Thrift Store
Thrift Store Finds + Community Impact
The UGM Thrift Store is a social enterprise operated by Union Gospel Mission.
Before selling any items that are donated, we check our Community Needs List and with our programs staff to ensure donations are first distributed free of charge to our community members.
Items that are not suitable for distribution will be sold at low cost at the UGM Thrift Store. The UGM Thrift store provides a low cost retail shopping experience in the Downtown Eastside. 100% of the proceeds of the UGM Thrift Store go back into supporting UGM’s life-changing programs and services.
The Thrift Store also has a Thrift Store Internship program that employs individuals who have completed UGM’s Recovery Programs as well as Repair to Wear, a program that equips participants with skills to repair damaged clothing so they can be revived and sold at the store.
All revenue goes back into UGM services.
- Men’s and Women’s Clothing
- Men’s and Women’s Shoes and Accessories
- Jewelry
- Linens (i.e. bedding, towels, curtains)
- Books (see exceptions below)
- CDs, DVDs, Records
- Small Household Items
- Antiques and Collectibles
- Knick-knacks and Seasonal Decorations
- Musical Instruments (see exceptions below)
- Bicycles and Sporting Goods (see exceptions below)
- Coffee tables, Side Tables and Dressers
- Chairs, Recliners and Love Seats
- Baby and Children’s Items
As a guideline, please only donate items that you personally would use or wear.
Not sure if we can accept a donation? Give us a call to check at 604.254.8721.
If you are donating on behalf of a business, please contact corporategiving@ugm.ca to coordinate your donation.
- Bed Frames and Mattresses
- Large Appliances (i.e. refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, barbeques)
- Large Furniture
- Office Furniture (i.e. desks, cubicles, office chairs)
- Textbooks and Encyclopedias
- Console TVs and Record Players
- Fitness Equipment (i.e. treadmills, benches, weights)
- Ski, Snowboard and Golf Equipment
- Bicycles in poor working condition
- Pianos and Organs
- Unsold items from Garage Sales or Church Sales
- Outdated technology (i.e. electronics 10 years or older including computers, cell phones, printers, fax machines, VCRs, televisions)
Not sure if we can accept a donation? Give us a call to check at 604.254.8721.
If you are donating on behalf of a business, please contact corporategiving@ugm.ca to coordinate your donation.
Have a Donation? Fill our our donation form below.
Drop offs and Pick ups will be contactless. Staff will also use proper PPE in accordance with the Thrift Store’s updated safe operating procedures.
Drop Off Locations: UGM's Donation Centre is located at 671 E. Hastings Street, inside the UGM Thrift Store. Donations accepted 9:00AM - 3:00PM.
Front Door of the Thrift Store: all donations will be placed by the donor in the black Rubbermaid bins at the entrance to the store, these donations will remain in the bin until the end of each day or until the bin is full.
Loading Bay: Larger items (household items, large boxes, small appliances, etc.) can be dropped off at the loading bay in the back alleyway. The donor will be required to unload their own vehicle and leave the items in the loading bay.
After Hours Donations: All donations can be placed in the large blue Rubbermaid bins under the stairs at 601 E. Hastings St. These donations will be collected and sorted by the Thrift Store staff on a daily basis.
Donation Pick Up:
All deliveries and pick-ups to personal addresses will be contactless. There are no exceptions. The driver or swamper will contact the customer/donor before making the delivery or pick-up to ensure there is an agreed upon location for the exchange.
How the Thrift Store team keeps you and our community safe
Space & Goods:
- Frequent disinfecting and sanitization, especially in high-touch areas.
Staff:
- Staff who are ill will stay at home.
We all have a part to play in continuing to keep community transition of COVID-19 to a minimum.
