Thrift Store Promises Furniture For Food

Want a couch?

Buy a turkey.

That's the bargain the Rev. Dan Strength is offering as his congregation gathers food to feed the less fortunate on Thanksgiving Day.

Starting on Saturday, folks who drop off a turkey at the church's thrift store can choose a piece of furniture and nine other items off the shelves. Each additional foodstuff in addition to a turkey translates to another item from the shop.

The food will be stored at the River of Life Church, 8187 Fort Dade Ave., until Nov. 27, when some 200 meals are expected to be served. Strength wants to give out 50 food baskets, as well.

It's a lofty goal, but Strength, 57, has faith in the community's generosity and God's goodness. He points to the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish as evidence that it can be accomplished.

"That's the point of the River," Strength said, referring to the name of his church and thrift shop. Just as there is a need, there is a supply. "The river flows out and the river flows in."

Strength founded his church in August. At first, services were held in the backroom of the thrift shop.

The store is squeezed into the Mountain Park strip mall at the juncture of Cortez Boulevard and Cobb Road. Inside, ball caps hang from the ceiling over shoulder-width aisles stacked with secondhand shirts and sundry knickknacks.

These are uneasy times, Strength said, and apparently his messages began to strike home for a lot of people. His congregation swelled, and most of the new members had little church experience.

Strength has a background with Assembly of God but has abandoned denominations in favor of a "straight gospel" approach. His church moved from the storefront to a senior center on Fort Dade Avenue, where services are held on Saturday and Sunday.

True to his profession, he has a message for the givers and the receivers. For the latter, don't be shy about taking a handout - it's God's blessing to you, Strength said.

For the donors, a special blessing is in store.

"By giving they receive," Strength said.

If you would like to donate food, drop by the River of Life Thrift Store in the Mountain Park plaza, 18620 Cortez Blvd., at the corner of Cortez Boulevard and Cobb Road. Contact Pastor Dan Strength for more information at 428-7506.