Medical Lake's Care and Share store installs security cameras

Customers who browse through the Care and Share's men's department and glance at the corner above the sorting room will see a security camera with a sign hanging below that has a yellow smiley face drawn on it.

This security camera is one of the several that the Care and Share, a second-hand store that donates all of its sales to the Medical Lake Food Bank, installed back in November 2014. Volunteers can watch the cameras from the monitor located next to the cash register.

According to Anne Starr, who runs the store, located at 211 N. Lefevre St. the cameras not only allow her and volunteers a chance to catch potential shoplifters but also customers who attempt to remove tags from merchandise.

"We'll mark something, say a new dress, for $6, but if it's not marked we'll sell it for $2," Starr said. "People will sometimes tear off the tag to get a cheaper price."

There is also a security camera installed outside, near the donation door. This is to catch people if they drop off trash and unsellable items.

"Seventy-five percent of what the store receives is unsaleable," Starr said. "It's broken appliances, filthy clothes and mattresses. It's stuff that could go to the dump but people don't want to pay the fee."

Starr is thankful for the saleable donations that the store receives from the community.

"The success of the store is a testament to the community," Starr said.

She is also thankful for the six volunteers who work at the store.

Judy Koskinen has been volunteering at the Care and Share for two years. Koskinen organizes the merchandise on all of the shelves.

"When I moved here 40 years ago, my family and I received assistance from all kinds of people," Koskinen said. "This is my payback to the community."

Deborah Short, who volunteers at the Care and Share seven days a week, recently finished her first year at the store.

"Sometimes it's stressful with the amount of donations, but you meet a lot of fun people and Anne makes it fun," Short said. "This has given me purpose again and God wants me to do this."

Starr said she plans to add new shelves and more vintage merchandise. She is currently having sales every weekend in hopes of clearing the winter merchandise. She also finished her 10th year of running the store.

"It's been the best 10 years of my life," Starr said.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].