Donate with a purpose. Thrift shops that are doing good for our community.

I love spring cleaning. No, not the kind with the vacuum extender thingy or the window squeegee type of spring cleaning. I love the purging type. The closet slim-down, the garage liquidation or my favorite, the toy box catharsis. Man that feels good to unload that stuff, doesn’t it?

You know what feels even better? Recycling and repurposing those items into the hands of local kids and families who could really use them. Instead of dropping your next purge in the parking lot drop-off bin to who knows what charity, check out this list of local thrift shops that are doing good things for the seacoast community. Win-win.

1. Wonderland Thrift
28 Portsmouth Ave, Stratham, NH (603) 686-5313

When you donate your gently used items to this Stratham store, know that you are helping Wonderland’s mission to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of families within the Seacoast community. Wonderland offers their clients and outreach groups a no-cost voucher program to obtain donated clothing, furniture, baby items and housewares ensuring that area families are provided with the basics of life’s necessities. Check their website for seasonal/specific donation requests and hours.

2. Second Generation Thrift Shoppe
9 Tide Mill Road, Greenland, NH (603) 430-9482

Located in Greenland, this store provides a convenient and affordable shopping outlet for clothing and necessary household items. 100% of the sales proceeds go directly to a local non-profit, New Generation, which provides housing and shelter opportunities for local pregnant and parenting homeless women and their infants. Check their Wish List for items in need or drop off clothing, furniture, books, games, toys, décor donations at their location.

3. The Fabulous Find
139 State St., Kittery ME 207-439-8669

The Fabulous Find is a non-profit resale boutique that benefits the local seacoast community. The resale store offers designer clothing, jewelry, home accessories, furniture, music and books. Your purchase or donation of gently used items will benefit Piscataqua Region arts, environment, food pantry, fuel assistance, animal shelter and educational organizations that our board selects each month.

4. Leeward Charitable Foundation
Leeward Light Thrift Store: 126 Bridge Rd (Rt 1), Salisbury, MA (978) 465-1141
Leeward Landing Thrift Store: 90 US Route 1, York, ME (207) 361-4500

This non-profit organization operates charitable thrift stores throughout New England (locally in York and Salisbury) with the goal to help feed, clothe and comfort low income working families. Shop proceeds are donated to local food pantries, heating assistance programs and other community organizations that provide services to low income families. They accept donations in good condition including clothes, shoes, electronics, games, sporting goods, housewares, decorative items, furniture, linens, tools and more. Check their website for a full list of acceptable/non-acceptable donations, hours and store locations.

5. The Fair Tide Thrift Store
15 State Road in Kittery ME (207) 439-2427

As part of the greater Fair Tide mission to provide short-term affordable housing for area individuals and families who are homeless, the thrift store in Kittery operates as a resource for Fair Tide Housing Program residents and other members of the community in need of quality housewares and clothing at affordable prices. Acceptable donations include clothing, linens, household appliances, sporting goods, furniture, DVDs, seasonal decorations and much more. Visit their website for donation recommendations, hours and directions or call (207) 439-2427.

6. The York Community Thrift Shop
1320 US RTE 1, York, ME (207)363-2510

The YSCA is a non-profit organization that assists the people in the Town of York who are in need of emergency supports such as heating assistance, rent, food, dental/ medical bills, camp scholarships, backpacks and school supplies. In addition to donation to their food pantry, they are always in need of all types of clothing in new or gently worn condition, children’s items, kitchen/household appliances in good working condition, housewares, glassware, jewelry, antiques, linens, curtains, books and furniture.They do not accept white goods (washers, dryers or refrigerators) nor can we accept televisions or computer monitors.

7. Full Circle Community Thrift Store
150 Dow Highway Rt. 236 Eliot ME (207) 702-0266

The proceeds generated at this Eliot, ME store help area individuals and families living with cancer by offering monetary aid to assist with the burden of daily living and transportation expenses. Acceptable donations include furniture, housewares, linens, clothing, jewelry, books and tools. The store also welcomes your extra bags, clothing racks, bubble wrap and volunteers to help sort items.

8. The Community Clothes Closet
Berwick United Methodist Church
37 School Street (Junction of Rtes. 9 & 236), Berwick ME (207) 698-1065
The Closet is operated as a free exchange, donations of clothes, as well as money, are always welcomed but not necessary–no need will be left unmet. The Closet offers a large assortment of clothes for babies to seniors, belts, shoes and other accessories. Other items such as books and toys are also available.  The Closet is open Wednesday’s 10-6 and Saturdays 9-12; however a call to the office can arrange special appointments.

There are many charitable organizations that support our local Seacoast community and I’d love to learn more about them. Please feel free to email me at suzanna@seacoastkidscalendar.com and I would be happy to share with our readers. Now go get purging!

 

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