Rim Country Senior Center and Addie’s Thrift Store
For this article, Phyllis Ault, volunteer board president of Rim Country Senior Center, told the Guide that Addie’s Thrift Store is the Center’s largest funding source. She said that support helps sustain its two main meal programs: Meals on Wheels and Congregate Dine-In.
That connection is easy to miss when browsing a thrift store. A purchase helps keep the store operating; according to Ault, store proceeds then help support meal services for local residents.
The Center’s own history also reflects how local support can carry an institution through a hard moment: it says the Center was destroyed in the 2002 Rodeo–Chediski Fire and rebuilt by 2006 with major community effort. The rebuilt Center continues to offer meals and other community activities.
More than a meal delivery
The Center’s public description says volunteer Meals on Wheels drivers may also conduct welfare checks, deliver blankets, turn on gas and complete minor repairs. For some recipients, a driver may be their only outside contact that day. Ault told the Guide that the program includes weekday wellness checks, Monday through Friday.
Historical snapshot (March 2025): A White Mountain Independent / 260 Connection feature reported that Meals on Wheels was serving about 25 people at home, that more than 325 meals had been delivered during the preceding month, and that summer lunch attendance could exceed 70 people a day. These are figures reported for 2025, not current service statistics.
A table and a chance to connect
Rim Country Senior Center also describes its dine-in program as a place for nutritious meals and community. Sharing a meal can make room for conversation and companionship as well as food. Ault said that socialization and physical activity matter to independent seniors, and that the dine-in program can help reduce isolation.
Recycling cans into program support
There is another practical example beyond thrift-store sales. A March 2025 White Mountain Independent / 260 Connection feature reported that Arizona Department of Environmental Quality funding helped the Center obtain an industrial compactor, local residents built its protective structure and foundation, and the can program had raised more than $1,500 over a three-month period for Center programs. Those are historical figures reported in 2025, not current fundraising totals.
ADEQ’s project summary separately reports that a grant-supported recycling upgrade helped the Center increase aluminum-can diversion by 30% with a new crusher. The Center sent 527 pounds of cans to recycling in March 2024 and 686 pounds in March 2025; across the project it diverted more than three tons and brought in nearly $3,000 to support Meals on Wheels. Those project results are reported by ADEQ and are not a promise of future revenue.
Arizona Department of Environmental Quality: recycling grant outcomes
How to ask about help or get involved
Ault said people seeking services should call or visit so Center staff can learn about their situation and determine what help may fit. She identified volunteers and funding as current needs and said the Center has four employees and relies heavily on volunteers.
Rim Country Senior Center
2171 B Street, Overgaard, AZ 85933
Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
928-535-5525 · rcsc@frontiernet.net
Visit Rim Country Senior Center for current service, volunteer and donation information.
Arizona tax-credit note
The Arizona Department of Revenue’s 2026 Qualifying Charitable Organization list includes Rim Country Senior Citizens Association DBA Rim Country Senior Center (QCO code 20922) for qualifying cash contributions made during 2026. Arizona’s QCO credit has its own rules and eligibility requirements; this is not tax advice, and a listing does not establish what any individual taxpayer may claim. Confirm the current state information and consult a qualified tax professional about your circumstances.
Arizona Department of Revenue: QCO and QFCO credits · 2026 official QCO list (PDF)
HOCRN: a network of community resources
HOCRN had not provided a direct response to the Guide by publication. This section draws on its public information.
The Heber Overgaard Community Resource Network (HOCRN) describes its mission as connecting residents and visitors with resources through community involvement and partnerships. Its current official pages list programs and projects including a free local shuttle, community garden, scholarships, Senior Angel Tree, family Christmas assistance and support for the Heber–Overgaard Community Food Bank.
HOCRN says its thrift store provides a major share of the network’s funding and that volunteers power its work. Its site lists the thrift store at 1846 SR 260 in Heber, with Friday and Saturday hours that vary by season. It also lists donation exclusions, including mattresses, televisions, washers/dryers and other large appliances; check the organization’s current information before bringing items.
HOCRN’s own pages contain inconsistent descriptions of its tax-exempt status, so this article does not characterize HOCRN donations as tax-deductible or eligible for a tax credit. Ask the organization and check the current Arizona Department of Revenue list before relying on any tax treatment.
HOCRN programs and services · Volunteer with HOCRN · HOCRN website and current store information · admin@hocrn.org
Christian Closet: check directly for current needs
The Guide contacted Christian Closet but had not received a direct response by publication. The parish’s public site identifies Christian Closet among its ministries. A recent Heber–Overgaard Chamber thrift-event page described support for immediate practical needs such as utilities, fuel and other assistance. Because current eligibility, assistance procedures, volunteer schedules and donation rules were not confirmed directly, contact the organization before relying on those details or bringing items.
Our Lady of Assumption parish ministries · Our Lady of Assumption website · Chamber’s public thrift-event description
Encore Thrift Emporium and local schools
Encore did not provide a direct response to the Guide. Public community descriptions identify Encore Thrift Emporium as supporting local school fine-arts programs, including music, choir, band, culinary arts, art and robotics. The Guide is not stating how any particular sale is allocated. Confirm current hours, accepted donations and volunteer opportunities directly with the organization.
Heber–Overgaard Chamber thrift-event page · HOCRN public community profile of Encore
Heber–Overgaard Community Food Bank
A food bank is a direct-assistance resource, not a thrift-store fundraiser. The Guide contacted the Food Bank but had not received a direct response by publication. HOCRN’s official program list identifies the Food Bank as a community resource. For current hours, who can receive assistance, how to qualify, useful food donations and volunteer needs, contact the Food Bank directly rather than relying on outdated schedules or assumptions.
hofoodbank@gmail.com · HOCRN’s public program listing · Parish ministry listing
Want to help? Start with the organization
- Rim Country Senior Center / Addie’s: ask about shopping, usable merchandise donations, volunteering, Meals on Wheels and financial support. Call 928-535-5525 or check the Center’s contact page.
- HOCRN: shop, review current donation rules, or ask about volunteering—including store and shuttle roles—through HOCRN’s volunteer page. Confirm current needs before dropping off items.
- Christian Closet: contact the parish or ministry first to confirm what items are accepted, when volunteers are needed and whether assistance is available for a particular situation.
- Encore: contact the organization to confirm store hours, donation rules and how to support its school fine-arts mission.
- Community Food Bank: ask directly about food, volunteer and financial-support needs. If a neighbor needs food assistance, share the Food Bank’s contact rather than guessing at eligibility.
Small acts add up
You do not have to write a huge check to contribute to a community.
Sometimes helping looks like buying a used lamp. Sometimes it is dropping off a box of clothing. Sometimes it is driving a neighbor to an appointment. Sometimes it is delivering lunch. Sometimes it is sorting donations for a few hours. And sometimes it is simply noticing when another person needs help.
Heber–Overgaard runs on compassion, volunteers, and people helping other people. Local support can become local help.
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