4 minute read
Thrift Shopping for a Cause
giving back
THRIFT SHOPPING FOR A CAUSE
By Dawn Klavon
In 2012, singer Macklemore brought finding a deal into vogue with his pop hit, “Thrift Shop.” Millions were singing about “‘poppin’ tags with $20 in my pocket.”
“For me, it’s kind of like treasure hunting,” said Audrey Mascarenhas, a Bristow, Virginia resident and longtime thrift shopper. “I love the anticipation and possibility of finding a diamond in the rough.”
Shopping Locally for a Cause
Prince William is chock full of nonprofit organizations that offer retail thrift shops with steals and deals for the masses to enjoy. Proceeds from the thrift stores go to help economically disadvantaged, elderly, and disabled individuals through a variety of resourceful organizations.
Bristow resident Allyson Austin and family are fans of the sport of thrifting. She described her college-age daughters transforming a baby’s changing table into a kitchen island by placing a marble remnant on top.
“It looked really nice,” Austin said, “and the girls spent $15 on it!”
Spending money in nonprofit thrift stores offers opportunities to help others while getting something for yourself, as well as reusing items that may otherwise be discarded.
“It’s really the icing on the cake that shopping at these stores helps you give back to society,” said Mascarenhas. “I think it’s such a win-win for everyone; I also like the fact that it gives things a second lease on life.”
Thrift shopping helps people with second chances in many ways, Austin said, pointing out that stores use proceeds to help the less fortunate, and some shoppers seek low-priced fashions to start over in their own lives. Austin described taking a newly divorced friend thrifting to find business attire for her new job. “I was able to find clothes — some designer clothes with tags — and we put together some really cute outfits for her,” Austin said. “She was like, ‘Wow!’, and I was like, ‘Yeah, you just have to dig in.’”
Next time you have a free afternoon, consider digging deep in one or two or three of PWC’s best thrift shops — you’ll be shopping for a cause and getting more for less. Not all thrift shops are nonprofit, but the following Prince William shops are 501 (c)(3) organizations, striving to make a difference in our community.
Local Nonprofit Thrift Stores Goodwill Dale City Retail Center & Donation Center
2950 Dale Blvd., Dale City, 703-986-3976 Store hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Donation center hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
9769 Liberia Ave, Manassas, 571-921-4194 Store hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Donation center hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
8014 Sudley Rd., Manassas, 703-551-3200 Store hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Donation center hours: Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
House Of Mercy Thrift Store & Food Pantry
8170 Flannery Court, Manassas, 703-659-1636 Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
UVA Prince William Manassas Auxiliary Thrift Shop
9215 Center Street, Manassas, 703-361-4344 Hours: Monday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
11201 Balls Ford Rd, Manassas, 703-686-4607 Store hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. (except Wednesday, which is 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.) Donation hours: Monday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
13287 Gordon Boulevard, Woodbridge, 703-490-2396 Store Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. (except Wednesday, which is 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.) Donation hours: Monday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Second Acts Community Nonprofit Thrift Store
3900 ACTS Lane, Dumfries, 703-441-8606 Retail hours: Monday - Wednesday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Thursday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Donation drop-off hours: Accepting donations at their new Thrift Store Donation Center one block south of the store on Main Street (17690 Main St, Dumfries, VA 22026). Monday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Habitat For Humanity ReStore
Discount Home Improvement & Donation Center 10159 Hastings Drive, Manassas, 703-369-6145 Retail hours: Tuesday - Friday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Donations may be dropped off during store hours. We are currently scheduling donation pickups during operation hours. Call 703-369-6145 during store hours or leave a message at other times. Or, email at restore@habitatpwc.org.
Dawn Klavon is a journalist, author, media director and recent transplant to NOVA. She thrives on juggling multiple projects, discovering local hot spots, consuming blue crab and conquering sudoku puzzles. Dawn can be reached at dklavon@ princewilliamliving.com.
