6 Good Reasons to Donate to a Thrift Store

6 Good Reasons to Donate to a Thrift Store

I recently finished the book, Getting Organized in the Era of Endless: What to Do When Information, Interruption, Work, and Stuff are Endless But Time is Not! by Judith Kolberg. It was fascinating and I can’t wait to write my thoughts on it, but for now. . .

At the very end of the book, Judith speaks to the modern thrift store in the section called,

This is Not Your Mother’s Thrift Store

She lists 6 reasons to donate to a thrift store. I’d like to share them with you.

  • Did you know that thrift store proceeds are used to support a wide range of social programs?   They may include alcohol and drug rehab, job programs, prison outreach, health care programs, programs for pregnant teens, and other worthy causes.
  • Your donations are from the public and the staff is often volunteers, the stuff can be sold at low prices to the poor and those on limited or fixed incomes.
  • Second-hand stuff uses far fewer resources (gas, forests, cola, etc. ) in its distribution than newly manufactured goods. For instance, when you donate used stuff you’re helping the environment.
  • It is important to recycle your second-hand items so that they do not end up in landfills.
  • Health care and social services programs like HIV aids testing are increasingly available at local thrift stores. Making these services and programs more accessible to the people who need them most, right in their communities.
  • In addition, in exchange for your donations, you may be able to take a tax deduction on your federal income tax return.
This is Not Your Mother's Thrift Store Share on X

In conclusion, you always want to donate appropriately.

 

Basic Organization is your organizer in Washington DC. Providing organizing services for families, busy professionals, seniors, and home-based business owners. Our passion is helping people achieve peace and simplicity in their lives. Let our team help you regain control of your environment by organizing the living and storage areas. We work in all areas of your home, including the garage, kitchen, basement, office, bedrooms, and closets.

All of our team members are affiliated with the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and have earned certificates to become professional home organizers.  We make education a high priority to ensure that we stay ahead of the trends. Above all, so we can provide better service for our clients.

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Janet Schiesl

Janet Schiesl

Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.

She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.

Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

Janet Schiesl

Janet Schiesl

Janet has been organizing since 2005. She is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of Basic Organization.

She loves using her background as a space planner to challenge her clients to look at their space differently. She leads the team in large projects and works one-on-one with clients to help the process move quickly and comfortably. Call her crazy, but she loves to work with paper, to purge what is not needed and to create filing systems that work for each individual client.

Janet is a Past Board Member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals and a Past President of the Washington DC Chapter of NAPO were she has been named Organizer of the Year and Volunteer of the Year.

15 Comments

  1. […] 6 Good Reasons to Donate to a Thrift Store […]

  2. […] 6 Good Reasons to Donate to a Thrift Store […]

  3. Seana Turner on October 4, 2021 at 10:41 am

    We have a couple of thrift stores in our town and they are such treasures. So many lovely things that we no longer need still have “lots of life” left in them. Ours uses all proceeds to provide scholarships, and I just love that!

    • Janet Schiesl on October 5, 2021 at 7:35 pm

      Shopping thrift store has many benefits. The profits do good for many people.

  4. Sabrina Quairoli on October 4, 2021 at 7:41 pm

    We have several thrift shops in my area and they usually have awesome things from household items to clothing. It’s a favorite stop for my daughter who loves buying second hand clothing. I donate to them at least 3-4 times a year when we are decluttering during the different seasons. It’s nice to know that the items will be use again.

    • Janet Schiesl on October 5, 2021 at 7:34 pm

      Yes! I love the fact that things get a second chance and someone else will be happy to own it.

  5. Linda Samuels on October 4, 2021 at 10:37 pm

    Thrifting seems to be getting a second life. Aside from local places, there are the Thred-Ups of the world. There are no downsides. There used to be a wonderful thrift store in our community, but she went out of business after a few decades because of rent increasing. I used to bring her clothes which, when sold, I’d receive either cash or credit from purchasing in-store. It was a win-win.

    • Janet Schiesl on October 5, 2021 at 7:33 pm

      Thrifting and consigning have gotten so much easier (and more popular) lately. There are many benefits. We have many choices in my area, along with internet options. It’s endless.

  6. Sara Skillen on October 5, 2021 at 2:15 pm

    I always encourage donating as opposed to selling (or saving something to “pass down to the kids.”). I’ve toured thrift stores in my area and the work they do is amazing. I’ve even started doing a little thrift shopping myself – inspired by my daughter who is very talented at finding great stuff that can be repurposed. It’s kind of like a treasure hunt (and so much better than fast fashion). Great post!

    • Janet Schiesl on October 5, 2021 at 7:30 pm

      Sara, I love thrifting too! There is a lot of good stuff to be found and certainly more environmentally friendly.

  7. Julie Bestry on October 6, 2021 at 2:19 am

    I’m a big fan of donating (vs. trying to have a yard sale or attempting consignment) and encourage clients to donate to reputable thrift stores. I’ll be honest, hardly ever buy anything, but when I do, I prefer to buy things (especially clothing) new, but will support thrift stores in other ways. But I’m definitely excited for people who find items they adore via thrifting!

    • Janet Schiesl on October 6, 2021 at 12:15 pm

      I like thrifting. It’s always a surprise what I find.

  8. Diane N Quintana on October 6, 2021 at 8:47 am

    There are a couple of fabulous Thrift stores here in Atlanta that do just this – support the community. Thank you for pointing out that these organizations do more than just collect people’s donations.

  9. Janet Barclay on March 24, 2023 at 8:24 am

    It’s important to note that all thrift stores aren’t the same. There’s one near me which is for-profit, but they purchase the used goods from charities who collect the donations. Most others directly fund social programs as you’ve described. They’re all about giving new life to things we no longer need, which helps the environment, but some people might want to choose one that supports a cause that’s dear to their own hearts.

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