Thrifters can delight in the opening of a new thrift store in Manitoba's Pembina Valley, where they can shop for a great cause.

A new Adult and Teen Challenge Super Thrift Store will have its soft opening in Winkler tomorrow.

According to Chris Derksen, southern Manitoba representative for Adult and Teen Challenge (ATC), the crew behind the store's opening is excited and preparing frantically to be ready for opening.

Low temperatures and other forces of nature have caused the group to fall behind in some preparations, but Derksen says their team is prepared to "work through the night" if necessary to meet tomorrow's opening event.

"We're just so thrilled to be doing this and to really cement our position in the community and our presence here."

The shop, which is the organization's third in Canada, will be opened as a secondary supporting ministry for work ATC is doing in the Pembina Valley.

"The primary project has been to open a re-entry home for graduates of our Winnipeg program in Winkler," Derksen says.

That program provides graduates with assistance in getting reintegrated into the community after completing the ATC program.

ATC is a Christian discipleship program that assists those struggling with addiction.

"We've opened this home to provide a safe, stable environment for our graduates," explained Derksen. "They have encouragement, they have accountability, they have community."

Two of the three graduates currently residing in the home originally came to ATC from the Pembina Valley area. For them, Derksen says, it is a chance for reconciliation.

"Now, they're coming back home, changed men wanting to reintegrate into the community. But that's one of the biggest challenges for any of our graduates."

The new ATC thrift store will provide those graduates with opportunities for employment, income, and act as a "central hub" for the ministry of ATC in the Pembina Valley.

Derksen explains, "When people come here to shop at our Super Thrift Store, not only are they going to find amazing deals... but they're going to be able to connect with people that have been through our program."

ATC hopes that those connections will not only help in mending the relationship between graduates and the community but also build new bonds with those within the Pembina Valley Area who may be struggling in other ways.

"We're going to be right there to help them and to encourage them and to get them plugged into the appropriate program that we provide in the Pembina Valley."

Anyone can donate to the ATC Super Thrift Store, and they're already accepting donations of clothing, used furniture, appliances in working order, jewellery, and more.

The store is located at 390 1st Street in Winkler, and will be open Monday to Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

"The primary purpose of this store is to bring hope within reach of every addict. That's what we exist for," shared Derksen.