“Thrifting, the art of finding hidden treasures in the midst of pre-loved goods, has become a timeless and sustainable way to shop. Thrift stores, with their aisles filled with eclectic items, tell stories of the past and offer the promise of unique discoveries. In this exploration of thrift stores, we’ll delve into the world of secondhand shopping, uncovering the charm, affordability, and environmental benefits that come with it. Whether you’re a seasoned thrifter or a curious novice, join us on a journey to discover the magic that lies within thrift stores and why they continue to be a beloved part of the shopping landscape.”
Team Amvets Thrift Store
999 Cardiff St San Diego, CA 92114
(619) 697-9796
Business website
“To offer assistance to the AMVETS Department of California, ensuring the availability of resources for the honorable men and women who have proudly served our nation, and to improve the mental, physical, and social well-being of veterans throughout California.”
Goodwill Retail Store and Donation Center
4220 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92117
“DONATION OPTIONS
With a network of over 50 Donation Centers across San Diego County, Goodwill has made donating your high-quality items more convenient than ever. We offer multiple methods for you to contribute to our cause.
If you plan to donate furniture, we kindly ask that you call ahead. We may temporarily suspend furniture donations when our storage capacity is full. We truly appreciate your understanding and recognize the effort involved in loading and transporting furniture items.
We gratefully accept monetary contributions, vehicles, real estate, and legacy gifts as well. Last year, more than 90 percent of our funding came from the generosity of donors like you. Thank you for helping us create positive change!”
Father Joe’s Villages Thrift Store & Donation Center
2325 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, Ca 92020
OUR MISSION & CORE VALUES Our mission is clear: to prevent and put an end to homelessness, one life at a time. This noble purpose is the guiding force behind all our actions and initiatives.
Our values are succinctly expressed in our CREED, which serves as the bedrock of our organization:
C – Compassion Compassion embodies our deep concern for others and our unwavering desire to provide assistance.
R – Respect Respect signifies an active commitment to giving special attention and showing genuine regard for every individual.
E – Empathy Empathy is our capacity to truly understand, be aware of, and demonstrate sensitivity to the emotions and experiences of others.
E – Empowerment Empowerment signifies our commitment to helping others help themselves, fostering self-sufficiency among San Diego’s homeless population.
D – Dignity Dignity is the cornerstone of our approach, affirming the inherent worth and value of every person we serve.
DAV Veteran’s Thrift Store
1624 S Coast Hwy Oceanside, CA 92054
Phone number
(800) 894-2486
Business website
“Community Service Commitment
The D.A.V. plays a significant role in supporting local charities dedicated to aiding our Disabled American Veterans. These charitable organizations, in turn, provide essential assistance to our veterans. For detailed information on our community service initiatives, please visit our Charity Services page.
DAV Industries is dedicated to providing relief and support to Disabled American Veterans and their dependents. We extend our assistance to veterans in San Diego, as well as neighboring areas such as Spring Valley, El Cajon, Chula Vista, Oceanside, Escondido, Poway, and many others where DAV’s support is crucial.
We welcome donations and gifts of all kinds, including items of value of any nature. These items are sold to the general public, and any net income generated from their sale is used to aid and support physically, mentally, and socially handicapped veterans and their families.”
Assistance League of Greater San Diego
108 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
MISSION Assistance League volunteers are dedicated to positively transforming the lives of both children and adults through impactful community programs.
VISION Our vision is a community where essential needs are consistently met, and families thrive.
CORE VALUES Our core values include unwavering Commitment, strong Leadership, high Ethical standards, Accountability for our actions, and genuine Respect for all.
GOALS
- Secure and sustain diverse sources of income to support our current and future philanthropic endeavors.
- Foster a yearly growth in membership by 3% to strengthen our collective impact.
- Elevate the recognition and visibility of the Assistance League of Greater San Diego within the local community.
- Deliver philanthropic programs and services that bring tangible value to our community while maintaining measurable outcomes.
- Ensure the effective management and upkeep of our building and property, upholding high standards in both operation and aesthetics.
Auntie Helen’s
4127 30th St, San Diego, CA 92104
auntiehelens.org
“From our modest inception, we have dedicated 100% of our net proceeds to support HIV/AIDS organizations in San Diego and San Diego County. Our journey began with a voucher program that supplied clothing and essential items to clients referred to us. We extended our help to provide clothing and blankets to the homeless and offered modest food distribution for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
To this day, we continue to offer laundry services for clients referred to us by licensed medical professionals. Moreover, our efforts are bolstered by dedicated volunteers from TRACE, ARC, and SIP programs, all of which are integral Mental Health programs affiliated with schools, county services, and the private sector.”
Bridge Thrift
4220 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92117-5508
www.bridgethrift.com
ridge Thrift is not exclusively affiliated with any religious organization or non-profit. We are a for-profit corporation dedicated to uplifting our communities financially. By funding people and organizations already established and committed to making positive changes around them, we can focus strictly on transforming your underutilized items into greater resources to give back to local communities. 100% of the net profits generated through Bridge Thrift stores are given back to our communities.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store & Donation Center
6875 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115
https://sandiegoarc.salvationarmy.org/
The Salvation Army care for homeless and needy families, but also helps serve 30 million people through a myriad of other services all year long. These include:
- Religious Services provide a place of worship and community without discrimination in every zip code across the United States
- Disaster Response Services which include assisting survivors of natural and man-made disasters to recover and rebuild their lives
- Social Service programs provide food, shelter, clothing, and financial assistance
- Casework and Counseling with programs for health care and residential assistance and abuse counseling
- Youth Services with programs for music, athletics, arts, and crafts, camping and family counseling
- Senior Centers focused on assisting the needs of older adults –including eight Silvercrest centers where seniors’ assistance is partially subsidized by federal government dollars
- Christmas Programs in which the famous Red Kettles are a centerpiece, to help families and individuals financially at year-end with toys, meals and other assistance
- Human and Sexual Trafficking Advocacy where Army officers and staff are focused on public policy in Washington, D.C., and providing services and advocacy for victims of this international crime
- Veterans Services provide a range of support, gifts, counseling, housing assistance, and comfort to those in need
- Prison Services include Bible correspondence courses, gifts/material aid, prerelease job training programs, employment opportunities in cooperation with parole personnel, and spiritual guidance for both prisoners and their families
Twice Treasured Thrift Store
8363 Center Dr, La Mesa, CA 91942
www.journeycommunitychurch.com
Twice Treasured Thrift Store is a part of the Journey Community Church
At Journey Community Church, we think church should be different.
We think everyone should feel welcome — that church should be the most genuine place on earth. In fact, we don’t really care what you wear, who you voted for in the last election, or what kind of people you hang out with. We think everyone should be welcome at church. If you want to know our “line in the sand,” it’s grace. Plain and simple.
We think Christ-followers should be passionate about making this world a better place — that focusing all our energy on ourselves is a waste of time. We think that rather than trying to be the best church in the community, we should be the best church for the community.
So, no matter what, come as you are. Life is too short to pretend to be someone else. Join us at a weekend service, and see how church can be different.
Deseret Industries Thrift Store & Donation Center
1773 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Information about Donations
You may take donations to your local DI during donation hours.
Donations are accepted year-round Monday through Saturday. Donations are not accepted on Sunday.
You can also take your donations to one of our convenient container locations. Call the store nearest you for locations.
Pickup requests are not available in most locations. Contact your local DI if this service is required.
2022 DI by the Numbers
Associates served: 9,186
Job placements: 1,881
Goods recycled: 73,019,376 pounds
Furniture items manufactured: 77,330
Community grants: 12,954
Stores: 46
