Thrift store deluged by weekend drop offs

The ROSE Advocates thrift store, which will be moving to a new location in the coming weeks, only exists through generous community donations.

 Without them, the store could not continue to offer items to ROSE Advocate clients and others in need of basic clothing and other items.

 The Weiser-based nonprofit provides many services to victims of sexual and domestic violence in several counties, and the thrift store operates in support of the organization’s mission.

 However, the five volunteers who keep the store running often find themselves guessing who is making well-meaning donations and those they suspect may be using the store as a convenient place to dump their junk.

 “The girls cleaned a lot of this up before I got here this morning, but the entire sidewalk was filled,” said thrift store lead volunteer Nancy Miller.

 In front of the store on Monday morning were several boxes of toys, clothing, and boots, in addition to several youth bicycles. A small portion of it may be resalable, but much of it seemed to have been leftovers from someone’s weekend garage sale.

 “This has been happening to us and we don’t want this at our new store,” Miller said. “Why do people do this to us? There is a sign.”

 There are actually three signs, in both English and Spanish, asking people not to dump unwanted items and indicating that is “illegal” to leave them there on the sidewalk. It is not clear which city code is applicable at this time, but the signs were drawn up in response to a recurring problem that makes life difficult for the small group of volunteers who must carry most of the items through the store and out to the dumpster in back.

 It is the store’s policy to accept donations only during store hours so that volunteers can decide what is needed and what is not, and to avoid situations similar to the one they encountered Monday morning.

 Store hours are Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those wishing to make donations are asked to do so then.

 “This happens all the time,” Miller said. “People will come by and pick through it, too.” 

 The practice, she added, usually results in an overwhelming clean-up effort, with items strewn across the sidewalk. At times, there have been so many items piled in front of the store, volunteers were not able to reach the door to unlock it. 

 The store is set to reopen at its new location at 181 E. Commercial St. in October. Miller and her volunteers encourage the public to kindly continue making donations during regular business hours.