Wallet Salvation

The Salvation Army Family Store, Bloomsburg PA

As you walk into the store, the faceless mannequins in the window wearing the season's latest outfits will be the first thing you notice. The store itself is filled with clothes of all shapes and sizes. A men's, women's, and children's section are the biggest attractions. Clothes are not the only thing the store carries however, in fact, it has about as much as one can imagine. Toys, electronics, and furniture are just some of the other products for sale to help less fortunate people save money.

For over a hundred years the Salvation Army has been providing services to citizens in the United States such as disaster relief, family tracing, and charity. It is easily recognizable by it's red shield which reads "The Salvation Army". What most people do not know is that The Salvation Army originates from England, where a man by the name of William Booth started it in 1865 as a religious group. To to this day, The Salvation Army is still considered a religious group, and is even closed on Sundays due to it being considered a religious day by Salvationists. From England, The Salvation Army spread to many different countries through its' disaster relief efforts.

William Booth, found of The Salvation Army

Whether you are looking for some cheap clothes or into something more vintage, you'll be sure to find something you like at The Salvation Army Family Store. The store carries a massive selection of clothing for people of all shapes and sizes. Each section is sorted first by item type, and then by color. The store is kept brightly lit, so that customers can get a good look at what they are seeing. T-shirts, jackets, pants, and many other different types of clothing are put together in colorful rows of blues, reds, greens, and any other color you can think of. The store kind of has an old, musty aroma that you'd imagine around used clothing. However, it is not very strong, and certainly do not let it stop you from visiting the store.

A view of the store from the men's section

The women's section is by far the largest in the store, containing rows and rows of used female clothing such as skirts, blouses, and sweaters. The far wall is lined with dresses, which can be prom, casual, or even wedding dresses. A shoe section contains heels, flats, and sneakers for any occasion. "I love coming into the store, there's always something new I can find," says Mollie Semler, an avid thrift shopper at the store. "The prices are amazing and you can find some really fun pieces of clothing. I never know what I'm about to come across when I shop there." The Salvation Army Family Store is one of the few places you'll be able to find an ugly christmas sweater 5 feet away from a wedding dress.

Although the men's section is half the size of the women's there is still a great selection to choose from. The setup is familiar- clothes are still arranged by type and color. This time instead of a wall of lined with dresses, there's a wall lined with snazzy suits and dress shirts arranged in row that resembles a rainbow. All types of brands are to be found in the store, which provides a great way to find new clothes. I was even able to buy a pair of shoes for six dollars, that retail for over 200 dollars!

Red Wings purchased for $6

The employees run around in navy blue sweaters with white shirts underneath, and dark colored pants. Some push around large carts which hold the inventory that has to be put out. "The inventory comes either locally or from trucks that bring it in from other locations," says Mary, who's been the supervisor of the store for nearly five years. Mary is a middle aged woman with dark hair who is wearing the regular uniform. "All profits go towards the things The Salvation Army does," such as the disaster relief and charity work. "Not everything that is donated to one store can be sold there, so it's held in the back until a truck can come and bring it to another store." The back of the store is spooky and quiet, and also has enough product to fill another whole store. Along with extra clothes, appliances, and other household goods, the back also contains racks and tables which are used to display all the things in the store.

A truck dropping off goods for the store

Clothes are not the only item that the store has to offer, of course. There's a household section which offers appliances, dishes, and vases; a movie section that includes all types of genres; a book section that satisfies all ages; and even a toy section for the kids. All of these items are intended to help those who are looking to save money by purchasing items second hand. "One of the benefits of my job is seeing those who are less fortunate find something that they can really put to good use."

If you're looking to purchase some used or discounted items such as clothes, furniture, or home goods, you can head on down to The Salvation Army Family Store, located on West Main Street in Bloomsburg, right in between the FNB Bank and Exclusively You. You'll be sure to find a wide selection of goods that you might not have known you even wanted. Thrift shopping is also a great alternative to normal shopping because you can save so much money. Next time you get an itch to go shopping, give The Salvation Army Family Store a try.