We don't talk about thrift stores as much as we should, even though my Sonoma County community of Petaluma has a lot of great thrift and second hand goods stores as well as antique stores and it's long since been the norm for savvy shoppers to both frequent these storefronts as well as donate on a regular basis. More of us are coming around the the concept of reducing our carbon footprint in buying less in general when it comes to clothing, accessories and household goods and when we do buy new we want them to be as easy on the earth as possible. One of the best ways of repurposing unwanted items in our homes is to pass them along to someone who does need them.
Here are five reasons why you should donate to a benefit thrift store such as Petaluma's Alphabet Soup or Saks Thrift Ave.
- Streamline Your Home & Closet: Time to sort out last season's clothing and seasonal home decor now that the weather is warming up and we all have time on our hands. Spring cleaning is cathartic. Tackle areas that have piled up over the winter and purge.
- Don't even think of throwing good clothing and footwear away. Your too-tight jeans or last-years fashion item you never wore will be someone else's bargain find and for the few dollars you might make in a resale store, you'll make someone's day and be boosting the coffers of a needy non-profit in your community at the same time.
- Who says you won't find the most amazing belt or bag or vintage item in lieu of the multiple bags of items you donate? I have a friend who has a thing for jewelry that she hunts down in thrift stores, gold and silver and the occasional gemstone, too.
- All of the items you donate will be put to good use, assuming they're in reasonable condition. If the store can't sell them they'll sort through for shelters and homeless people.
- By donating to a non-profit's thrift store, sales of your clothing and accessories and household items make a real difference in people's lives. After we make it through the Coronavirus crisis there will likely be more people in our community than ever in need of affordable clothing for themselves and their kids. Furnishing a home with thrift store finds has been how many of us started out and yet the concept of having even the most basic a budget for setting up home is beyond the reach of more and more young people today. Think of the sofa you've been storing in your garage and what a find it will be for someone not nearly as set up as you or me with the basic needs.
Alphabet Soup Stores are my favorite local thrift stores to donate to as a parent of three sons who were schooled in Petaluma. Profits benefit 13,000 students currently enrolled in our wonderful area schools. I routinely go through my closet in fall and spring to sort out items that I no longer need with this in mind. I also try to apply the one-in, one-out rule as much as possible, especially with shoes, which I love and do my best not to over-buy.
Because the stores are shut currently there are no donations being accepted for sorting at this time. But that doesn't mean they're not going to be warmly received as soon as the doors reopen. So get to it and box up your clean, gently worn/used items. Streamline your closet today!
In 1994, Petaluma Educational Foundation opened their first storefront, Alphabet Soup Thrift Benefit Shop. Soup's growth and success over the years demonstrated that a second location would increase the benefit in the community and better serve the schools through the mission of Petaluma Educational Foundation. The Foundation Grant and Scholarships programs enhance and enrich the academic experience of more than 13,000 students in Petaluma’s 38 public, charter, and not-for-profit private schools.
The second shop, known as the Home Store, was opened in 2013 and currently sells housewares, linens, furniture, art, and books.
The original location is now known as Soup's Clothing Boutique and sells clothing (women's, men's and kids), shoes, handbags, jewelry, accessories, children's books, and toys.
These two downtown retail spots offer shoppers a unique experience of discovering vintage treasures along with popular fashion at affordable prices.
Shop, Donate, Volunteer to help support the mission of PEF, allowing for the foundation to expand its impact at our local schools, currently serving 13,000 + students annually.
To make a financial donation directly to Petaluma Educational Foundation, click here.
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