Tag Archives: clothing donations

Declutter Your Closet to Help Neighbors in Need!

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Happy Friday!! Got any big plans this weekend? Well, if your weekend consists of cleaning out your closets and making space on your shoe racks then we can help!

We’re happy to take your gently used clothing and shoes off your hands! Not only is your donation tax-deductible but it also helps to keep our doors open and operating every day of the year to help neighbors in need without any charge to them!

Proceeds generated from sales at our Thrift Stores in Hagerstown & Chambersburg help to fund the many programs and services we provide the community. In fact, since we opened our doors in May of 1955 we’ve never closed nor charged anyone for any service provided. And we’ve done it all without any tax money or government funding. So your donated articles of clothing and shoes are a lot more powerful than you may think!

AND those donated items could go to a neighbor in desperate need for absolutely free from our voucher program. Our voucher program helps individuals and families in need get the clothing, shoes, and coats necessary to go about their day. A voucher is given to a person who can then go to our Hagerstown Thrift Store and select the clothing items needed in their size and style – all for free!

So if your plans include cleaning out the closet and you’re not sure what to do with your items… think of us! Your donation is a great way to invest in your community.

Our Donation Center dock is open Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri from 9am – 4pm and Sat from 9am – 3pm. Our donation dock is closed Sunday & Wednesday and all major holidays. The dock is located at the rear of our central parking lot at 215 W. Church St in Hagerstown.

If you’d like more info about donating your gently used items please visit www.hagerstownhopecenter.com/in-kind-gifts or feel free to call 301.739.1165 or email info@hagerstownhopecenter.com.

Thank you for caring & sharing with your community!

PS… wanna help out even more?? We’re always looking for volunteers to help in our Donation Center! We need people to help sort and price all the donated items. If you’re interested please call us at 301.739.1165 or email volunteer@hagerstownhopecenter.com.

More Than Just a Thrift Store

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by Aimee Izer

IMG_2324Since becoming store manager I have come to realize that The Hope Center Thrift Store is for everyone in the community. I used to think this was a place for only those whose budget was very limited. Boy, was I mistaken. God calls all of us to manage our money and to be good stewards of what He has given us.

The Hope Center Thrift Store is just the place to start. Not only are you able to bring us your gently used or new items that you may no longer need, but it is the place to start to look for those items that you do need. You may be surprised at what you may find, from clothing to housewares, toys, games, puzzles, furniture, decorations, to cosmetic, jewelry and so much more. We have it all.

There are lots of things that you will find that you can repurpose and reuse. Like a dresser that with a little TLC becomes a coffee bar or a piece of pottery that you turn into a bird bath, there is no limit to the things you can do. The Hope Center Thrift Stores are a treasure trove of unique and amazing finds.

Yes, we are a place for those who are struggling financially, and we love helping those in need, it is our purpose and mission. So please keep this in mind: all money taken in by the Thrift Stores goes right back into all the ministries of The Hope Center. As you can see, not only do your donations greatly help, your patronage to the store helps as well.

I encourage you to come to our Thrift Stores and look at what we have; it’s new almost every day. Then when you see all the great finds, tell your friends and family so they too can see what a treasure our Thrift Stores really are.

God is so good, and you may think shopping at the Thrift Store is no big deal, but let me tell you many people will be shown the love of Christ and His gift of salvation through your donations and purchases at The Hope Center Thrift Stores.

 

We have two convenient Thrift Store locations for your shopping pleasure: Hagerstown (corner of Walnut and Church Streets with free parking on our lot off of Church St) and Chambersburg at 64 S. Main Street. For more information about our Thrift Stores please visit https://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com/thrift-store

Aimee Izer is manager of our Sorting Department and Thrift Stores. In addition to all she does at The Hope Center she also spends her time reading, gardening, painting, and hanging out with her family. She is happily married for 26 years to her best friend, Terry, and is the mother of 4 boys and the proud grandmother of 4. She attends Evangel Baptist Church in Hagerstown. 

It’s Finally Time for Some Spring Cleaning!

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For a time it seemed like winter would never end! But those April showers helped to bring May flowers and some warmer weather. It’s always such a joy to watch the earth come back to life and to hear all the birds singing and enjoying the warmer temperatures.

And with the arrival of spring comes the annual tradition: spring cleaning. As you start to go through your house, room by room, getting rid of unnecessary items, please keep DSC_0805us in mind! With two Thrift Stores (Hagerstown & Chambersburg), we always welcome your gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, jewelry, housewares, and more. Sales generated in our Thrift Stores help to underwrite the cost of all of our programs and services so that we can continue to provide for our neighbors in need at no cost to them or the taxpayer.

