Goodwill offers good deals

MT. PLEASANT — While the appropriate response to a compliment on a piece of clothing, art, or furniture is traditionally “thank you,” those that found those items after a long hunt through a thrift shop may be more apt to respond, “Thanks! It was only [insert surprisingly small amount of money]!”

After Goodwill opened a location in Mt. Pleasant last summer, thrifting opportunities to allow such a response have only increased.

Goodwill of the Heartland hosted the grand opening of their 19th location in Mt. Pleasant Aug. 4 last year with crowds lining up to get inside. Goodwill has kept up with bringing people into Mt. Pleasant as they integrated into the community with a chamber ribbon cutting and later an Easter Egg Hunt.

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Despite the Fellowship Cup’s Quarter Maybe More Store already offering thrift deals in Mt. Pleasant, Goodwill continues to receive donations and visits from shoppers. Fellowship Cup Director Ken Brown actually says he sees Goodwill’s presence in Mt. Pleasant as a good thing because it brings people to Mt. Pleasant on the hunt for not just good deals, but unique items, as well.

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“Most folks who do thrift shopping don’t just go to one thrift store,” he said. “They frequent many. So, we see it as a good thing that will bring more folks in because there is a Goodwill here again.”

That’s exactly how some 4H participants in the 2024 Share the Fun 4H Fashion Show at the Henry County Fair found their outfits.

As Triple C 4H member Abby Striegel strutted her stuff in a light green dress, the master of ceremonies told the audience how Striegel loves taking on the challenge of shopping at thrift stores for good deals and trendy outfits.

Avery Wagner, a 10-year-old member of the New London Lassies and Lads, found a blue Nike shirt and printed athletic shorts as she thrifted with a goal of finding her favorite athletic wear. Wagner managed to find the outfit for under $10.

In addition to finding good deals, Goodwill states that thrift shopping also encourages less resource consumption, less waste, and less chemical pollution. That paired with their mission to help the community, makes it hard for Brown to find fault in an organization goals similar to the Quarter Store.

“We love what Goodwill does,” Fellowship Cup Director Ken Brown said. “We don't see this as hurting our operations. Goodwill is in other major towns like Burlington and Washington, and they have other organizations that do the same work that we do, and they all work together.”

Brown says the Fellowship Cup and the Quarter Store focus on very local needs where Goodwill is able to cast a wider net and both serve the community well.

Goodwill’s overarching mission focuses on providing job opportunities and training to those with barriers as a “hand up, not charity.” They focus on equipping individuals to obtain good careers, build functional life sills, and work toward great levels of independence. They also assist homeless veterans and those in the communities they serve with voucher programs.

The Quarter Maybe More Store similarly helps those in needs by not only offering bargain deals, but also providing resources through the Fellowship Cup. Proceeds from sales made at the Quarter Store go directly to the Fellowship Cup which then helps community members with programs likes Bridges Out of Poverty, food pantries, summer sack lunch programs, and school supply giveaways.

Since Goodwill opened in Mt. Pleasant, The Quarter Store has continued to see people donating and shopping and found ways to keep them coming back. They’ve began to offer after hours donation drop offs and extended hours following the addition of the new thrift shop.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com