Support still needed for local Commissary

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tammy Cario
  • 911th Public Affairs
PITTSBURGH IAP ARS --  Shop now for a bigger and better future. 

The C. E. Kelly Commissary has been approved to be co-located with the 99th Regional Readiness Command, Army Reserve, in Coraopolis, Pa. 

Retired Col. Chester E. Oddis, a member of the Western Pennsylvania Coalition for Job Retention and Military Presence, Inc., is asking for help to keep funds flowing through the existing commissary. 

"The sales dollars and numbers of transactions will determine the size of the new facilities," said Col. Oddis. "It will be built based on the amount of business currently being done at the existing facilities in Oakdale." 

The Defense Commissary Agency states that a family of four can save nearly $3,000 annually, couples can save $1,900 and single shoppers more than $1,000. The Commissary operates at no profit; what a product is sold for is what it costs to buy. Commissary customers pay no sales tax; however, there is a 5 percent service charge which goes back into the stores, paying for things such as repairs and renovations.
Senior Master Sgt. Terry Lowe, the senior recruiter for the Pittsburgh area, shops at the C. E. Kelly Commissary. 

"They have an extremely friendly staff," Senior Master Sgt. Lowe said. "Even though the Commissary is small, they have everything I need." 

The 100 mile radius around the Commissary in Oakdale, Pa., takes in four states. That 100 mile circle includes more eligible personnel than the same area around Carlisle Army Barracks, the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. 

"It is extremely important that we continue to use the existing facilities prior to their relocation," said Col. Oddis. "While initial planning funds have been released for a commissary design plan, it is not a 'done deal'." 

"If you are close enough for weekly trips, please make an effort to go to the Commissary. If you are a significant distance from Oakdale and only come to Pittsburgh for special activities, please allow some extra time for a visit," said Col. Oddis. "The facilities (in Oakdale) represent non-paycheck benefits to all eligible personnel."