Thrift Shopping in Lancaster: A Sustainable Solution for the Community
Thrift shopping in Lancaster helps both your wallet and the planet. By buying second-hand items, you reduce waste and support local charities like Community Aid and Habitat for Humanity. It’s a simple way to make a difference while finding great deals.
Community Aid on Roherstown Road, Lancaster PA. photo by Pierce Ream
By Pierce Ream
Thrift shopping in Lancaster County is more than just a way to save money—it’s a sustainable choice that positively impacts the environment and strengthens the community. With more and more stores offering slightly used items at affordable prices, Lancaster residents are embracing thrifting as a way to reduce waste, support local charities, and discover unique finds.
One of the standout chains in Lancaster’s thrift scene is Community Aid, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit organization committed to helping local communities. Community Aid offers clothing, home goods, and furniture at discounted prices. Proceeds support grants and partnerships that help individuals facing homelessness and provide educational resources. Beyond its financial impact, Community Aid fosters a sense of togetherness by connecting shoppers and charities. By choosing Community Aid, customers not only save money but also contribute to a system that uplifts those in need.
Equally impressive is Habitat for Humanity’s “ReStore,” which focuses on furniture, appliances, and home improvement materials. Offering these items at a fraction of their original cost, ReStore supports Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build affordable housing for families in need. By purchasing upcycled furniture or appliances, shoppers save money while reducing landfill waste. Lancaster’s ReStore has become a community staple, demonstrating that second-hand shopping can also be about giving second chances—not only to items but to families striving for stability.
The Environmental Benefits of Thrift Shopping
The positive environmental impacts of thrift shopping cannot be overstated. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), millions of tons of textiles end up in landfills annually. Thrifting fights this issue by extending the life cycle of clothing, furniture, and other goods. When people shop second-hand, they are taking away the demand for fast fashion.
Additionally, stores like ReStore contribute to sustainability by repurposing items that might otherwise end up as waste. For example, a dining table that might be discarded can find a new home through ReStore.
Producing new items often involves generating pollution. By choosing pre-owned goods, Lancaster residents actively participate in reducing environmental harms. Even small decisions, like buying a second-hand shirt contribute to a larger shift toward sustainability within the community.
How Lancaster Makes Thrifting Convenient
Community Aid offers special 50% off discounts for the community on applicable days. photo by Pierce Ream
Both stores also make it easy for community members to donate. At Community Aid, donations can be dropped off at designated centers where staff help assist with unloading and sorting items. ReStore even offers free pick-up services for larger items like furniture or appliances, ensuring convenience. The help of these organizations encourage more residents to embrace donating and thrift shopping as a meaningful choice.
Whether you’re a budget-savvy shopper, an eco-conscious individual, or someone seeking to make a positive impact, Lancaster’s thrift stores offer the perfect opportunity to do good while scoring great deals. From saving money to supporting local charities and reducing waste, thrifting benefits everyone involved. It’s a small step with a big impact.
By shopping at or donating to thrift stores in Lancaster, you contribute to sustainability, strengthen the community, and help promote a greener future for Lancaster.
Timeline of Lancaster’s Thrift Scene via canva by Pierce Ream
Road Access to the Donation Center, located at the side of the building. photo by Pierce Ream
The Donation Process: Easy and Impactful
Donating to thrift stores like Community Aid and Habitat ReStore is a straightforward process that makes giving back accessible to everyone.
- Gather Items
Identify items in good condition that you no longer need, such as clothing, furniture, household goods, and books. Avoid donating heavily damaged or unsanitary items, as they cannot be resold.
- Check Guidelines
Each store has specific donation criteria. Habitat ReStore primarily accepts furniture, appliances, and building materials, while Community Aid welcomes clothing, accessories, and home goods. Check their websites or call ahead to confirm what is accepted.
- Prepare Donations
Wash clothing and clean other items to ensure they are ready for resale. For furniture, ensure it is free from significant damage and stains.
- Drop Off Items
Most thrift stores, including Community Aid, have staffed donation areas to assist with unloading items. Habitat ReStore offers a free pickup service for larger donations, such as appliances or furniture, simplifying the process further.
- Get a Receipt
Donors are able to request a tax-deductible receipt for their contributions, making it even more rewarding to give back.
Prism Thrift: Sustainable and Inclusive Shopping in Lancaster City
Prism Thrift, founded by co-owners Katie Farbo and Sarah Kelly Jones, is a nonprofit thrift store in downtown Lancaster that caters to the LGBTQ+ community. Created to support and uplift people looking to experiment with their fashion, the store offers mostly secondhand clothing and accessories promoting sustainability while reducing waste. Proceeds also support local LGBTQ+ initiatives. Prism Thrift provides a welcoming space for individuals to explore unique styles in an inclusive environment, making it a go-to destination for eco-friendly, and affordable shopping downtown.
Katie Farbo & Sarah Kelly Jones
photo by Local 21 News
Katie Farbo and Sarah Kelly Jones are the co-owners of Prism Thrift, a thrift store in downtown Lancaster that focuses on supporting the LGBTQ+ community. They opened the store to allow people to explore their styles while supporting sustainability.
Katie is passionate about reducing waste and helping the environment, while Sarah focuses on creating spaces where people can express who they are. Together, they’ve created a store that sells secondhand clothing, giving life to new items that could have ended up in landfills. Since opening in September 2024, Prism Thrift has become a place where people can shop, experiment with fashion, and feel accepted.
Map of Thrift Stores Near Millersville University via google maps. created by Pierce Ream
References
Environmental Protection Agency. (2020). Textiles: Material-specific data. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/textiles-material-specific-data
U.S. Census Bureau. (2022). Lancaster city, Pennsylvania: Population estimates. Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lancastercitypennsylvania
Habitat for Humanity. (2023). ReStore: Shop, donate, volunteer. Retrieved from https://www.habitat.org/restores
Community Aid. (2021). About us. Retrieved from https://www.communityaid.org/about-us
created via canva