The Tinker Thrift Shop has reopened after a scheduled monthlong closure and is ready to continue its mission serving the Tinker Community.
The shop, under direction of the Tinker Spouse’s Club, has been serving the base community for the past 60 years providing an array of donated goods for shoppers to peruse including uniforms, maternity uniforms, men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, formal wear and various household goods and décor.
Active duty military members receive a 50% discount off of all military items such as boots and uniforms.
None of the items donated to the shop are ever wasted, as whatever items the Thrift Shop can’t use are forwarded to another in-kind donation service including the Base Vet, Homeless Teen Center, Women’s Shelter, Salvation Army, Humane Society or Airman’s Attic.
Each month the shop also collects supplies for those who may be in need in the community. For the month of August, they’re collecting school supplies for Tinker Elementary.
The non-profit is operated by a team of volunteers with all of the funds going directly back to help the Tinker community through a welfare fund for organizations, squadrons, base support and community support. Welfare requests can be submitted at tinkerspouses.org.
“We’re thankful for the outstanding community and leadership support,” Tinker Thrift Shop Manager Nicole Kettlewell said. “The overall mission of getting things for discount prices for the community and supporting the morale and welfare for the Tinker community is why we’re here. We’re here to be able to give back to them.”
The Tinker Thrift Shop is open to anyone with base access from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as one Saturday every month. The Saturday business schedule includes Aug. 17, Sept. 14, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14.
The shop is located in Bldg. 6002 with the Auto Hobby Shop, which is located in the same parking lot as the Airman & Family Readiness Center and the Gerrity Fitness Center.
To donate items, visit the shop during business hours or drop donations in the 24/7 donation shed located next to the car wash.