Salvation Army thrift stores fund rehab services, but seeing fewer donations
The Salvation Army is putting out the call for more donations and more shoppers at its chain of Valley thrift stores.
Last year, revenue at the second-hand outlets was down about $385,000 -- roughly 25% lower than pre-COVID levels. Proceeds from the stores largely fund the nonprofit's Adult Rehabilitation Center, which provides free substance abuse treatment.
“The Salvation Army is not immune from the economic obstacles other businesses face, including changed buyer behavior due to the pandemic, staffing shortages, and the rising cost of gas and other products," said Major Darren Stratton, who oversees the stores in Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler and Peoria.
The stores sell typical items: second-hand clothes for adults and kids, home decor and housewares. Prices are competitive. Women's T-shirts are $1.99. The selection of used furniture has dwindled since the store cut out at-home pick ups to save money.
"Donor support is the lifeblood of what we do," Stratton said.
The 117-bed Adult Rehabilitation Center is located next door to the Salvation Army's operation just south of downtown Phoenix.
Residents get three meals a day and attend counseling and support groups. The program is Christian faith- and 12-step based. Bible scriptures are read daily and worship services are integral to the program.
Many of the residents work processing thrift store donations. Others are assigned kitchen or laundry duties.
Andrew Martin, 40, got kitchen duty when he showed up at the Salvation Army program 15 months ago after moving to Arizona from Tennessee, where he'd bounced around mental health treatment and sober living facilities.
Martin said the program helped him reconnect with his faith. And knowing that people were counting on him to be on duty gave him a purpose.
"This is the longest time I’ve been sober," Martin said.
After completing the program, Martin was given a job helping enroll people in the treatment center. He said he feels a sense of responsibility to "pay it forward to the next person that comes into the program."
“You can come in with the clothes on your back and they will help you,” Martin said.
How to help
Eight Salvation Army Thrift Store and Donation Centers operate in Arizona. Two are in Tucson, one in Casa Grande. Here are the Maricopa County locations:
24 E. Mohave St., Phoenix
2324 N. Scottsdale Road, Tempe
1849 W. Greenway Road, Phoenix
4920 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler
8702 W. Cholla St., Peoria.
Additionally, a dropoff-only site is located in Surprise at 17420 N. Avenue of the Arts.. Make donations and find more information about the substance abuse rehab program at phoenixarc.salvationarmy.org.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Salvation Army rehab programs need funds from thrift store sales
