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Bethany Lutheran Church's Free Store in Escanaba provides household goods to community members in need. Rodney Spence, the church's property manager and custodian, left, stands with Patti Palzewicz, the church's 1,000th customer, who received a surprise gift certificate to Elmer’s County Market. (Courtesy photo)

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The Free Store at Bethany Lutheran Church in Escanaba provides household goods, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, baby products and more to people in need. In this photo taken this Tuesday, volunteers work to stock the shelves of the store. (Courtesy photo)

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ESCANABA – The Bethany Lutheran Free Store on Tuesday reached a milestone of 1,000 total households served. The lucky thousandth shopper was presented with a surprise gift certificate to Elmer’s County Market.

The Free Store has been operating as a ministry of Bethany Lutheran Church since March 2022, providing household goods such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, baby products and more to people in need. Monetary donations are always welcome, and Bethany thanks the community for its support of the Free Store over the past four years.

The Bethany Lutheran Free Store is open on the first Tuesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Shoppers who bring a reusable bag will also receive an extra item each month.

Anyone in need is welcome to visit Bethany Lutheran on the church’s designated shopping days and get registered. The store does not have any income requirements to apply.