Please...Don't Donate a Land Mine

We're thankful for every little donation that comes into the Union Mission Thrift Store from generous folks around the Kanawha Valley. For instance, did you know that about 50% of our total gifts each year come, not from cash, but from donated goods? It enables us to use what we would otherwise have to buy; give away what needy families would otherwise have to buy; and sell to support the work of The Mission (by the way, in 2008, 7% of our income was from thrift store sales.)

But, please...leave those land mines alone. Seriously, we can use a lot of things. Just not land mines.

If you aren't familiar with the Union Mission Thrift Store, here's a brief rundown on the process.

We accept donated items during normal business hours, Monday through Saturday. (You can get directions here.) You'll find a helpful group of fellas at the loading dock who will unload your items for you and provide you with a receipt that you fill out; for tax reasons, we can't put a value on anything that you provide, so we'll ask you to tell us what you think your items are worth, then you're on your way!

Of course, you may want to stop and shop a little. Inside our two-story store you'll find computers, furniture, housewares, books, decorations and bric-a-brac on the first floor as well as a very helpful staff if you're looking for something in particular.

Upstairs, the place is literally full of clothes. Women's clothes. Men's clothes. Little boys' and girls' clothes. Shoes. Belts. Hats. You name it. Everything you see has been donated by someone else and inspected upon arrival for defects.

But don't worry about the defective, stained or otherwise unusable clothes. We don't throw them away. We were green before being green was cool (and we're not just talking about our trucks, either!) Excess clothing is bailed up and shipped either to a recycling facility or to missionaries in Third World countries for distribution there. Nothing is wasted around here.

That's the Union Mission Thrift Store in a nutshell. If you want to know more, simply stop in and say hello. We'll be happy to see you, whether you're shopping or giving items away.

Just, please...don't donate a land mine.