1. If your clothing item has a hole in it, the collar is dirty, the zipper is broken, or there is stain on it, we CAN’T use it!  We get too many things in in perfect condition, so we don’t have time to mend, fix or de-spot any more.   We CAN use outdated clothing / hats / purses from the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s, as long as the condition is fairly good.  We have a couple gals who deal in vintage clothing who come in and buy from us on a regular basis.  The wilder, the better!
2. If your small appliance has stopped working, is missing parts (cord, handle, lid, etc.), or is damaged, we CAN'T use it!  People will not buy used printers / TVs / VCRs / telephones, etc., if they don't work.The EXCEPTION being old clocks or radios that collectors use for parts.  And, sorry, we cannot accept big items.  If your appliance doesn’t have the instruction booklet with it, or it doesn’t have a note as to condition of the appliance attached, it most likely will not sell.  People can’t figure out how to use appliances on their own (some of us can’t even do it with the instructions!)
3. If your book(s) / magazines smell like an old basement (musty), are ripped and torn, have pictures or items cut out, or have crayon marks from your children all through the pages, we can’t use them.  Again, the EXCEPTION would be OLD books that are rare just because they are very old (1900 or before).  Sometimes a collector will put up with the smell of musty to obtain a book they really want that is from the 1800s.  We cannot use regular magazines like Woman's Day, National Geographic, Reader's Digest, etc.  We can use specialty magazines like cooking, quilting, etc.
4. If your sheets / tablecloths/ other linens are torn, threadbare, stained or have holes, we can’t use them.  We CAN use old hand-made quilts that have holes or small stains, as people take them apart and use the good parts to make other things!
5. If your puzzles are missing pieces, here again, we CANNOT sell them.  You all know how frustrating it is to get to the end of a puzzle, only to find out there are pieces missing!  It is also helpful if you put the pieces in a Ziploc bag and then put the bag in the puzzle box.  That way, if a box gets tipped over and the lid comes off, no harm done!

We can sell almost ANYTHING that is in good condition.  But we cannot sell broken appliances, books, linens or clothing that is damaged.

If you get donations from other people, please ask if the appliances work.  We do plug things in to make sure they turn on, but we cannot make coffee to see if the coffee pot is operational, or make a waffle to be sure the waffle iron works!

We can always use children’s clothing.  Children’s clothing is a good seller because children grow so fast. Many parents cannot constantly invest in new clothing, and become frequent customers when they see they can get "gently used" children’s clothing at a thrift shop.

And to anyone who is still not sure whether the Thrift Store is a mission, not just a money-maker, we invite you to be there for one entire weekend and count the number of people who stop by just to have a place to come and talk.  We know a lot of them by first name, and we listen to their health and family problems and other things going on in their life.  We try to give them advice and / or encouragement.  If we are busy and they need to talk, they either wait or come back later.  These people are not our church members, but we always tell them they are welcome if they need a place to worship.
 
We really are in need of some volunteers who would be willing to be cashier on a Friday (morning or afternoon) or Saturday (morning), and we can always use help sorting and getting the shop in order on Wednesdays.  Please don't wait to be asked; just come!

We try to keep everyone up to date with a current report on the Thrift Shop. But it is better if you stop by and actually see it working!  And we truly appreciate all the donors and many people who have helped us in any way!