Bud’s Thrift Shoppe History

Named after Bridges To Hope’s founder, Pastor Bud Christenson, Bud’s Thrift Shoppe is an ongoing fundraiser for Bridges To Hope. Bridges To Hope is a nonprofit organization for those who have been incarcerated and are trying to reestablish their lives as they re-enter their community. Rhonda Mattingly, the executive director of Bridges to Hope (2015 – present), and founder of Bud’s Thrift Shoppe, recruited long-time consignment store owner, Kathy Herr, to help get the thrift store off the ground.

 

Bud’s Thrift Shoppe opened its original store in November 2017, right next door to the Bridges To Hope warehouse, and it remained at that location for a year and a half. This location was all that was available at the time, but it was not ideal for visibility and walk-in traffic. In the fall of 2018, Rhonda met with a landlord who owned property on O Street: right in the heart of downtown Lincoln. After months of negotiations and renovations, the new Bud’s Thrift Shoppe opened its doors at 2226 O St., on June 20th , 2019.

 

Bud's Thrift Shoppe is open to the public, however, should the  reentrants not find what they need at Bridges to Hope, they are allowed to “shop”—at no cost to them—for necessity items. 

 

Bridges To Hope is a privately funded nonprofit that survives solely on donations, fundraisers, and local foundation grants. By selling donated items outside the immediate needs of our reentrants, such as home décor, special household items, and select furniture and clothing, we are a major source of funding for Bridges To Hope.

 

Bridges To Hope is located at 3107 S 6th St. and is the primary drop off site for donations.

 

Bud’s Thrift Shoppe is located at 2226 O St.

Lincoln, NE 68510