b'Gathering donationsconnected with an organization that will pick it up.F inding an excellent source for qualityWe provide an easy solution for donors that donations is another essential elementdrives qualified referrals to thrift stores doing to launching a thrift store.amazing work across the country, Steve said. We Donations are the absolute lifeblood of ahave seen tremendous growth in donations by thrift store, Steve said. [Its important to] startmaking the process more convenient for donors. your donation collections system. He also suggests installing an attended dona-Hope House has donations bins and the optiontion center in the most convenient location of dropping used goods at the store. Spokane- available, preferably near homes of wealthy people. based Union Gospel Mission welcomes donationsConsider using a former fast-food drive-through, at its main ministry location as well as at any of gas station, or laundromat, he said.its four stores, and offers a pickup service. In Rockford, Illinois, the Rockford Rescue To help ensure quality donations, Steve recom- Mission has nearly 20,000 cars come through its mends focusing on convenience for the donor. donation drive-through each year. Not only can We see clothing donation bins all over thestaff fully stock the ministrys thrift store, but also country, whether supporting for-profit orthe mission is able to send excess clothing to those nonprofit, he said. The reason these work isin need around the world.because they are inexpensive and convenient.Large numbers of donations may also prompt Hope Gospel Mission based in Eau Claire,ministries to consider expansion. Wisconsin, offers donors to its area storesthreeUnfortunately, there were many thrift stores are traditional thrift operations and one sellsthat felt overwhelmed and stopped taking dona-used building suppliesthe option of callingtions [during the increase in the last two years], or going online to schedule a pickup. Steve said. It has always been our goal to grow In Rockford, Illinois, the Rockford Rescue Mission has nearly 20,000 cars come through its donation drivethrough each year. Not only can staff fully stock the ministrys thrift store, but also the mission is able to send excess clothing to those in need around the world. Steves www.pickupmydonation.com, launcheddonations and let the increase drive growth in in 2011, helps those whod like to give connectour current stores and then expand to additional with places that could use their secondhand items.locations. Organizations such as Alabamas Downtown Res- Hope House moved its thrift-store operation cue Mission link to the site, where a donor enters in Bowling Green from a 3,000-square-foot a zip code and information about the type andbuilding to an approximately 6,000-square-foot condition of the donation. Then, the individual islocation before opening its current spot, a 10,000-16 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022'