SACKS Hit 75-Year Mark

SACKS Resale Shop Manager Penny Woodmansee (left) and Virginia Hauser, Bradford Hospital Auxiliary executive director, show some of the merchandise variety filling the 26 Pine St. store.
(Photo Courtesy of BRMC)


By George Nianiatus, senior writer
Communications Department

In 1933 when Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd president and pledged to pull the U.S. out of The Depression, some forward-thinking Bradford women formed the Bradford Hospital Auxiliary and also a resale shop so people could find bargain-priced merchandise.

Seventy-five years later, the Auxiliary’s SACKS Resale Shop at 26 Pine St. is still going strong and carrying on the tradition of offering deals to people looking for nearly new or gently used clothing, furniture, household goods, books and computer equipment.

“We have a lot to offer people who are looking for well-priced deals,” says Virginia Hauser, Auxiliary executive director. Also, “We get regular donations which continually add to our inventory.”

SACKS has had a few different locations over the years on Kennedy, West Washington, Mechanic and Barbour streets before finally relocating to its current spot in 1998, says Mrs. Hauser, noting the Auxiliary purchased the building.

Each day SACKS staff and volunteers rearrange merchandise and fill shelves with newly donated items.

SACKS continues to play a pivotal role in serving the community’s needs, says Mrs. Hauser. Proceeds from the shop are part of one of the largest financial commitments the Auxiliary has made toward Bradford Regional Medical Center’s (BRMC) building fund in its entire history. After all these decades, the resale shop continues to attract a steady stream of customers.

“We have a lot of people who are on low income and they find our prices suit them,” explains Penny Woodmansee, SACKS manager. SACKS has a cross-section of clientele, however. “The shop is not just for the needy in town. We have a lot of really nice merchandise donated to us that will meet anyone’s tastes,” notes Beverly Gallup, Auxiliary president. “We have professional men and women who are looking for nice work clothes.” For example, “We’ve carried beautiful suede jackets, Pendelton suits and even prom dresses,” adds Mrs. Gallup. There’s clearly one common thread to the people who shop at SACKS, says Mrs. Woodmansee. “The people who come in here are exceptionally nice.”

About the only time there’s a lull at SACKS is during the summer when people are on vacation and after Christmas. Otherwise, “We’re generally busy,” Mrs. Woodmansee says.

“Right now, we’re switching over to winter clothes. And it won’t take any advertising for people to find out. It spreads by word of mouth,” she notes.
Word also has circulated about the added assistance available to the needy as winter approaches.

A few months ago a $500 grant from the United Way of the Bradford Area was awarded to the Auxiliary’s SACKS to provide clothing vouchers to three local organizations seeking to help needy individuals. Clothing vouchers in equal amounts went to the YWCA of Bradford, Catholic Charities and the American Red Cross. These local organizations then give the vouchers to people with clothing needs, explains Mrs.
Hauser. The clothing vouchers are given to individuals deemed eligible by the YWCA, Catholic Charities or the Red Cross.

“We have clothing vouchers for needy people. They can get clothing for themselves and their children,” notes Mrs. Woodmansee. Operating hours at SACKS are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and starting Sept. 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about SACKS, call 368-6186 or go online at www.brmc.com.

As evidence of its longstanding work over the decades, the Auxiliary donated more than $67,000 to BRMC last year. The Auxiliary also has pledged $300,000 toward BRMC’s “Building the Future” capital campaign. This campaign, now in its third year through the Bradford Hospital Foundation, has raised $5 million toward its $6 million goal.