New thrift store revives avenue, benefits Christian school

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The property was sitting vacant, and Yummy Pandolfi had a dream.  She wanted to start a private Christian school that anyone could afford.  Now what was once a vacant property on Independence Avenue is helping children attend that school.

Christian Worldview Leadership Academy opened its doors last August.  Pandolfi is its founder and headmaster.  The school is starting small with 11 students in two grades--kindergarten and first grade.  Instead of paying tuition parents are chipping in any way they can to help run the school.  Pandolfi can't promise the school will stay tuition-free, but she wants to keep it low-cost.

That means money needs to raised.  To supplement donations Pandolfi opened the C.W.L.A. Kids' Thrift Store.  Proceeds from the store go towards the school.  The store opened in December in a building that was abandoned since the closing of Kingdom Come Thrift Store.

Now it boasts fresh paint and a new interior.   It's stocked with clothes, toys, and furniture.  Pandolfi wants to add two grades and 50 more students to the school next year.  She hopes a steady stream of shoppers will help keep the cost of education down for those new students.