With spiritual beliefs often forced into the closet, shoppers of thrift stores in Winnipeg may be surprised to know many shops are run by religious groups.

Mandie Johnson, a former Value Village employee, has been shopping at second-hand thrift stores for more than half her life since receiving her first pay cheque at age 13. 

Having grown up purchasing clothes and other goods in these stores, she does not feel that there are any discerning features between religious or non-religious affiliated stores.

“I am not swayed by whether or not there is a religious affiliation with the store because it does not make a difference to the products in the store,” she said.

However, Johnson did note that any store has the right to refuse to sell a donation that may be deemed unacceptable by the faith associated.

“If you were a devoted Christian and someone donated a bunch of anti-Christ T-shirts, you wouldn’t feel comfortable selling them in your store,” she said.

Johnson refuses to shop at her once favourite thrift store, and former employer, for other reasons.

“They (Value Village) used to be the place to go for anything second hand – but what is driving people away is that they are charging department store prices,” she said. “I can go to the mall and buy a brand new pair of jeans for 20 bucks, walk into Value Village and find the same pair but used – but hey, same price.”

Johnson believes that a thrift store should meet the needs of people who shop there, adding that most people who shop there need the kind of relief the outlets offer.

“ I am not swayed by whether or not there is a religious affiliation with the store because it does not make a difference to the products in the store.

Mandie Johnson, thrift store shopper

“I prefer to shop at thrift stores that I know are affiliated with the Salvation Army because I know my money is being used for good, not just profit,” she said.

According to Jenn Bregman, executive director for the prairies region of Salvation Army thrift stores, her Christian-based organization does just that.

“One of our main objectives is to have affordable clothing for all walks of life,” she explained. “The mission of the Salvation Army is so important to the community – every new face that comes through the door is an opportunity to reach out.”

The Salvation Army has a very specific list of things that are not accepted as donations for health and safety standards but, according to Bregman, all donations can be used.

“We appreciate all donations,” she said. “If it can’t go in the store because of our religious beliefs, we have a behind-the-scenes recycling centre in our warehouse.”

The in-warehouse recycling centre turns old t-shirts into rags and other environmentally friendly initiatives.

The Salvation Army’s thrift store has been run as part of the organization for the past 100 years and all proceeds go back into the organization’s community and social services.

A newer thrift store initiative, Just Like New to You, has been run by the White Cross Guild out of the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) since 2005.

The store is run mostly by retired nurses and do not officially affiliate themselves with any religion. All proceeds from the store go towards initiatives within HSC, like improving patient services.

Carol Kribbs, president of the White Cross Guild, said they get a lot of donations from friends of staff but use any donations they receive.

“We throw nothing out,” she said. “Things that we might not sell in the store are donated to one of the 20 charities we support.”

Kribbs agrees with Johnson and Bregman on the most common theme in helping the growth of the community.

“It’s very important to keep prices low for everyone,” she said. “There is no discrimination.”

Published in Volume 65, Number 9 of The Uniter (October 28, 2010)