Impact Thrift Stores Celebrates Ten Years of Repurposing, Recycling …and Restoring Lives

Nov. 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Montgomeryville, PA- Thrift shopping feeds a family…shelters the homeless…educates the youth…assists the blind, and helps families and children in crisis…ask Impact Thrift Stores how!

Since the Fall of 2001, when Impact Thrift opened the doors to its very first store in Hatboro, PA, the philanthropic, non-profit organization has made Montgomery/Bucks County communities a better place to live and work, by developing business practices that strengthen the lives of local residents. At any one of the three store locations, Impact Thrift graciously accepts gently-used clothing, housewares, furniture and other donated items and the net proceeds from the sales provides financial support to a variety of local charities.

According to Paul Baur, Impact Thrift’s CEO, “It’s recycling in one of its most beneficial forms. By repurposing donated items, not only do customers avoid waste, but through their contributions, they help to restore dignity to another person’s life.” As customers shop throughout the stores, they are constantly reminded in so many ways of Impact Thrift’s mission to help others and they can also see first-hand how the stores have embraced various recycling efforts to positively impact their neighboring communities.

In celebration of their milestone 10th birthday, Impact Thrift shares reasons why shopping thrift matters to so many people:

Impact Thrift Spreads the Green…in more ways than one: Just the fact that virtually everything Impact Thrift sells ends up being placed back into service by our shoppers, places them squarely in the recycling business. But there’s more to it! Everything deemed unsellable in their stores that can be recycled…is recycled, and the money generated from recycling still goes to support other non-profit organizations, whose missions support families and children in dire need.

Impact Thrift Serves the Community: Impact Thrift does more than hand over a check every month to its supported charities; they actually go into the communities to find out how the organization can be of greater service. Because no child should be left behind, Impact Thrift hosted a back to school drive for a Norristown Elementary School, where 97% of the students live below the poverty line and could not afford basic school necessities. The drive was a huge success because so many of Impact Thrift’s employees and customers made a concerted effort to join the cause to put the needs of the children before their own needs.

Impact Thrift Offers Solutions to Moving: On the verge of tears, her eyes slowly scanned the room and her voice cracked as she spoke. “I just want it all gone… I can’t bear to look at it anymore”, remarked the statuesque, silver haired woman who had just lost her husband to throat cancer 4 weeks prior. Because Impact Thrift knows how difficult moving transitions can be, the organization stepped in to respectfully pack up her home, offering a place where her donated items will be of value and given a new life.

Impact Thrift Develops Future Leaders: Two classes of enthusiastic 4th grade students at Pennypack Elementary School are making a difference in the Hatboro-Horsham community by organizing a Collection Drive for Impact Thrift, while focusing on helping others and being kind to the environment. The talented, young students will be running the show from start to finish and will inspire their friends and family to make a green impact in their neighborhoods!

Impact Thrift Knows Employees are its Secret Weapon: Regardless of her history and past circumstance, Impact Thrift gave a young woman who was performing mandatory community service at their Hatboro store a second chance. By offering her a job they gave the once-upon-a-time-hard-luck young lady a fresh start and a new lease on life. Years later she is still happily employed at that store where she feels a genuine concern for her well-being and success.

Impact Thrift Lends a Helping Hand: When Impact Thrift received a call that a family of three in Philadelphia: a mother, father, and two year old child, were devastated by a tragic fire (where they lost their home and all of its contents, and were subsequently living in a hotel), they didn’t hesitate to answer the call. Knowing that the family was suffering emotionally, physically and financially, Impact Thrift stepped in and offered the family financial support so that they could begin to rebuild their lives.

Impact Thrift Empowers Local Residents: Naturally, one of the main benefits to the local economy is the employment opportunities. Impact Thrift has created hundreds of employment opportunities for local residents and is set to continue along this employment trend as it extends its footprint with a new Mega-Thrift store opening in Feasterville in February 2012.

Thanks to Impact Thrift Stores, customers and donors no longer have to choose between shopping, being charitable, or reducing their carbon footprint. They can accomplish all three in one shopping experience! Celebrate 10 years of giving with Impact Thrift Stores at all three store locations, Saturday December 3rd, 2011! For more info visit: www.impactthrift.org.