Matawan Thrift Shop Supports Children and Adults with Special Needs

It's a sunny Friday afternoon and several shoppers are perusing the racks at a tiny thrift shop tucked away on the corner of Main Street and Fountain Avenue in Matawan, near the Sovereign Bank.

Behind the counter of is Pat Corcoran, the store manager, who greets customers by name as they come and go, pointing out items that they might be interested in.

The shop is packed to the brim with gently used or new clothes, jewelry, shoes, books, purses, dishware and even tableclothes. It is a collection of tax-deductable donations made by people from the surrounding areas.

"We have a little bit of everything, but nothing too big," Corcoran said.

Corcoran has worked at the thrift shop for about eleven years now. She became involved in MONARC, or the Arc of Monmouth, when her son was diagnosed with autism.

According to Arc's national website, the organization was founded in 1950 by families working to create services for children and adults who were being denied day care, educational opportunities and work programs.

Today, Arc has over 140,000 members in more than 700 state and local chapters across the country. It serves as the physically and intellectually disabled community's largest advocacy group in the nation.

Arc of Monmouth is a New Jersey chapter of Arc and is a 501(c)3 charity. Locally, Arc of Monmouth helps sustain affordable housing for over 150 people, medical, provide dental and psychiatric care for over 500 people annually, provide enriching recreation activities to about 600 people and supplies employment opportunities to over 400 people each year.

All profits made at the store directly support the Arc of Monmouth, explained volunteer Nannette Finkel-Rebach.

"This store makes money for a good cause. Plus, people can feel good for recycling and not just throwing things out," Finkel-Rebach said.

MONARC accepts gently used apparel, shoes and jewelry, home decor items, housewares, books, collectibles, music, pocketbooks, new socks and undergarments, ties, belts, winter wear, children's games, toys and puzzles, clocks, framed art, lamps and antiques. they do not have a lot of storage space in the little shop on Main Street. They are unable to take large pieces of furniture or too many books, and prefer seasonal donations.

MONARC Thrift Shop has been on Main Street in Matawan for the last 25 years, estimated Corcoran. The shop originally began in a local woman's garage when her son was diagnosed with autism.

Over the years, several customers have become regulars. Every Friday like clockwork, Matawan resident Michelle Malanga strolls down to MONARC Thrift Shop.

"You just never know what you're going to get, so you have to check. And I love when there are sales," said Malanga.

Want to donate to MONARC Thrift Shop? Just stop by during the store's hours - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday - and give your items to a volunteer. They will write you a tax receipt.