DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - If the warm weather is making you want to kickstart spring cleaning, you're not alone. Local thrift stores are looking forward to an increase in donations from people who want to clean out their closets, garages and basements.Â
"We really need men's clothing, children's clothing and nice decor, as well as electronics," said Carolann Carara, director of retail operations at Blessingdales. "We're really in need of furniture as well because we sell couches, dressers, end tables, kitchen tables and chairs, bar stools, all that type of stuff."Â
Every dollar made at Blessingdales helps fund God's Shelter of Love, a local shelter for women and children. They sell items donated by the community to help others in need.Â
Those donations can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. They can accept most items, even clothing with stains, as those can be donated for a profit.Â
Carara said the team takes careful consideration into the displays and prices in the store, to ensure anyone can purchase what they are looking for.Â
"We make it look as nice as we can, so maybe you don't have enough money to go into the regular, full price store, but you get the same good feeling about coming in here," Carara said. "You don't feel like you're less than, it makes it when you feel good about coming here, good about saving money and getting what you need."Â
Carara said the store provides 50 to 60% of the revenue needed to run the shelter.
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