Thrifting For Hope: St. James' Thrift Shop

Located in the small upstate village of Skaneateles, The St. James Church thrift shop is a 75-year-old second hand store run entirely by volunteers. The store is a registered nonprofit and every single penny earned is donated to local and national charities. From clothes to lamps and silverware, unsold items are given away to locals in need. The St. James thrift shop is a place where everyone is welcome and nothing goes to waste.

St. James’ Thrift Shop is run by several volunteers, most of which are retired. They strive to do as much good as they can through the store.
St. James’ Thrift Shop is run by several volunteers, most of which are retired. They strive to do as much good as they can through the store.
Volunteers Suzanne Beatty and Laura Bigness sort and tag new donations. All items are first checked for quality before they are sold and are mended or fixed if needed. For items that cannot be sold, the store donates the materials to make sure nothing is wasted.
Volunteers Suzanne Beatty and Laura Bigness sort and tag new donations. All items are first checked for quality before they are sold and are mended or fixed if needed. For items that cannot be sold, the store donates the materials to make sure nothing is wasted.
The store is open to all types of donations from clothing to kitchen items, including a collection of donated mugs for sale.
The store is open to all types of donations from clothing to kitchen items, including a collection of donated mugs for sale.
The volunteers have noticed a rise of interest in thrifting in the past few years amongst younger people. “I don’t care who the customers are. It’s all money that’s going back to the community” - Suzanne Beatty
The volunteers have noticed a rise of interest in thrifting in the past few years amongst younger people. “I don’t care who the customers are. It’s all money that’s going back to the community” - Suzanne Beatty
Volunteer Carolyn Legg holds a price tag on a purse. Each month items are discounted, after 4 months if an item is not sold, it is donated to charity. The shop often donates to Dr. Weeks Elementary school and the Samaritan Center.
Volunteer Carolyn Legg holds a price tag on a purse. Each month items are discounted, after 4 months if an item is not sold, it is donated to charity. The shop often donates to Dr. Weeks Elementary school and the Samaritan Center.
Carolyn Legg checks out a customer. The store frequently helps those in need in the local area. For example, they recently donated $12,000 to the Skaneateles library.
Carolyn Legg checks out a customer. The store frequently helps those in need in the local area. For example, they recently donated $12,000 to the Skaneateles library.
The store used to donate to refugee families through an organization called Interfaith. However, this year the government paused the refugee admissions program, which makes this no longer possible
The store used to donate to refugee families through an organization called Interfaith. However, this year the government paused the refugee admissions program, which makes this no longer possible
Whatever [cause] in the community needs help… let us know and we can do for them” – Laura Bigness
Whatever [cause] in the community needs help… let us know and we can do for them” – Laura Bigness
The thrift shop was founded in 1950 by the St. James Episcopal Church. All profits made are donated to several nonprofit organizations.
The thrift shop was founded in 1950 by the St. James Episcopal Church. All profits made are donated to several nonprofit organizations.
Every dollar earned goes to local and national causes. In 2024 alone, the store donated over $80,000 dollars in cash around the world. “I always encourage all of our different volunteers that come in, if you know of anybody or anything that needs support, let us know” - Laura Bigness
Every dollar earned goes to local and national causes. In 2024 alone, the store donated over $80,000 dollars in cash around the world. “I always encourage all of our different volunteers that come in, if you know of anybody or anything that needs support, let us know” - Laura Bigness
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