Beg, Borrow or Thrift Thursdays -- Salvation Army Family Stores

  It's Thursday and I am talking thrifting! Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity of meeting with Major Dewey Anderson who is in charge of the Family Stores. I learned so much that made me all the more excited to shop there.

LET'S SHOP

Now those who know me know I love, Love, LOVE a good deal. I also love, Love, LOVE fashion and style. And fortunately, as a military wife, I learned a while back that these things were not in conflict.How did I learn this? As a mom of a very young child, I realized I was giving away  practically new clothes. It occurred to me that others must be doing the same thing so I finally drove around the corner from the drop-off to the front of the store.What a wonderful surprise! My fears of dirty stores and inattentive salespeople were completely unfounded! The store was laid out like a department store. It was clean and I was immediately greeted. Yay! And I found terrific product. I started at the kids section and after seeing the quality of the product, I couldn't help but wander over to the ladies. Let's just say that I stayed there a while. And look at the furniture department...According to the Major, all of that is by design. The Salvation Army no longer calls their stores "thrift". They are Family Stores because they want the public to know that they are places where families are welcome. The stores are routinely shopped by mystery shoppers to ensure the high standards. They are meticulous about the product that makes it to the floor and they don't let the merchandise stagnate. I can't say that about a lot of the big name stores where I shop.

FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

It's so much more than that. Shopping at the Family Stores support the Austin Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC). In fact, the ARC is fully funded by the stores. The ARC is a sober living center that provides food and board and full services for over 100 men. Counseling, support, and job training are provided. The men work in the center or in the sorting warehouse for 40 hours a week in support of the program and their recovery. It is a six month program but if the men want to stay longer, they may stay for up to a year.I had the pleasure of seeing the center. Major Anderson walked me through the facilities. Every one we met along the way was greeted by name by the Major. I was amazed by how well he knew each man. And the facility is really cheery providing lots of recreational activity, including a putt-putt course.And they prepare the men for life after the center. They provide GED opportunities and if they want to attend a college, they are supported. The facility provides a beautiful library and computer center.It was clean and lovely. The commitment to the future health of the men really touched me.

YOU CAN HELP AND BE GREEN!

Shopping at the Family Stores helps these men but there is more you can do. Donating your goods makes a difference. And as a surprise to me, not just the sellable items. The stores are picky about what they sell but that doesn't mean they throw everything else out. The collect and bail the cloth items and sell them to charities and businesses over seas. Believe it or not, single shoes are desired and wanted. Items are sold "as-is" in auctions and much is recycled. So rather than filling up the landfill, give it to Salvation Army and let them make the most of it!A big thank you to all the Salvation Army team including Jan Gunter and Rebecca Reap who hosted me and were so helpful. And of course, my gratitude to Major Anderson for his time and for his commitment to the men of the Adult Rehabilitation Center.

HEAD ON OVER!

With it being Back to School time, head over to the Family Stores and tell them Star Traci sent you because you want your wallet to be lean, the Earth to be green, and we're definitely not mean!