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Easter-time fun isn’t just for kids. Two Socorro second-hand stores invite the community to experience the joy of thrifting, which some might say is like an Easter egg hunt for grown ups.
Located at 107 California St., Safe Harbor Secondhand Store is a 501c(3) non-profit that gives its proceeds to the Puerto Seguro Safe Harbor day shelter.
“We’re here for the whole community, and you can always find something you can use,” manager Cassie Contreras said.
Safe Harbor offers $10-$20 monthly vouchers to anyone that needs help purchasing items at the store, and Contreras said that they don’t have to use the full amount all at once. Anyone is welcome to ask staff about the voucher program. Shoppers can fill a plastic shopping bag with as much clothing as it can hold for just $3 for adult items and $2 for children. The store also gives away free toys to kids and donates stuffed animals to the San Miguel fiestas for game prizes.
Contreras said they are always looking for volunteers to help out, as well as donations for the store. Additionally, they welcome donations for the day shelter, which always needs items like sleeping bags, hygiene products, towels, water bottles, hats and sunscreen.
If individuals in the community have suffered a tragedy, such as a house fire, Safe Harbor will give them furniture and household items to help them start over.
“This is a full-on charity,” director Nick Dubree said. “The idea is to help the community.”
Over at 104 Neel St., Roxann Scott’s Forget Me Not Thrift Store turns five this week. Scott donates 100% of net proceeds to the Forget Me Not Veterans Park, which she helps fund alongside Daun and Darlene Medaris. All three individuals are veterans themselves.
“When we decided we needed to do something about veteran homelessness in Socorro County, we purchased 25 acres 30 miles south of here to build tiny homes for veterans,” Scott said.
Forget Me Not Thrift Store is filled with high quality donations from the community, and Scott said their prices haven’t changed.
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“I’m allowing families to be able to afford clothes, and other things,” she said.
Like Safe Harbor, Scott gives items to families that have lost their homes, as well as donates to CYFD when children are in emergency need of things like winter coats.
Community members are encouraged to grab a basket, a box, or a flower pot and fill it up with the treasures and leave feeling happy that every penny spent is helping improve people’s lives.
Create an Easter basket full of books for your friend who loves to read, another with funky finds for an eccentric pal, and one full of tea cups and china with the promise of a best buddy tea party now that the weather is warm. The possibilities are endless and there is no shortage of inspiration once you walk through their doors.
Both stores remind the public that donations are tax-exempt.
