To visit Many Hands Market’s website, go to http://www.manyhandsmarket.com/.

By Lindsey Klyn, Marketing Manager for MH4H

Many Hands for Haiti opens its first secondhand store in Spencer, Iowa this Friday, Aug. 2 at 11 AM. The store is called Many Hands Market, located at the intersection of Highway 71 and 18, and contains a vast variety of new and gently used items. The 13,000 square foot building is packed full of great bargains and offers countless unique items for any shopper.

Many Hands Market sells typical and rare secondhand store items. Store Manager Christi Gabhart says, “ We have received the widest array of donated items anyone could imagine; everything including the kitchen sink!” In addition to furniture, dishes, clothing, and décor, Many Hands Market sells Haitian goods including metal art, jewelry, coffee, sandals, and wood carvings. These products support Haitians directly, providing a living for them and their families.

Gabhart is a native of Spencer and states, “Many Hands Market provides the opportunity for a multitude of people to participate in local and global missions through the act of volunteering, donating, even shopping. Missions has become such a part of who I am; this was such a fulfilling way of encouraging others to know the blessing of participating in missions.” Gabhart first visited Haiti in 2006 and has been there ten times since.

One hundred percent of the proceeds raised at Many Hands Market go to support ministries locally and globally. These programs include youth and economic development, educational opportunities, clean water initiatives, food and medical provisions, and many other services. By supporting Many Hands Market, customers support the work of Many Hands for Haiti and help guarantee the continued work of this ministry.

The store functions off the generosity of many people giving donations and volunteering their gifts and time. Before opening, almost 100 people volunteered to get the store going and countless people donated items from all across the state of Iowa. Many Hands Market sends two semi-trailers around Iowa to collect new and gently used items. Two truckloads have already been delivered to the store, and the next round is filling up quickly! Everyone is invited not only to shop at Many Hands Market, but also to donate items or their time.

“It is truly amazing to stand back and see how people are using their gifts and talents to make this a reality. It takes a lot of people and skill sets for something as big as this is to happen. It has been fun to see all the different skills that have come forward to meet the challenges of each day so far,” says Many Hands for Haiti Executive Director Tim Brand.

Many Hands Market is located at 1019 South Grand Avenue Suite 6 in Spencer and will be open Monday-Saturday from 11 AM-7 PM. Donations can be brought around to the back of the store any day during their open hours.

In the words of Gabhart, “Let the shopping begin!”

Volunteers proudly display their hands in front of the new store. 

Above: Store Manager Christi Gabhart and Executive Director Tim Brand (recovering from ankle surgery) anxiously await the grand opening. 

Below: Sneak peak inside the store! 

For more information about volunteer opportunities or donating, contact Christi Gabhart at [email protected].