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Golden Harvest Thrift Store cuts ribbon
golden harvest ribbon cutting
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place following Thursday’s Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee, hosted by the Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas Golden Harvest Thrift Store at 2410 Main St., Great Bend.

This week Golden Harvest Thrift Store at 2410 Main St. hosted a Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The store is operated by Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas to help fund its missions, which include assisting those in need.

Coffee was provided by Avast Ya Java and doughnuts were provided by Yummy’s Doughnut Palace in Hoisington.

“Our whole purpose here is to have a dignified shopping experience – that’s what distinguishes us as a mission agency,” said Rebecca Ford with Catholic Charities. Everybody who comes in here, no matter what your means, you’re going to be able to find nice things. You’re going to have a clean and organized store. You’re going to be treated friendly and with respect.”

Catholic Charities Golden Harvest Thrift Store (catholiccharitiesswks.org) hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday mornings from 9 to noon. Donations are accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The store offers a customer loyalty program, vouchers and gift cards. Volunteers are welcome. For more information call 620-796-7109 or email gbthrift@catholiccharitiesswks.org.


Chamber announcements

• Tickets are on sale 21st Annual Central Kansas CASA Chocolate Auction and the Toes in the Sand Raffle. The chocolate auction will start at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at the Great Bend Events Center. Tickets are $60. The raffle is for a four-night stay, airfare, mid-sized car rental in the Emerald Coast Area, or you can take it as a gift certificate and put it towards a vacation of your choosing. Tickets are $25 or five for $100. Find details at centralkansascasa.org or call the office. There are plenty of ways to get involved: Donate an auction item, become a sponsor, or simply join the chocolate auction for an unforgettable evening.

• The Winter Events Catalog for the Great Bend Public Library is available at the library. Upcoming events include Woodworking 101, at 6 p.m. on Jan. 15, 22 and 29. Members of the Golden Belt Woodcarvers’ Club will lead this free class to anyone 16 years of age or older. Tools will be provided. Try to attend all three sessions if you can and you will finish a cool woodcarving project.

• The Barton County Conservation District’s annual meeting is Jan. 22 in Claflin. All Barton County residents are welcome. Call the district office, 620-792-3002, to RSVP so they will have a headcount for the free chicken-fried steak dinner to be served. There is also a raffle for a Henry Golden Boy .22 rifle; tickets are $5 each or five for $20, available from board members.

• The scholarship portal is open on the Golden Belt Community Foundation website, goldenbeltcf.org. They have about $125,000 in scholarships; students are encouraged to apply.

• The Great Bend Chamber Banquet will be Feb. 28. Tickets are on sale now. Now is the time to submit items to the Chambers Events calendar and to book a chamber coffee in 2026.

• This is also the time to notify the Great Bend Tribune if you have scheduled events. Email sthacker@gbtribune.com.