A Christmas tree is on display at the Fort Irwin Thrift Store. The tree, its decorations, and many other holiday decorations and gifts are on sale at the store, often for a fraction of department store prices.
Thrift store keeps focus on giving to community
Where on Fort Irwin can you buy a cell phone charger, holiday decorations, blue jeans and dishes, all for less than $10? At the Fort Irwin Thrift Store, where shoppers don’t just find deals — they help the community with every dollar they spend.
The store’s mission is to help raise money for the Officers’ and Civilians’ Spouses’ Club welfare and scholarship campaigns, which give tens of thousands of dollars every year to Fort Irwin’s schools and community organizations, and offer scholarships to Family members. Some of the welfare campaign’s beneficiaries from June 2008 to May 2009 include clubs and classes at Lewis Elementary School, Fort Irwin Middle School and Tiefort View Intermediate School, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, and the Fort Irwin chapter of the American Red Cross.
“It’s all about the community here,” said Donna Carroll, thrift store manager. “We have great stuff, and our prices are very reasonable.”
The thrift store depends solely on donations to stock its shelves, and accepts new and gently used clothing, books, toys, electronics, furniture, and household items including dishes, bedding and decorations. To minimize operating costs and reduce waste, the thrift store also accepts donations of clean, unmarked plastic shopping bags. Donations can be placed in the designated shed behind the store, or brought in during volunteer and store hours.
About 80 to 90 percent of items cost less than five dollars, said June Chevallier, senior advisor to the thrift store.
“By bringing your items here, you’re keeping them out of the landfill, providing a place for Families to get quality items at a low cost, and the profits from your item go back into the community,” Ms. Chevallier said.
The items the thrift store is currently needs most are pots, pans, coffee pots, beds and cribs, Ms. Carroll said.
While the store has three employees, it is always in need of volunteers to help sort the many bags of donations it receives each week, said Ms. Carroll. Volunteers receive two dollars of store credit for each hour they work. Both individuals and groups from clubs, units and other post organizations can volunteer.
“(The employees) couldn’t possibly sort through all of it,” Ms. Carroll said. “The more volunteers we have, the more we can sell, and the more money goes back to the community.”
The thrift store has a dedicated following, with lines routinely forming at the door before it opens. Ms. Carroll said the store’s prices keep its customers coming back.
Melissa Moffett, who shops at the thrift store once a week, came with her 8-month-old daughter, Emma Kate, when the store kicked off its holiday displays Nov. 18.
“We buy Emma Kate tons of clothes here because it’s so reasonable,” Ms. Moffett said. “You can’t beat a great deal. They have everything you need.”
Anyone, including visitors to Fort Irwin, is eligible to shop at the thrift store and no ID is necessary.
Ms. Carroll encouraged the community to shop for holiday gifts at the thrift store.
“You can get new gifts here for a quarter of what you would pay in a department store,” she said. “Why not save money this holiday season?”
The Fort Irwin Thrift Store is located on Inner Loop Road next to Burger King. Store hours are Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteer hours are from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The thrift store will be closed during December block leave. For more information, call 380-4076.
