For CommunityAid, resale industry growth means more opportunities to help

With prices hitting record highs, the idea of buying used goods has taken on a new appeal.

From parents seeking holiday bargains to teenagers looking for a deal on rare sneakers: most people are thrifting like never before, according to an article from CNBC.

82% of Americans, or 272 million people, buy or sell secondhand products, CNBC said, and those numbers are trending upward.

Recommerce grew 15% throughout 2021 — double the rate of the entire retail market — and that climb is projected to continue.

The resale industry is expected to grow by 80% over five years and reach a value of $289 billion, according to CNBC.

Thrifting becomes even more alluring during the holidays, when many families struggle to get the most out of every dollar.

Providing quality goods for affordable prices, during what is, for many, one of the most expensive times of the year — the importance of that task isn’t lost on CommunityAid.

The nonprofit thrift store opened its first store in Berks in September at 5370 Allentown Pike in Muhlenberg Township.

CommunityAid sells donated, gently used goods, and contributes a portion of every sale in grants to nonprofits, particularly those that specialize in food, housing and basic needs.

The store has donated more than $20 million and works with over 30 nonprofits in the Berks area, according to Matt Healy, CommunityAid director of marketing.

“We give away a few million dollars every year just in grants to other nonprofits,” Healy said. “By mid-December, (grant) announcements will be coming out…we’re excited to help the amazing organizations in our community do what they do best.”

A few of those partners include Mary’s Shelter, Bethany Christian Services, Midwest Food Bank, Champions for Children, New Hope Ministries, and Project SHARE.

More than 50% of CommunityAid’s beneficiaries are churches.

Healy noted that CommunityAid will be holding a holiday early bird sale on Wednesday, Nov. 22, where from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., all items will be 50% off at all stores.

That sale excludes $1 tag items.

“It’s one of our more popular days, we get a lot of really great items at a great price,” Healy said. “It’s the holiday season, you never know what’s going to be out on the floor.”

Healy said CommunityAid goes out of its way to ensure all of the items are high quality, and shoppers can find items during the holidays that are nearly new.

“We even have some bicycles on the floor, they’re just about brand new,” Healy said. “Even musical instruments, we’ve had trumpets and guitars that are really well taken care of, but the person who had it just couldn’t use it, so they brought it in to give it a second life.”

CommunityAid also offers days once per week, where groups like seniors, EMS, firefighters, police and military personnel, teachers, and students are eligible for a 50% discount.

The discount applies to everything in the store except for the $1 clearance items and items stocked less than a week ago.

Wednesday is the store’s “Family Day,” where everyone is eligible for the 50% discount.

Healy said he believes increased interest in sustainability is fueling the growth of the resale industry.

“People have really started turning on to recycling, having a green thumb,” Healy said. “As well as the price. Thrifted items are generally cheaper, and you can still get a fantastic item that might be brand new or only worn once.”

The popularity of thrifting can be seen amid the aisles of CommunityAid as the holidays close in, Healy said.

“We see quite a bit more traffic during the holidays,” Healy said.

That increase in traffic doesn’t stop CommunityAid workers from going above and beyond, especially throughout the winter months, Healy said.

“During the holiday season, everyone really knows that what they do here goes beyond their normal job…their job creates an impact on someone’s life, it could help save someone’s life, or make it better,” Healy said. “It can be a very difficult time of year for some folks, so we’re really focusing in…to be able to help a lot of people.”

Healy noted that CommunityAid is seeking donations of winter essentials, like shoes, boots, coats, sweaters, and jeans, as well as work attire, scrubs, and maternity clothes.