Bread of Life celebrates one year in business

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

One year down, and the Bread of Life Market in Charles City is going strong.

“We’ve been really blessed. Especially over the last three or four months, we’re really starting to see how we’re impacting the community,” said Shelly Tilton, owner of the secondary food market located at 809 Wisconsin St. in Charles City.

“We’ve almost doubled our floor space for groceries,” she said.

Tilton said that there have been a lot of new customers checking out the place, and they’ve been surprised at the wide variety of groceries and other items in stock. The store has become much more than a “bent/dent, salvage grocery” outlet, she said.

Since opening one year ago, Bread of Life has discontinued the thrift store and expanded the groceries, and has also expanded the freezer space and fresh food area. The shop now offers fresh dairy — including milk, butter and cheese — at reduced prices.

A local produce farm provides plants in the spring, produce in the summer and mums and pumpkins in the fall. Apples on the Avenue keeps apples in stock; Saathoff Farms supplies goat’s milk, lotions and soaps; and the store has contracted with Elma Locker for beef and pork.

There are also quilting items and a consignment corner, where local business people and crafters sell things.

Tilton and her husband moved to Charles City about two years ago and wanted to be more involved in the faith-based community.

“The whole purpose of us opening the store was to give back to the Charles City community. We’re kind of learning as we go,” she said. “It’s so rewarding for me, when people come in and they’re so thankful we’re here.”

Tilton said Bread of Life has gotten great outreach from other people in the community who have utilized the store for “random acts of kindness.”  People can buy gift certificates to give away, and the shop is part of the Silver Cord Program, which recognizes students in the school district for volunteerism.

Bread of Life also now has a program for emergency food vouchers through all the local churches.

“We can give people free emergency groceries,” she said.

In order for the vouchers program to be successful, Tilton said, she wants to get rid of the stigma sometimes associated with secondary food markets.

“There is still a misconception that only people of limited means are welcome to shop here, and that’s not accurate,” Tilton said. “This is a place for everybody to shop, and we encourage everyone to at least stop in and check us out.”

Stores like Bread of Life can’t stay in business by just serving one small section of the community, she said.

“In order for us to help the people who need emergency food, we need everybody to shop here, and we want everyone to feel welcome,” Tilton said.

Bread of Life is celebrating its first anniversary in business, as well as the upcoming Christmas holidays, with special sales that start this week. With winter and holiday items as low as 25 cents, it’s a perfect time for people to check out the goods and save themselves some money.

“We have several items that are specialty priced, and we also have a lot of stocking stuffers available,” Tilton said.

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 9 a.m to 4 p.m. The Bread of Life accepts EBT and SNAP.