Expert thrifters elevate Salvation Army thrift store

used clothing, housewares or furniture you can directly help change lives.”

Proceeds from Salvation Army thrift stores fund The Salvation Army’s costfree, six-month Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) programs to help those struggling with drug and alcohol use.

At the Las Vegas ARC, Administrator for Business Major James Boyd said about 500 people go through the program each year, with 87 beds available for men and 30 for women.

“It's a totally free program,” Boyd added. “The only funding is from four wonderful thrift stores throughout Las Vegas and the donated items people give us.” No matter how people find their way into the ARC program, Boyd said it’s his job “to offer the help and make miracles happen.”

“It's actually shopping for good,” Wessendorf said. “You can feel good about your decision to shop and donate to us because it's going to a good cause and staying local to help those in need in our community.” touching on how fast-fashion brands often flood the racks at other thrift stores.

With the rise of thrift influencers on social media, Nicole Wessendorf, Public Relations and Community Engagement Manager of The Salvation Army

Southern Nevada, said she wanted to find a creative way to get people involved in the thrift store’s mission.

“I know these influencers shop at Salvation Army stores, but they may not realize what that actually benefits,” she said. By simply buying or donating

To help raise awareness of the thrift stores’ mission, Wessendorf said she invited local influencers to help pull 1,000 items to be tagged as free in the five days leading up to National Thrift Shop Day on Aug. 17. While selecting items for the promotion, Boyd came to share the work of the ARC.

Then after celebrations ended, the Thrifters Anonymous duo approached Wessendorf with the idea to curate an expertly thrifted clothing rack. Af-