What You Didn't Know About The Salvation Army

Over a week ago I posted on Facebook that if anyone had any old clothes they wanted to donate to The Salvation Army I would gladly pick up and deliver to the SA for them. I never would have anticipated the positive response I got from my friends and people I barely knew.

Despite the positive response, a few people in-boxed me their skepticism because the SA sells their donations in their thrift store. In order to clarify I did some research of my own; what I found out was a pleasant surprise.

Did you know:

• What is sold in the Thrift Store is all donated Items, they are sold to the public at very minimal costs. (Really I checked. Most items are not priced over $5)
• Needy persons have priority access to a variety of donated items at no cost.
• Funds generated are used to purchase materials used in the 'Workshop for Blind Adults." They make the finest mops for the local Bahamian Market. This provides the employed a sense of self-reliance and independence.
• The SA has a Women's Shelter, A Feeding Center, Senior Programs and they work along with Social Services.

I was the most interested in their Feeding Center because feeding the homeless has always been something I'm passionate about. If you are interested, you can apply to become a volunteer at their head office on Mackey St.

So there you go, they may sell their donated items but the money goes right back into the community. The SA feeds about 500 people weekly and they provide employment to the blind. I don't know about you, but it sure is okay with me :)

 

Here's a photo of me with the staff of the Thrift Store, they were so kind and willing to give me the information I needed (and were a little camera shy!).