Thrifting has recently gained in popularity with more young people catching on to the idea of sustainability. Reusing, repurposing for the greater good of the planet. You are either “a picker and a digger” or you are not. I was raised as a thrifter. I remember as a young child driving around the neighborhood with my mom during the town’s “Throw Out” week, when people placed their unwanted items on the curb for others to pick up and claim as their own. I called it “Throw Up” week as young kids do mixing up words.

About twice a year Family Promise of Sussex County partners with Nick’s Hope in bringing together a Pop Up Thrift Shop free for the community. This year it will be held on November 16th with the First Presbyterian Church of Newton acting as our gracious host.

Interested in thrifting? Here are some pro-tips:

· Don’t go with the idea that you are looking for something specific. Be open minded, use this as an opportunity to try, buy something that you normally would not.
· Some stores don’t have proper dressing rooms or none at all. Wear clothes that you could easily take a layer off or be able to add a layer to try something on.
· Pay attention to labels, fabrics, prints, where it was made – these are all clues for quality.
· Try to find a thrift shop in or near a wealthy community, more apt to find higher quality items at a discounted price.

Just go out there and try, you never know what you will find and the thrill of the hunt especially when your score is amazing. Let us know what has been your greatest second-hand thrift find.