’Tis the season for donations – and bargains
With the holidays here, many sort through what they have to make room for what’s new.
Donating to one of the many non-profit re-sale stores in the community makes this a win-win — and win.
The donor gets to help others, the thrift generates funds for projects and the buyer, well, they get a great bargain.
Richard Leon with Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral Thrift Store, said the service organization has two such stores in Cape Coral — one at 708 SE 47th Terrace and the other at 652 Del Prado Blvd. N.
The Kiwanis Thrift Stores accept anything that is in good condition, except for used beds and medical supplies. Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“Our biggest seller is clothes,” Leon said. “We have very affordable clothing options. Books are a big thing. We give free books to kids at events, and in our stores. A kid can come in and get a free book at any time. We have furniture.”
For those who may not have items to donate but want to help the cause, volunteer time is also appreciated.
“We offer a place for people to come and volunteer,” he said.
The proceeds from the sales at the thrift stores go back into the community.
“This year we have awarded over a half a million dollars back to the community. We did $280,000 in scholarships for high school seniors. We also do some for the technical college — open to anybody going to those programs,” Leon said.
Funds from sales also go towards a grant process that opens in June and July. The awards are given to schools, and nonprofits that involve a cause to help and support children.
The Kiwanis Thrift Stores also offers assistance to those who are in need and come and talk to them.
“We have given thousands away in product. Homeless people come in, we give a set of clothes for free. We have furnished whole apartments,” Leon said. “Anything we can do to give back to the community is our focus. In any way we can help, we do it. We are here for the community and children of the community.”
In January, every Monday morning a book reading will be held at the north Kiwanis Thrift Store for children 5 and younger.
Hope Chest Resale Store Manager Fran Nanio, of the Cape Coral location, said the store moved from North Fort Myers on U.S. 41, between Pondella Road and Hancock Parkway, three years ago this month, because of Hurricane Ian.
The store is next to Belk in the old Home Goods store.
“It’s a nice-size store. We get so many compliments on how clean and organized the store is and our displays,” she said. “It doesn’t look like a thrift store. It looks like a home store.”
The store has an assortment of items ranging from furniture to clothing, vintage collectibles, houseware, home decor, dish sets, books, to Christmas decorations.
“We have everything and anything,” Nanio said.
Donations they do not accept are mattresses and box springs. Furniture, she said, has to be in good condition and salable without any rips and stains.
Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the back of the store. On Thursday, she said they offer pickup service free of charge for large furniture pieces. To schedule a pickup call (239) 652-1114.
Besides the two-part time employees, the store is staffed with volunteers, most of whom have had experiences with Hospice.
“Hospice has taken care of their loved ones. It’s their way of giving back,” Nanio said. “We appreciate all of the donations and volunteers so much.”
All of the proceeds from the store go back to Hospice patients and families. Some of the proceeds are used for free grief support to anyone in the community of all ages, a free grief camp for children to help navigate complex feelings, as well as special needs and wish funds for such things as a nice night out with family.
The store hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is at 2354 Surfside Blvd.
Other place to donate items this holiday season include:
• St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store
2023 Del Prado Blvd.
• Salvation Army Family Thrift Store
4506 Del Prado Blvd S.
(239) 540-0265
• Goodwill
South Cape: 3226 Del Prado Blvd. S.
Pine Island Plaza: 1260 NE 8th St.
North Cape Coral: 2040 NE Pine Island Road