Isn’t The Salvation Army just a Thrift Store?

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the Christian church. We do own and operate thrift stores, but they are just one expression of our ministry. The income generated by these thrift stores provides much-needed support for the day-to-day operation of The Salvation Army’s many other programs and services all over the country, particularly our adult rehabilitation centers.

The Salvation Army has always looked for creative methods to fund its ministries. In the late 19th century, volunteers would go out to collect items that could be resold or refurbished. Their collections became so successful that a buildings were soon needed for storage and sales; thus The Salvation Army’s thrift store concept was born.

Physical stores opened in various cities across the county, often modeled after larger retail stores. Collections were expanded with a fleet of trucks ready to pick up donations. The thrift store business was so good that by 1929, when the stock market crashed, more than half of the organizational budget was garnered through resale. Thrift stores continued to be a reliable source of income and service throughout the Great Depression as hard economic times forced Americans to overcome any reticence to purchasing second-hand items. A later post-World War II economic boom resulted in the rise of mass production and a more consumption-based culture that valued the purging of old and purchasing of all new goods. This in turn provided thrift stores with increased donations and the opportunity for increased sales. Thrift store success continued throughout the 20th century as many charitable organizations started and expanded thrift store operations in order to better fund services in their communities.

The market for secondhand sales is still healthy and has been growing rapidly. The Salvation Army continues to rely on thrift store sales as a major funding source for our services. While bargain hunters look for a deal in our stores, we know that the best deal is the impact to the communities made through the lives changed in the programs and services supported by store sales. The Salvation Army is built on the message of hope embodied in giving everything and everyone a second chance.

Where do my donation items go? Do they go to someone in need?

All items donated to Salvation Army thrift stores are used to help people in need.  However, giving them directly to others is often not the most efficient way to help the most people with what they truly need. Those we serve often need much more than just clothes and shoes or even furniture. They might need shelter or a meal or help with rent or to have a utility bill paid so they can avoid services shut-off.  They might need a safe place for their kids to go for summer camp or a bag of groceries or a space in a rehabilitation program. Sometimes people most need a listening ear and good counsel to help them figure out what to do next when they have lost a job or a loved one.

Some Salvation Army units assist people with thrift store vouchers to receive items due to a house fire or need to reestablish themselves after homelessness. It is far more beneficial that we are also able to use income from sales to meet even bigger and more varied needs.

Donated items are sold in Salvation Army thrift stores at discounted prices to benefit both those shopping for a good deal and those receiving the benefits of the programs supported by the income. Gently used clothing, household goods and furniture can be donated directly to donation drop-off sites. In some areas donated goods can even be picked up by Salvation Army store trucks. As much as possible, all items received are either resold, reused or recycled. 

Once received, donated items undergo a quick assessment. Items ready to be sold are sorted, priced and placed on the sales floor, usually in the location at which they were donated. Sometimes goods are moved between locations to ensure good inventory at each store and an increased likelihood of selling. Some clothing and other items can be recycled or sold to ethical suppliers who use them for other products such as carpet padding or upholstery stuffing.

What about the money I spend shopping? Where does it go?

The Salvation Army is non-profit. When someone shops at a Salvation Army thrift store, they can be assured that as large a portion of the income as possible goes towards helping others. After covering store operational costs like trash disposal fees, staff salaries, rent/utilities and website maintenance, a significant portion of the revenue is directly allocated to the organization’s social service programs, including rehabilitation centers, disaster relief, and other assistance for those in need.

Depending on where a store is located the proceeds may directly benefit a specific program, like a local adult rehabilitation center. Other stores are operated by a corps unit and directly support a variety of local programs such as rent and utility assistance, children’s camps, food pantries, and shelters for persons experiencing homelessness.

Shop and donate confidently – either way you are helping a neighbor in need.

Images via Red Shield Toolkit | This article was originally titled “More Blessed to Give — Even Gently Used (Acts 20:35)” in the September 2025 issue of The War Cry.