For over 45 years, the Nearly New Thrift Shop has helped support various charities and non-profit organizations in town.

The ministry of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has called 602 E. Yosemite Ave. home since the late 1980s.

That’s the location through the end of the year. The space they occupy is going to be converted into a Christian youth center.

“We’re looking for someone gracious to step up,” said Pastor Jason Thornton on Thursday.

He added: “We are currently looking for a new location to continue our mission, so that we can continue to help low-income families and share God’s abundance with the hungry, homeless, those in distress and our children and youth.”

Nearly New, which relies on volunteers, has had several locations over years.

“We opened at a time before the (existence of) Salvation Army, Goodwill or Hospice stores. In fact, we did not have garage or yard sales to compete with back then,” Leoma Negley told the Bulletin in 2010.

The idea of the thrift store consisting of gently used items came as a result of a two-day rummage sale at the St. Paul women’s group held in the American Legion Hall.

“After seeing all the left-over items being given away at the end of sales day, it was suggested we look into opening a thrift store,” said Negley, who noted that Nearly New was patterned after the First Methodist Church’s thrift store in Turlock.

The first-ever Manteca store opened Oct. 16, 1970 in the 300 block of North Main Street. Even that was conducted on a trial basis.

“We were given a month to try out this new idea, but after a week we were given approval to continue our project,” Negley recalled.

The business gradually grew while expand hours and even adding as more volunteer help became available.

Nearly New moved several times, going from the North Main Street to the corner of Center and Main streets coupled with two more locations.

But it wasn’t until the late Anthony Raymus offered the United Methodist women’s group the current location at a low cost.

Thornton thanked the Raymus family while supporting the plans, going forward.

“We are excited by the prospect of the Christian youth center you are planning to develop – we pray that God will bless your endeavors to help the youth of Manteca encounter the life transforming love of Jesus,” he said in his Sept. 12 letter.

In the last eight years, Nearly New has donated $134,000 to local charities.

Included are Haven of Peace, Hope Ministries, the Police Chief’s Foundation, St. Paul’s Food Pantry, Salvation Army, and Second Harvest Food Bank, to name a few.

They’ve helped in supporting the local Boys & Girls Clubs, Give Every Child A Chance, St. Paul’s Family Ministries and Manteca Interfaith Community Appeal.

Negley and others are putting their hopes and prayers in finding a new home for the Nearly New Thrift Shop.