Give Back to Your Community Through Salvation Army Thrift Stores
Spring is around the corner, and Salvation Army Thrift Stores across the Midwest are asking for gently used donations. Everything you give—or buy—generates income that provides programs and essential services to people in need within your community.
This includes The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Centers (ARCs) that operate across the country to offer help and hope to individuals with a variety of problems, including issues related to substance abuse. Our residential programs offer spiritual, emotional, and social assistance in an environment designed to help participants live healthy, fulfilling lives.
Thrift shopping has become mainstream in the last few years. Salvation Army Thrift Stores offer a trendy, environmentally friendly option for people looking for great deals who want to help their community.
Between previously owned goods from individuals, and store merchandise that doesn’t sell from local businesses, we maintain a unique selection of merchandise at each location. And it changes every day!
Because we have such a high volume of materials to sort and price, we ask donors to keep the following in mind:
Inspect the condition of your items. We need clean clothing items in all sizes that have functioning zippers, buttons and snaps. Some of our clients are survivors of a disaster or are homeless and in dire need. They arrive at our store with only the clothes on their backs and will be picking out items for immediate use, with no opportunity to wash them or make any repairs. This extra bit of kindness is appreciated.
Understand we can’t accept everything. While we appreciate people supporting our mission and bringing us donations for resale, we cannot accept everything due to a variety of state and local regulations as well as space restrictions. If you have questions about a donation, especially something that is large and difficult to transport, please speak to your local Salvation Army Thrift Store in advance to confirm they will accept it. Some locations offer free pick-up services.
Know we are good stewards of your donation. We are committed to recycling whenever possible. To keep items out of landfills and create an income stream from what you donate, we work with textile recycling centers. Clothing, bedding, towels, and other soft goods that can’t be sold will be transformed and repurposed.
Make a difference in your community. Some of the jobs in the store, like sorting, pricing, and stocking donations, provide work therapy and job training for people in our ARC program. It helps them regain their dignity and independence during a difficult time in their lives. This isn’t possible without your generosity and support.
In addition to our traditional brick-and-mortar stores, you can also find a wide range of products available for purchase online. New items are constantly being added and you don’t need to live near a physical store to acquire special, one-of-a-kind finds. You can save money and support our mission without leaving home!
Whether you donate items you no longer need, or shop in a Salvation Army Thrift Store, together we are improving the lives of others. These actions may seem like a small effort, but they have a large, important reach.