‘Shopping with heart’ for the ‘gift that gives’
Money raised from thrift stores benefits programs
The holidays are traditionally a time for generosity, in gift giving and in donating to the community, and the local thrift stores in Phoenix want customers to know they can do both at the same time.
“We are encouraging people to give a gift that gives,” Teri Vogel, founder of Thrive AZ, which runs the Thrift to Thrive thrift stores in Phoenix.
The money raised from the thrift stores benefits their program, which works to prevent children from entering foster care or to bring basic needs to help reunify families that have had children removed and placed in foster care.
Items that are donated to Thrift to Thrive are sorted, and some are given to families that Thrive AZ works with to help them provide safe environments for their children. If items are not given to families, they are sold in the thrift store and the proceeds go back to benefit the families.
Thrift to Thrive has two Phoenix locations, and opened its newest one, on Camelback Road and Eighth Street, over the summer.
The location also has a coffee shop and space for live entertainment. Ahead of the holidays the coffee shop will have seasonal drinks and the shop will have a variety of holiday items, such as festive outfits or decorations, and items that will make perfect gifts.
“When you look through a thrift store, the different things can bring
back a good memory, the items can have more meaning,” Vogel said.
Flerish Thrift + Gift provides on-the-job training
At Flerish Thrift + Gift in north Phoenix, shoppers can find vintage dishes, furniture and other items, as well as original artwork done by people who benefit from the organization supported by Flerish, Civitan Foundation.
Civitan runs various programs and employment training for adults with intellectual disabilities, aimed at helping individuals learn life skills. Some participants in Civitan’s programs work at
the thrift store, earning a wage and learning about working in a retail environment, Dawn Trapp, CEO of Civitan Foundation, said. Participants also create art pieces that are sold in the store, like painted TV trays or greeting cards.
Lani Griffin, the manager of the thrift store, said the participants receive on the job training about how to keep the store feeling inviting and learn about merchandising by researching the value of the items donated to determine pricing. The store sells all sorts of items such as current cloth
ing and furniture, small appliances, art and other décor.
The money spent at the store goes back to maintaining programs that Civitan facilitates.
“We call it shopping with a purpose, or shopping with heart,” Trapp said.
White Dove Thrift Stores helps families in hospice
At the White Dove Thrift Stores, which benefit Hospice of the Valley, many of the items are donated by families who have been supported by Hospice of the Valley, JoEllen Feltham, volunteer coordinator for White Dove, said.
Proceeds from the store are used to cover expenses for families that Medicare doesn’t cover and help families who are unable to pay for Hospice of the Valley’s services, Feltham said.
Shoppers can often find high-end vintage items in thrift stores, that can make a unique gift or add to a festive outfit for a holiday party.
“We have gold, silver, diamonds and fine stones, collectibles and antiques,”
Feltham said. “It’s a fun place to shop.”
Thrifting is also getting its moment in the spotlight, the store leaders all agreed.
Social media influencers who enjoy the sustainability of buying thrifted items and the opportunity to buy unique pieces have made shopping in thrift stores extremely popular.
“It has expanded exponentially,” Feltham said of customers coming to the stores. “This year was just over the top.”