MVAC (Minnesota Valley Action Council) Thrift & More Store now has a new manager! Tammy Gingles Baum took over as the new store manager ………. The Minnesota Valley Action Council is a private, non-profit organization that started in 1965 that uses federal, state and local resources to provide assistance wherever needed! The MVAC serves 9 counties including Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca & Watonwan. They have lots of different programs available for income based individuals in all communities in these counties. There is housing assistance, head start programs, fuel & heating assistance, and even grant loans available for lower income individuals. Tammy also shared that they often help those people in emergency situations, whether it be homelessness, an emergency where kids may need help and many other scenarios; if they can help they will, or they will find individuals the resources they need to get the help that they need. The Thrift & More store is run mostly off volunteers, which has been cut in half and then some since the pandemic. They do have a funded youth and senior program where they can hire youth who meet certain guidelines to give them work structure and employment experience, teaching them the what to do’s and don’t during employment, and gives retired seniors something to keep them busy and a little extra money in their pocket! The store has an abundance of items that they rotate out every month. What they can’t give away for free after that time they simply get rid of. They accept a variety of household items and clothing amongst many other things. The MVAC Thrift & More Store is located at 1607 S Broadway and their hours are M-F 10am-7pm; Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday Noon-5pm. Congratulations on your new position, Tammy! 

Photo Caption: Max Meine, South Point Financial; Tammy Gingles, MVAC Thrift & More Stores, Cathy Anderson, Alliance Bank.