If you are interested in donating various items to The Hope Center, here is some info you should know:

Furniture – accepted at the rear of the Thrift Store (central parking lot off of Church St) from 9AM – 4:30PM Monday – Saturday. Please do not leave items on the dock unattended, especially after business hours.

Furniture Items Accepted– beds (frames, headboards, footboards, mattresses* & box springs), couches, upholstered* chairs, dining tables and chairs, small tables (end tables & coffee tables), desks and chairs and dressers. We also accept rugs, bicycles, exercise equipment, wheelchairs and other handicap equipment.
*We cannot accept mattresses or upholstered furniture that is torn, stained or covered in pet hair.

DSC_0888Clothing & Miscellaneous – items accepted at the rear of the parking lot Monday – Saturday from approximately 8:30AM – 4:30PM (between 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM there is no assistance to unload vehicle. You may still drop off items but if you require assistance please come before or after.) Please do not leave items unattended on the dock after business hours.

Items NOT Accepted– wet/soiled clothing, computers, floor model televisions (we do take flat screen TV’s as long as they work), floor model stereos, office telephones (multiple line phones) refrigerators and freezers, washers and dryers, dishwashers, stoves, sinks and toilets, large wooden or metal desks (office), upright pianos, large organs, cribs & car seats (due to government regulations for resale), waterbed mattresses or frames and used ceiling/electric fixtures.

We accept corrugated cardboard at our Baling Facility Monday – Friday from 8:30AM – 11:30AM and 12:30 PM-1:30PM and on Saturday from 8:30AM – 11:30AM.

If you have items to donate that are not listed or you have questions about certain items, please call 301.739.1165 or email hagerstownrescue@verizon.net. We do have a truck that can pick-up your items. Each day our truck covers a specific area of town. If you’d like to schedule a pick-up, please call 301.739.1165 to get more details. You can quickly learn more about donating your gently used items here: https://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com/in-kind-gifts

Also, you can get a receipt for tax purposes by making a list of items donated. Please remember to put your name & address on the list!! Your list can be turned in at the Thrift Store or you can get a form to fill out in the Thrift Store. You will receive your tax-deductible receipt by mail in two to three weeks.

Thank you so much for your generous donations to The Hope Center! These items will help families and individuals in your community in many different ways. Go to http://www.hagerstownhopecenter.com to learn more about all the various programs and services we provide to people in need in our area.

Recycling Update

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Effective Immediately:

Recycle EarthWe’re sorry to say that we can no longer accept newspapers for recycling. We apologize for any issues this may cause.

We do still accept cardboard and rags for recycling. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our recycling program please call 301.739.1165 or email hagerstownrescue@verizon.net.

Thank you.

Congrats Graduates!

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Earlier this summer we were able to celebrate with our residents as three of them graduated from our Foundations Life Recovery program.

Our Foundations Life Recovery program is a free 13-month addiction and life rehabilitation program that helps men conquer the sins that destroy their bodies, relationships and lives. During the 13-months in the program, the men attend classes, Bible studies, and participate in work programs. These classes and programs help to educate the men about their true identity and purpose that God has for them in this life.

Some of the men who join the program have been raised in the church or Christian homes while others are brand new to the life-changing message of Christ. All of the men are dealing with addictions of some sort whether they are alcohol, drugs and pornography. The majority of the guys who come seeking help are trying desperately to stop the destruction of themselves, having already lost jobs, houses, and most importantly, relationships with family & friends.

While in our program, the guys live in our dorm and are fed, clothed and counseled for free, thanks to the generous support of our neighbors, friends, churches and other organizations in the community who fund The Hope Center. Many of the men have nothing left when they walk in the door. But they leave having gained so much for so little!

We are so thankful for the staff, volunteers and churches who help to bring the message of God’s love into the hearts of these men who Satan has enjoyed destroying. For the staff at The Hope Center, to be able to watch our residents graduate is a deeply emotional and incredibly exciting moment. Knowing how dark their lives once were and to see them glowing with the happiness of Christ, it’s a feeling that words can barely describe. Each one of these men was once a forgotten soul that Satan had thought he devoured. But God saw them for their potential in all of their sin and He had something great planned for them.

The men in our Foundations Life Recovery program have a lot of obstacles to conquer. From breaking the addictions, to learning who they can trust, to rebuilding their self value, to dealing with personal demons, there are many roadblocks in the path to recovery but these men who graduated fought the good fight and gave the other guys in the program the courage to continue their own fight to sobriety and salvation.

