WEST MONROE, La. (KNOE 8 News) - Samantha Sumpter,31, is bringing up a ten-year-old and an eight-year-old on her own. When she's not managing her full time duties at home, you will find Sumpter at the thrift store run by First Baptist Church of West Monroe.
"I get by. It's kind of paycheck to paycheck," Sumpter said.
Those words are all too familiar to many. Before Sumpter nabbed a job at the store, she was a stay-at-home-mom until her then-husband got into trouble.
"My ex-husband was arrested and I realized quickly he was going to be there for an extensive period of time and I needed to find a way, right away, to be able to pay rent and do something I was not prepared to do," Sumpter said.
It wasn't long before Sumpter walked into the thrift store with her mother. The manager overheard a conversation between the two and offered Sumpter a job on the spot sorting toys for children. Since then, she has climbed the ladder to assistant manger and one of her duties takes her to the furniture department where she manages the retail. Sumpter even got the chance to fill her new home from among the low-priced couches and clothes.
"This store has provided me with many different ways to help me take care of my kids. From clothing which we have for extremely reasonable pricing to furniture," Sumpter said.
This mother of two thanks the people at her job for helping her get back on her feet and after two years of working at the store, she doesn't see herself working anywhere else.
To donate items, you can contact the store at 410-0999.
