"ABC shop profits help Guiding Star Ministries offer single pregnant women an alternative to abortion," explained ministries chairperson Patricia Ann Dowling.
"The Lord has used the shop to provide clothing, baby furniture and household items for our families at a fraction of the retail cost," continued Dowling.
A Winchester Park resident, the 45-year-old Dowling has four children of her own and a new pet puppy the family calls Gomer. She's been a full-time Guiding Star staff member since 1980.
Since its inception, Guiding Star Ministries has opened residences in Bensalem, Glenside, and Oak Lane for pregnant women, single mothers and their children. It's a non-profit ministry open to believers of all faiths.
Dowling, a Roman Catholic, works alongside members of mainstream Presbyterian and Lutheran Churches to convince single pregnant women to have their babies.
"We do it all on a shoe string," said Dowling.
Thrift shop volunteer Terry Noble shares Dowling's concerns over abortion. Both women are adamantly opposed to the procedure.
"But if you tell a woman in crisis abortion is wrong, you have an obligation to help care for that baby before, and after, it's born," Noble explained.
So in addition to sheltering single-parent families, Guiding Star Ministries provides them with basic necessities through its ABC Treasurers thrift shop.
But customers don't have to be pregnant, nor in special need. The shop is a community resource, and neighbors are encouraged to drop in and browse.
For Constance Cannon, the Guiding Star thrift shop is a God-send."I buy at $3 quality used dresses for my six-year-old Tiffany which would sell new at the mall for $19.99," explained Cannon.
She lives across the avenue from the shop, and also picks up clothing there for her eight-year-old, Joseph, and nephew, Frankie Cannon.
Over the weekend, Cannon purchased 50-cents a pair corduroy overalls that she said would fetch "$15.99 new" for Frankie at a kiddy clothing store.