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So join us in congratulating the three men who got the victory this summer. Frank Shortt, Troy Robinson and Bill Rice all completed the Foundations Life Recovery program and were honored at a moving ceremony for them. Staff, family, friends and volunteers were invited to join in the celebratory ceremony where guest speaker, Matt Sargent, spoke. Following the ceremony, graduates, residents, staff and guests all gathered together for a time of fellowship in our dining room.

Jeff Duncan & SisterDSC_0079

We’ve asked each of the three men to give us a brief testimony of their journey towards recovery. Here is what they said:

Frank Shortt

Frank Shortt 2015I came to The Hope Center in September of 2013 out of desperation and loss of hope. Since coming here, God has done something in my life that I, and my loved ones, would never had thought possible.

God has, and is, changing this heart that was hardened and broken. Among many other things, He has given hope where there was no hope.

For now, my future plans consist of building my relationship with God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, along with my two biological sons.

Troy Robinson

Troy RobinsonWhen I came to The Hope Center in January of 2013 I was lost, scrambling to gain meaningful sobriety. Not just drinking and drugging, which I had succumbed to, but being able to live purposefully.

While in the program, God taught me that Jesus is the only way. He is the truth. He is the life. The hopeless can find hope in the Almighty. There is victory in Jesus.

My future plans are to finish well, rejoicing in the Lord always. “Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

Bill Rice

William Rice 2015I am 55 years old and I have struggled with alcoholism both as an unbeliever and a believer. Before coming to The Hope Center I attended Bible College but I succumbed to my addiction and fell away from the Lord. So in 2007 I enrolled in the Foundations Life Recovery program and progressed well until I blew it and was released from the program. I attribute my failure to spiritual pride because I had a knowledge of the Word that other members of the program did not.

In 2014 I knew I had to get help and asked to return to the program at The Hope Center. I finished the program and remained sober the whole time. God has dealt a lot with me in the spiritual pride area but He is still working on me.

It is my desire someday to be in ministry, but I find as a graduate that I struggle with handling freedom. I would appreciate your prayers that I would give God total control of every area of my life.

 

Please continue to pray for these men as they venture out on their own, back into the world where Satan has plenty of temptations waiting for them. Pray that they continue to fight the fight and stay strong in the Lord.

And thank you, to each of you who has invested in the lives of these men and everyone else who has come to The Hope Center seeking help in some form. From prayers, to volunteering, to hosting a chapel service, to donating food, shopping in our Thrift Stores and financially supporting us so we can continue to provide this ministry for free, God has used you to help change a life. You may not realize it or even think about it but these three men, and the countless other individuals and families helped at The Hope Center, are because of faithful friends like you who God has called to help change this city and win it for Christ.

Thank you for partnering with us as we celebrate 60 years and thousands upon thousands of lives changed in Hagerstown!

Contact Us!

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Do you have any questions or comments about our various programs & ministries?

Are you looking to donate gently used items and would like to learn more about how to schedule a pick-up?

Do you know of a man who is in need of rehabilitation or housing?

General Inquiries

Thrift Store

  • Tel: 301.739.1114 (Hagerstown)
  • Tel: 717.263.9345 (Chambersburg)

Donation Scheduling & Information

  • Tel: 301.739.1165

Men’s Ministry / Foundations Life Recovery / Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation

Soup Line / Food Pantry / Food Bank Program

Family Assistance Program (clothing, household items, etc.)

  • Tel: 301.739.1165

Wildside Youth Ministries / Camp Wild / Sunday Night Wild

Volunteer Info

 

Bowling Does Our Residents Good!

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When a guy enters our Hope Center Life Recovery program, he’s making a commitment to getting his life back on track and becoming the man God designed him to be.

But it’s not an easy path for many of our residents. They struggle with many things including their addictions, their past, family and work issues and, often times, the lack of love and acceptance.

Once they join the program they begin to build relationships with other guys in the program and our staff. This bond is a very important part of their rehabilitation. When the men aren’t working or attending life recovery classes, they enjoy playing sports and hanging out in the McKinley Rec Center at The Hope Center.

Our staff knows the importance of leisure activities so they plan various outings during the year. From softball tournaments, to fishing, canoeing, picnics and other activities, our staff tries to build relationships with our guys to keep them pushing through the program.

Recently, our staff took the guys bowling. From the laid back atmosphere to the friendly competition, our guys really enjoyed bowling together!

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Here are some pics from the guys’ day at the bowling alley. While going to the bowling alley may just seem like a regular activity to most people, to our guys this is a very important part of rebuilding themselves. These outings are beneficial to their recovery in so many ways.

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DSC_1259DSC_1274DSC_1276DSC_1300-001When you donate, whether financially or through in-kind gifts, you are helping to provide our residents with these types of activities. Thank you for your continued support of this ministry and our residents! You may never truly know how important your gift was, but God knows. You’re helping to change lives for eternity!

