Local thrift shop, merchant collaborate to collect donated goods

By Elizabeth Green
Diversity Institute Fellow

08.13.04

Printer-friendly page

Felicia Anchor walked into the Stein Mart store on Nashville's White Bridge Road armed with a bag of clothing. She was one of several people who arrived Thursday to donate their "gently used" clothing and shoes as a way to "help empower other people."

The way Anchor and others are empowering those in need is by donating items to benefit the local Lions Thrift Store which is working in collaboration with Stein Mart.

"A lot of times people think there's nothing one person can do," Anchor said. But she added that "one person can do so much."

Customers have brought in a steady stream of clothing since Stein Mart opened its doors at 10 a.m. for the second annual Trade In, Trade Up event, Lions store worker Nakeya Cockrill said.

By 1 p.m., the clothing bin at Stein Mart was about 80% full. The chest-high bin was stuffed with clothing including a pink dress suit piled on top of several plastic bags in assorted sizes.

Customers, who donated items, received 20% off their purchases at Stein Mart and the store advertised that it will continue to accept the gifts of clothing and shoes through Sunday. The 20% coupons will be good for purchases made through August 25.

Customers can take their donations to any of the four Stein Mart stores in Rivergate, Brentwood, Nashville and Franklin. Although there is no limit or minimum amount of clothing customers can donate, they can only receive four coupons per day, said Cockrill adding that donors were lined up outside the Rivergate store before it opened.

She said that Stein Mart officials contacted the Lions Thrift Store and proposed the annual event, which is in its second year.

The donated clothing will be sold at the Lions Thrift Store located at Charlotte Avenue and 42nd in Nashville with the proceeds going to the Ed Lindsey Industries for the Blind. That organization has run the thrift store for six years, Cockrill said.

The store sells all sizes of clothes from infant to adult, shoes, strollers, TVs, toys, books and household goods and refrigerators.

"We even have a kitchen sink," Cockrill said.

Related

Articles by Summer 2004 Diversity Institute Fellows
Collection of Articles by Summer 2004 Diversity Institute Fellows  07.23.04