For those seeking deals on clothes and household items, the thrift store operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Butler Township is an obvious destination. But the success of the store means the society has much more to offer than just bargain shopping.

A Catholic lay organization devoted to serving the needy and suffering, the society uses increasing proceeds from the store and donations from the community to support a food bank, client aid programs and donations to private causes in Butler County.

The client aid program offers assistance to the homeless, handicapped, ailing, and abused. It also assists clients with insurance and collection negotiations with utility companies and landlords.

"Bargain hunters, antique lovers and thrifty shoppers benefit from the store's array of items," said Pete Bartoli, a member of the operating committee, of the used clothing, games, books and small furniture offered for sale in the store at the Greater Butler Mart on Route 8.

"The store generates the revenue that in turn supports the society's mission," he added. Their motto is "No work of charity is foreign to the society. Need, not creed, determines who is helped and how."

Within the last year, the Butler society has served 5,153 residents and logged well over 5,000 service hours ministering to the needs of those living in Butler County, he said.

"Since we opened the store and up to present, we have more than doubled our ability to help the needy with our client aid program," he added.

Bartoli explained the thrift store moved to its current location on Route 8 in October 2003. "The change from our North Elm Street location was made so we could have more exposure, modernize our operation and have ample parking," he added."There are between six and 10 volunteers here every day to distribute the boxes or bags of food to the clients. There is constant growth in the need for this aid," Bartoli went on.The society is also a part of the Tuesday Community Dinner program at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church's Glenn Hall, he said.Local churches, businesses and organizations donate much of the food, said Bartoli. "We also have to purchase anywhere from $500 to $1,500 per month from Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to supplement our needs," he said.He acknowledges that nothing would be possible without the generosity of the Butler County churches, businesses, organizations and individuals whose contributions are critical to the ability to meet the growing needs.While thrift store business has doubled since the move, so have the needs in Butler County. "We have seen a huge increase in the needs residents have,"said FredMcClaine,president of St. Vincent de Paul. "For whatever reason, job layoffs or loss and with the flood this year, we were helping victims replace lost goods"McClaine oversees the day-to-day operations of the society in Butler. He is a volunteer like many others who serves quietly to preserve the dignity of those in need."The calls for help never end," he said.Maj. Robert Carney, corps officer of the Salvation Army in Butler, concurs with McClaine on the ever-growing need. "We have people in here daily and the need continues to increase," said Carney. At the Salvation Army, the needs have increased more than 20 percent and the clientele has changed a bit.

"We don't see as many destitute and homeless individuals as one might think. Most of our clients are hard-working folks on a fixed income that can't seem to make the ends meet," he said."Increase in what things cost is growing more rapidly than salaries," he added, noting that all of the charitable organizations, including St. Vincent de Paul, are endeavoring to fill the gaps between the cash people are bringing home and what they need to put food on the table."None of us could do without the generous donations from people and churches in Butler County," said Carney. "Sometimes it merely takes a case of the flu to run up more bills than you can pay after a doctor visit and prescription medicine."Fred Just, executive director of Society of St. Vincent de Paul Pittsburgh Council, said he is delighted with the success and growth of the Butler society. "As the needs grow it is paramount that those meeting the need can expand and grow as well," said Just.In the early 1940s, the St. Vincent de Paul Society set up shop in the basement of St. Michael School on South Monroe Street. Growing due to the participation of 10 parishes in Butler County, the ButlerCouncil ofSt. Vincent de Paul was formed. It is responsible for all the finances and operation of the thrift store and food bank.To accommodate its recent growth, the society needs a warehouse with about 5,000 square feet to meet additional needs for space and storage of items for their clients.The society is also seeking new volunteers to help man the thrift store and the food bank. "Just a few hours a day or a few hours per week can make a big difference in someone's life," said Bartoli.For more information or to make a donation, call the thrift store at 724-287-0232 or the St. Vincent de Paul at 724-287-3994.