A new discount grocery store on West 15^th Street in Washington might not exist if not for Hurricane Florence, and its profits will help support future disaster relief efforts.

Value Goods is the brainchild of Earl Malpass and Nate Holms, a pair of pilots who run Mission Air Care, a local Christian non-profit that uses aviation to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of those in need.

In the aftermath of the storm, Mission Air Care, operating from Washington-Warren Airport, worked alongside WNC-based Anchor Baptist Ministries to deliver 16 semi-truck payloads worth of food, water and supplies to eastern North Carolina cities impacted by Florence. Holms says thousands of dollars were donated to that effort, every penny of which ended up helping victims.

“Out of that came the idea that we could do the same thing here in Washington,” Holms said. “We could provide low-cost food by providing a lower-cost option and then take those funds and help support staff and overhead operational costs for different types of mission work we run out of the airport.”

Malpass, who has lived in eastern North Carolina for the past two years, started Mission Air Care when he was living in Alaska. With many places inaccessible by road, he would fly support for Baptist churches and ministries throughout the state, as well as bring in food and supplies needed on a regular basis.

“We would use an air plane like a glorified church van,” Malpass recalled. “We would fly pastors and preachers in these villages in for rest and relaxation or doctors visits … as that ministry grew, we started an online grocery store. With no road system and no good grocery store system, and not very much support, they could order from Sams or our store and order a whole list of groceries.”

When Malpass and his wife moved to N.C., he ended up taking on a position as manager of the airport in Washington. A long-time aviator and missionary pilot, the position allowed him flexibility to continue his passion for serving others through Christian ministry.

“This summer, we’re going to be looking at helping churches and missionaries in the isles off the coast of Florida, perhaps Mexico and beyond,” Malpass said.

Holms, while a pilot, also has extensive experience in business management, which lends itself to running a grocery store. Together, the two business partners drew on their personal finances to start the store.

The business model at Value Goods is rather unique — dented, discontinued and near-out-of-date goods are purchased from suppliers at discount prices. Buying by the truck-load, the store is able to pass along savings to customers at a deep discount, all while helping a good cause.

“We’ve got two full time employees right now and we’re able to pay them more than what they’ve been getting otherwise, so we’re helping that group,” Malpass said. “Then we’re trying to help the community as well. Some people are retired folks or single moms who are trying to stretch a dollar as much as possible. So we’re doing it for the community, but the profits are going to be used to create a surplus so we’ll be prepared for the next disaster.”

Value Goods located at 830 W. 15^th Street in Washington. Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday though Saturday, with the exception of Wednesday, when hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.