Serve

What we do and who we serve in the Community

Sell good quality used clothing and house wares at bargain prices.

Provide an environment for shoppers and donors that is respectful, honoring the giver as well as the receiver.

Free bin available outside during store hours and filled daily with items that are usable but not saleable.

The Episcopal Farmworkers Ministry in Newton Grove receives many items regularly from us that help their migrant workers. In 2007, we sent more than 3 tons of clothing and 140 boxes of house wares.

CARE Cases created by St.Anne’s Guild of St. James Parish and Bargain Box are given to the Dept. of Social Services to provide toiletries, writing material, stuffed animal etc. for children removed from home and going into Foster care.

The Salvation Army receives clothing that isn’t usable for our projects which they can bale and send to third world countries. Approximately 5.5 tons were donated in 2007.

Grants may be applied for by non-profit organizations. Following reading, reviewing, and approval of the grant applications, we have given grants to more than twenty charitable agencies, totaling more than $24,000.

Good Shepherd Ministries receives half of our annual profit proceeds for their ongoing ministry. To date we have given $32,000 to this ministry for the homeless.

Bargain Bucks are available to churches or organizations that request help for their clients. We have collaborated with 65 different organizations, which has multiplied the number of people we have served through those agencies. Bargain Bucks look similar to a $10 bill and spend like $10. This makes the transaction a more pleasant experience with more dignity for all concerned.

Employment and training Bargain Box has seven employees who have been trained in a variety of areas (cash register skills, evaluation of items for resale ie. antiques, vintage clothing etc.) Several employees over the past 8 years have been from organizations such as Association for Retarded Citizens, Volunteers Of America- Willow Pond, and Good Shepherd Ministries employment division.

Ecumenical Ministry Bargain Box is sponsored by Church of the Servant, falling under the umbrella of the Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina and supported by local Episcopal churches in the Cape Fear Deanery. However, we work with a variety of denominations, private charities and government agencies, i.e., Catholic Social Ministry, Pearsall Memorial Presbyterian Church, UNC-W School of Social Work, New Hanover Dept. of Social Services, Church of the Latter Day Saints, and many others.

Donations are our only source of merchandise. High quality items are generously given from a variety of sources in the community, both individuals and businesses, an average of 10 donors a day (some are truckloads).

Community relations Bargain Box works with any non-profit agency requesting assistance, whether it is a church (Catholic Social Ministry), a government agency (Dept. of Social Services), or a Federally Funded program (First in Families) for example. We have had two young men from the LDS Church that helped us regularly with our yard work. In turn, the community also supports us, such as the generous donations from Screen Gems Studios of wardrobe items from the “One Tree Hill” television show.

Recycling is an important aspect of the program. We get the goods to where they need to be. Every thing has a place and a purpose. We give things which we cannot use or sell to many different projects: Farmworkers Ministries, Salvation Army, and our own free-bin. Unsaleable and unusable items are sorted into a rag bin to sell as rags, buttons are cut off and sold, as are donated hangers. Donated grocery and clothing store bags are reused for our customer’s purchases. Unusual, antique, or extremely high end items that aren’t appropriate for a thrift store are sold on E-bay or through consignment stores. Our goal is to use everything to the highest potential in creative ways.

These organizations have received outreach services through clothing donations, Bargain Bucks, grants, and community-building activities during the past five years

Grants From The Bargain Box of Wilmington

Bulk Donations of Goods