Thrift Better
Goodwill is convenient, but commercial, and religious charities may discriminate in distribution efforts. What to do? Most areas have at least a few thrift stores designed to benefit a specific target cause: DV victims or immigrants or animals. Specialty thrifts may also focus on a particular kind of goods that other stores reject. ReStore specializes in building supplies and benefits home building.
How to do it:
Begin by creating a list of all the thrift stores in your area. Search your mapping app, or ask on social media. Many people have a specific charity they feel strongly about. Once you have a list, investigate: what do they take? Do you need an appointment? Who do they benefit? Choose a few that fit your lifestyle for donating or shopping, and go visit them.
Thrift stores are an effective way to reduce commercialism, but like any other business they vary. Spend some time identifying options in your area. Here are a few, for inspiration, from Seattle:
Seattle Recreative : accepts and sells art supplies. Proceeds fund art classes and community art projects.
Bella’s Voice : accepts general items with proceeds helping to keep animals with their families
ReStore : Habitat for Humanity runs recycling centers nationwide. They take and sell building materials from cabinets to flooring. Proceeds support their home-building work.
A note on the Salvation Army: for many years progressives avoided them due to open, sometimes egregious discrimination against potential clients in the LGBTQ community. While their religious perspective is unchanged, they officially embrace all clientele now. The choice is yours.
