EVERETT — It’s shopping with a side of caring.
The Assistance League of Everett Thrift Shop supports programs that give back to the community.
Those finds — clothes, crystal and books (starting at 49 cents) — fund scholarships, school supplies and community outreach for kids, teens and adults in Snohomish County.
The store’s bounty makes for an interesting hunt.
“We have high-end clothing for women and men. We have nice jewelry as well as china,” spokesperson Melissa Groenewegen said. “We’re the Nordstrom of thrift stores in Snohomish County.”
Men, you can find everything from sharp dress shirts to new whitie-tighties ($2.99 a pair). There are ties, ball caps and trousers. A one-stop shop for guys who don’t like to shop.
Ladies, whether you need something for the gym or a fancy gala, they’ve got you covered, along with shoes, handbags and jewelry galore.
Explore the aisles of linens, crafts and dishes. Try walking past that “Gone with the Wind” poster without putting it in your basket.
For Roxann Van Wyk, an artist and regular shopper, it’s a two-fer: low prices and a good cause. She created and donated an owl-themed holiday tree for a raffle at the store. The tree, valued at $800, raised $5 per ticket for the cause.
“I love this place,” Van Wyk said. “They have beautiful things at such reasonable prices, and the money goes to so many wonderful programs.”
She’s always on the lookout for garden art materials, like the piece she recently snagged for a garden trellis.
Donations and dedicated volunteers are what keep this place running.
“We have over 300 members, all volunteers,” Groenewegen said.
In 2023, volunteers logged over 85,000 hours, with everyone from seniors working the store to teens organizing fundraisers.
The league’s impact goes far beyond the thrift store.
Through Operation School Bell, the agency provides new clothing, shoes and hygiene kits to students in need. Last year, over 5,200 local kids were recipients.
The league helps families in crisis with vouchers for clothing and household items. They partner with Housing Hope and Cocoon House to provide essential supplies and host a pop-up store for youth in need.
Projects fund scholarships to help high school seniors graduate and for college students to earn a degree.
Another initiative, in partnership with Heroes Cafe in Lynnwood, supports homeless veterans by providing backpacks with supplies and vouchers to shop at the store.
For shoppers, the store offers sweet deals.
This grandma recently picked up a VTech Learn & Zoom Motorbike riding toy in mint condition for only $5.99, about $40 off the retail price. It plays music, beeps, makes engine revving sounds and burns toddler energy.
Vroom vroom!
Andrea Brown is a freelance writer and former employee of the Everett Herald.
Assistance League of Everett, 5107 Evergreen Way, Everett
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday; open until 5 p.m. on Thursday. Closed Sunday.
Donations: Accepted from 10-noon on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Phone: 425-252-3011
Email: contact@assistanceleagueofeverett.org
Web: assistanceleague.org/everett
2023-2024 Scorecard
Source: Assistance League of Everett
- Children and teens receiving school clothing: 5,276
- Graduation awards given: 244
- College scholarships awarded: 12
- Starting Over Supply Kits distributed: 70
- Transitional Support vouchers used: 110
- Cocoon House/U-Turn Center youth served: 80–100
- Member and community volunteer hours donated: 85,279
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