Community Christian Twentyfive Cent Store quietly marks 40 years of service

For 40 years, the Community Christian’s Twentyfive Cent Store has been quietly serving Webster County, turning donated clothing and household goods into help for families who need it most.

The volunteers behind the store were hesitant to be quoted individually for this story. Their work, they said, is not about recognition, but service. Decisions are made collectively, and they prefer the focus remain on the community impact rather than on individual praise.

That impact has been substantial.

The thrift store, where most items still sell for just 25 cents, is on track to have given back between $85,000 and $90,000 this year alone. As of late fall, before final December totals were calculated, the store had already distributed approximately $87,000 in assistance and community support — a significant increase from last year’s total of just over $50,000.

One of the largest areas of need addressed this year has been utility assistance. Volunteers said approximately 80 families have received help paying utility bills. When additional needs arise, assistance may be extended through additional assitance, offered discreetly and at the discretion of volunteers.

Education was another major focus in 2025. The store regularly supports school lunch programs, Care to Learn and Project Graduation, but this year leaders said a larger portion of funds was directed toward schools in southern Webster County. Contributions included support for testing needs and other school programs. In addition, 10 college scholarships of $500 each were awarded.

Emergency assistance is another quiet but critical part of the store’s mission. Fire victims are allowed to select items free of charge to help replace what was lost, and volunteers recall families coming in immediately after house fires to gather basic necessities. In those moments, assistance goes beyond clothing to include essential items many people do not think about until they are suddenly gone.

While the store posts an annual summary showing where funds are distributed, many in the county may not know of every form of assistance offered.

“We like to keep things discrete,” one volunteer explained, noting the goal is to help those in genuine need while preserving dignity and avoiding overwhelming demand.

The store itself remains true to its original mission. Nearly all items — volunteers estimate 99.9 percent — are still priced at 25 cents. Prices are higher only for select newer items, antiques or nonessential goods. Volunteers describe it as a balance between “needs versus wants,” emphasizing that helping families clothe and feed their children always comes first.

Founded in 1985, the Twentyfive Cent Store began with a simple idea: make clothing affordable for families in need. What started in a small space has grown steadily through decades of volunteer service, donations and community trust. The organization later obtained its own nonprofit status and eventually purchased its current building in Fordland a decade ago.

Today, about 20 volunteers keep the store running. It operates as a board, with volunteers collectively deciding how funds are distributed. Many have served for years, some for decades, returning week after week without pay.

One volunteer, now 95 years old, still arrives early each morning, a testament to the dedication that has sustained the store for four decades. Others describe the work as a calling… A place where camaraderie, purpose and compassion intersect.

The store has also become a gathering place. Some shoppers come for the quarter-priced items, while others stay for hours, browsing, visiting or simply finding comfort in the space. Volunteers say it is not uncommon for people to return later down the road as donors, after having once relied on the store during difficult seasons of their lives.

With each donated item placed on the shelf, volunteers say they are mindful of what that quarter can become; a paid utility bill, heat for a home, food for a table or clothing for a child.

Community Christian Twentyfive Cent Store is tucked away in Fordland, quitely operating as a pillar for those in Webster County who need them most. Next closet clean-out, consider donating helpful items to a place that gives every cent back to our community.