OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – To honor Veterans Day, many retail and resale stores offered deep discounts, and are using the profits as a way to help Kansas City’s homeless.
Shopper Cheryl Pittman knows the City Thrift Store like the back of her hand, because she frequently shops there usually a few times a month.
“I have a granddaughter and she has the brands that she likes, I hit that. And then if there’s something that I need, I know where my sizes are,” said Pittman.
Pittman says the satisfaction she gets from a bargain is about more than saving money, she also has a passion for helping the homeless.
Alan Hayworth, who has worked at the thrift store for seven years and counting, said he has been seeing a trend. More and more people have been loading up carts with clothes and toys, opening their wallets to help the less fortunate.
“It’s probably never been as popular today as it ever has been,” said Hayworth.
City Thrift Store is owned by City Union Mission. All money made goes to the mission’s general fund which gives homeless men, women and children a place to stay, and something to eat.
“Just by donating and shopping at the stores, at the end of the day you’re helping the mission,” Hayworth said.
All items are donated and priced using guidelines, like quality and condition.
“Can you really put a price on how many people we employ and how many people we change their lives for being able to find the great bargains and clothing families,” said Hayworth.
City Thrift Store offers shoppers another way to save with the City Club Card. The cost of the club card is just 20 dollars per year and gives the card holder five to 25 percent off every purchase.
“If you’re looking for something you’re only going to use for a short period of time or wear for an unlimited amount of time, why spend the big bucks?” said Pittman, who uses the card.
There are two other thrift stores that also support City Union Mission, the City Thrift store at 77th and Wornall Road, and 2nd Chance Thrift Store at the corner of Park and Lexington Avenue.