One partnership that we are particularly proud of is that with Western Fairfax Christian Ministries. When evaluating the relationship as an entrepreneur, it is very unusual that WCFM and Pender ReGift Thrift Store should be partners. We essentially have the same business, in the same location, occupying the same marketplace. We are clearly competitors! PRTS’ competitive advantages are that we sanitize more upholstered furniture than WCFM, and we have a stronger recycling stream for our discarded goods. WCFM has a better location.
But both ministries attribute their service to God, and in this relationship our partnership becomes not only possible, but flourishes. Clients they cannot serve are referred to us, and vice versa. We’ll trade a couch for a bed. In an recent pickup, Martin (PRTS) provided the truck and Tom (WCFM) provided the labor: The orgs split the booty.
Forced out of their location because the landlord could get more money from a different tenant, WCFM has recently split and relocated both their food pantry and their thrift store. The thrift store is now located at 13939 Metrotech Drive, Chantilly, VA 20151. Some of their donors still have not found them at their new location, but because we’re partners, we are happy to tell them how to get there.
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