Happy Earth Day!

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“God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.” Genesis 1:31a

earth

Today is the day that America, and the rest of the world, focuses on this incredible planet that we live on.

While some of the focus is spent worshiping the creation, as Christians we can celebrate Earth Day by worshiping the Creator.

Celebrating Earth Day is a wonderful opportunity to remind our children, friends and community about how beautifully, wonderfully and intricately the earth was created.

With each flower that blooms, each bird that chirps, each river that flows, and each web that’s spun, God has His hand in every delicate detail of this fascinating planet.

And when we look at the complexity of every life form on this planet, and the delicate nature of this incredible ecosystem, we must recognize the fact that it was designed so brilliantly and done so with such care and love.

Because of the love that God put into His creation, we as humans, and especially followers of Christ, must do our best to preserve and protect His creation.

Even at The Hope Center, we are helping to protect God’s creation by recycling clothing, shoes, purses, metal, paper and cardboard. By recycling these materials, we are protecting the unnecessary demolition of forests while also saving valuable land from being turned into trash dumps.

Recycled bales of cardboard weigh, on average, 850-1100 pounds. We recycle approximately 36 bales every 2 months. Bales of clothing weigh, on average, 900-1200 pounds. We recycle approximately 39 bales every 3 months.

Clothing is sent to Third World nations to be handed out by missions groups and humanitarian organizations to help provide the basic of physical needs to people who just don’t have the ability to clothe themselves.

It’s important that we worship our creative God by protecting, as best we can, this wonderful creation that He gave us dominion over.

So take some time to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation today.  Look up at the sun, stop to smell the beautiful flowers in bloom, walk through the green grass and pause to thank the Creator for such an elaborate and brilliantly designed world for us to enjoy! And remember that each animal, insect, tree and flower and everything else that you see has been spoken into existance by the same God that knows you inside & out and loves you more than you can imagine!

A Little Spring Cleaning

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The birds are chirping. The flowers are blooming. And everyone’s allergies are out-of-control. This can only mean one thing: it’s spring!!!

Spring is such a wonderful time of year as we watch God bring the earth back to life. Seeing green grass again. Enjoying the warmth of the sun once more. Spring is always a welcomed season.

And with the arrival of spring comes the annual tradition: spring cleaning. As you start to go through your house, room by room, getting rid of unnecessary items, please keep us in mind!

If you are interested in donating various items to The Hope Center, here is some info you should know:

Furniture is accepted at the rear of the Thrift Store (central parking lot off of Church St) from 9AM – 4:30PM Monday – Saturday. Please do not leave items on the dock unattended, especially after business hours.

Furniture Items Accepted– beds (frames, headboards, footboards, mattresses* & box springs), couches, upholstered* chairs, dining tables and chairs, small tables (end tables & coffee tables), desks and chairs and dressers. We also accept rugs, bicycles, exercise equipment, wheelchairs and other handicap equipment.

*We cannot accept mattresses or upholstered furniture that is torn, stained or covered in pet hair.

Donation drop dock at our sorting building

Clothing & Miscellaneous– items accepted at the rear of the parking lot Monday – Saturday from approximately 8:30AM – 4:30PM (between 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM there is no assistance to unload vehicle. You may still drop off items but if you require assistance please come before or after.) Please do not leave items unattended on the dock after business hours.

Items NOT Accepted– wet clothing, computers, floor model televisions (we do take other TV’s as long as they work), floor model stereos, office telephones (multiple line phones) refrigerators and freezers, washers and dryers, dishwashers, stoves, sinks and toilets, large wooden or metal desks (office), upright pianos, large organs, cribs (due to government regulations for resale), waterbed mattresses or frames and used ceiling/electric fixtures.

We accept corrugated cardboard and newspapers at our Baling Facility Monday – Friday from 8:30AM – 11:30AM and 12:30 PM-1:30PM and on Saturday from 8:30AM – 11:30AM.

If you have items to donate that are not listed or you have questions about certain items, please call 301.739.1165 or email hagerstownrescue@verizon.net. We do have a truck that can pick-up your items. Each day our truck covers a specific area of town. If you’d like to schedule a pick-up, please call 301.739.1165 to get more details.

You can get a receipt for tax purposes by making a list of items donated. Please remember to put your name & address on the list!! Your list can be turned in at the Thrift Store or you can get a form to fill out in the Thrift Store. You will receive your tax-deductible receipt by mail in two to three weeks.

Thank you so much for your generous donations to The Hope Center! These items will help families and individuals in your community in many different ways.