Reaching out to those in need

Former pharmacy finds new life as thrift store

One day a woman stopped by just to “look around” and see what was going on at the former Mundy’s Pharmacy in Tyrone. She asked the volunteers working there a few questions, seemed pleased by their answers and then shared a heartwarming story about “Doc” Mundy. It seems that late one night her baby was sick and needed medicine; she didn’t know what to do so she called Doc at home – his number was listed in the phone book – he told her he’d be there as soon as he could get out of bed and meet her at his pharmacy.

“It seems every day we’re here working on the building, someone comes by and shares a story about Mr. Mundy and the pharmacy,” said Cathy Berggren, executive director of the Real Life Center, which opened a new thrift store at 92 Senoia Road in the heart of Tyrone on Dec. 1.

Berggren says the stories range from memories of the pharmacy as a gathering place for youth sports associations, community and business meetings, to more poignant memories of the pharmacy as a place to turn in hard times. When help was needed, the community knew Doc would do what he could to ease someone’s suffering. Whether that meant braving dirt roads in the midst of an ice storm to help someone who was injured or allowing someone who was sick or down on their luck to make their purchases on an improvised store credit – whether payment was ever received or not.

Lewis “Doc” Mundy smiles as he listens to Berggren recount the stories. He looks around at the fresh green paint, the racks of clothing sorted by sizes, stacks of households goods, furniture and toddler beds. Clearly pleased by what he sees, he said, “We like to feel that we were helping the community. Here you are using the building for the same thing. That part of it carries over.”

The new thrift store has already proven that it again will be a place where the community comes together with more than 1,000 volunteer hours already invested in renovating the space for the store. The financial support and in-kind donations of local businesses and individuals have made it possible for the store to meet its goal of opening on Dec. 1.

The purpose of the thrift store will follow in the footprints of Mundy’s Pharmacy as proceeds from the store will help provide additional financial support for clients of the Real Life Center, a non-profit organization that provides help for families and individuals who are going through an unexpected difficult circumstance.

“It’s good to see that it’s going to be used to help somebody,” Mundy said. Mundy’s Pharmacy operated in Tyrone from 1977 until 2004.

“The thrift store is about being good stewards of the extra ‘stuff’ that God continues to bless the center with and being able to convert those donations back into financial assistance to families in need. More and more we see families that need less of the ‘stuff’ and more help financially as they struggle to keep their homes, etc. during the difficult times. This is just one way we can help bring those dollars in,” Berggren said.

With the thrift store opening recently, volunteers will be needed on an ongoing basis to work in the store.

“We hope that not only will the thrift store provide additional funding for the Real Life Center - and ultimately families in our area - but that it will also be a great place for the community to get involved,” Berggren said. “We will also need your gently-used donations such as household items, clothing, furniture and kids items for the store.”

The Real Life Center helps families and individuals by giving them a means to cope with the financial, emotional and spiritual hardships of life. What sets the Real Life Center apart from other organizations that provide clothing, food and assistance to those in need is that the Real Life Center commits to walk alongside its clients for one full year while helping them through the trials of life with a custom-designed plan which specifically addresses the unique challenges of their situation.

Financial needs are one of the greatest ways the Real Life Center can assist its clients. Since the beginning of the year more than 1,500 families have accessed services through the organization, which include a food pantry, clothes closet, career help, financial counseling and budgeting, support groups, auto repair and mentoring. The Real Life Center distributes an average of 4,500 pounds. of food each month. The active caseload is 426 families.

The center provides a safe environment where each person can build relationships, receive encouragement, access needed assistance and obtain referrals to additional community resources. This collaboration of resources helps equip individuals and families to navigate through their situation.

Lowes, Wayne White Construction, Elias Hogan Homes, Sherwin Williams, Tiernan & Patrylo, Inc., Timeless Floors and SMC3 provided financial assistance to make the store opening a reality.

The Real Life Center was founded by Dogwood Church (formerly Braelinn Church) in 1998 and partners with additional churches, community organizations and businesses. There is no charge for its services, which are available to all persons without regard to race, income, gender, or religion.

For more information about the thrift shop, to volunteer to work in the store or for assistance from the Real Life Center contact Cathy Berggren at cberggren@reallifecenter.org or call the Real Life Center at 770-631-9334.

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