Watered Gardens opens new, improved Worth Shop and Thrift Store

Watered Gardens Gospel Rescue Mission celebrated the ribbon cutting of their new, larger Worth Shop and Thrift Store Thursday. James Whitford is the executive director and tells Newstalk KZRG this project has been in the works for over two years and thanks to more than $100,000 in generous donations.

The Worth Shop offers an opportunity for the poor and homeless to be creative and endeavor to build products that go to market. The purchase of Worth-Shop items in the community are reminding the “least of these” that they have something to offer, that they have the ability to earn and that they have worth. “We want to provide a shopping experience for people who are actually willing to earn something that they need,” said Whitford.

The new space is 6000 square feet, compared to 900 square feet at the previous location. He adds that they new building is a much more open area and will be beneficial on many aspects for those using it. They have started doing metal recycling to craft them into jewelry, which required more space.

Whitford says people can get involved and earn by getting involved with their Redeem Bean Coffee business and by making leather products, mainly journals. “To start with work on the front end helps us with longer term outcome of employment in the long run and that’s really important,” said Whitford. “Right now, of the people that come into our mission, 61% of them leave with employment somewhere in the community.”

It’s located at 513 South Grand Avenue in Joplin. The Worth Shop is open 9 AM to 2 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.