who help this thrift shop to run smoothly and would welcome anyone who would like to join our Mission family."

To volunteer, call the Millersville Community Church office at 717-872-4571.

Mission Thrift Shop, located at 163 W. Frederick St., Millersville, is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.