In Canada, the average person throws out 81 pounds of textiles annually, while North Americans send 10 million tonnes of clothing to the landfill every year. Since COVID started, donation centres for thrift stores around Prince George have been seeing a huge increase in both clothing and household donations. It’s great to see people supporting these charitable causes and their community.
Need some donation motivation? Check out Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up or Get Organized with the Home Edit Netflix series. Okay, so I admittedly don’t organize my books by rainbow colour or painstakingly fold each clothing item like Ms. Kondo, but I have (like many Prince Georgians) done some serious purging since I started spending more time at home. There are so many great charities to donate unwanted items to, and you can feel good in letting your items find a new home that isn’t the landfill. Whether you’re looking to donate some unwanted items, or are into thrift store shopping, check out some of these amazing organizations in Prince George.
The Salvation Army
Vintage French poster thrifted from the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army now has a few locations around Prince George. One on 18th Avenue, one in the Hart, and their newest location in College Heights. This charity offers practical assistance for children and families, often tending to the basic necessities of life, providing shelter for homeless people, and rehabilitation. I regularly donate items to the 18th Avenue location. There’s a quick an easy drive-thru type drop off. You enter a coned area in a large lot beside the building where volunteers are awaiting your donations.
Prince George Hospice Society
The Prince George Hospice Society renamed its existing resale shop to Worth Repeating and opened a second location downtown on 3rd Avenue named Worth Repeating 2. The Hospice Society provides care that focuses on the quality of life for people who are experiencing an advanced, life-limiting illness and their caregivers. I love what this organization represents; what a great non-profit to support. While they’re currently at capacity for donations, if you’re looking to pick up some seasonal decor for this Christmas, some super reasonably priced clothes for sprouting kids, or funky accessories, they’re a great shop to support. Check their website in the near future for updates as to when they will be accepting donations again.
St Vincent De Paul
The Society of St. Vincent De Paul is dedicated to feeding, clothing, housing, and healing individuals and families in the community who are in need. Their location downtown on 3rd is acceptating donations at the back entrance of the store by appointment only (250-562-5136) and requesting that no drop-offs are left at the store.
Hospital Auxiliary
The PG Hospital Auxiliary thrift shop sales help to raise funds for UHNBC. Clothing is cleaned, pressed, priced, and put out for sale by the volunteers. Volunteer applications are available in store. If you’re into thrift store shopping, this store is in close proximity to several thrift stores downtown including Worth Repeating 2, Bibles for Missions, and St Vincent De Paul.
Bibles for Missions
Purchases from Bibles for Missions support more than 40 countries by funding dozens of initiatives through their joint ministry with the Bible League of Canada. Staffed with friendly volunteers, the store regularly has 50% off sales and often accepts donations around back.
Earth and Crown
I stumbled upon this amazing consignment store while having coffee at Cafe Voltaire. I watched the owner of Earth and Crown set her sandwich board sign outside on the sidewalk and thought I’d head upstairs to check it out. This upscale boutique offers all eras of clothing, reworked fashion, and environmentally friendly designs by local artisans. If you’d like to consign with Earth and Crown, they do require an appointment to do so. Her site even offers booking a one hour private shopping event (or bring up to three friends), where staff can help you put together outfits for a custom shopping experience.
Volunteer Opportunities
Looking to help out? The majority of positions for these charitable organizations, specifically thrift stores, are volunteer based. With the major increase in donations, a helping hand from those who have time would surely be appreciated. The Salvation Army has a volunteer application form online for their thrift store, warehouse, and food bank. The Hospice Society of Prince George lists both indirect and direct volunteer opportunities as well as an application form through their website. Saint Vincent De Paul is currently seeking volunteers for both their drop-in centre and thrift stores. More information can be found on their site as well.
It’s fantastic to see such an increase in donations throughout the community of Prince George. With this influx of donations comes added income for these amazing non-profits to support those in need throughout our community. And hey, who ever said spring cleaning had to be done in the spring? I love a good purge of unused clothing or items I know can be given a new home, and a second life, at any time of the year.
Happy thrifting/donating fellow Prince Georgians!
