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Business & Tech

Frugal Family: Saving Money for a Good Cause

Area thrift stores offer everyday discounts for any basic need. They also support wonderful missions.

The Kids Clothesline sale has been the talk of the town for weeks. It’s a sale that is held twice each year, beckoning parents who are eager to make a few bucks on their children’s used clothing, shoes, toys and books. Shoppers anticipate huge savings on items, which would usually cost three to four times as much at retail establishments.

However, this sale is not the be-all, end-all savings opportunity in our area. Some may not realize it, but local second-hand thrift stores offer many of these items at comparable prices every single day.

Here is a list of thrift stores at which frugal families are sure to save a buck, whether it’s on children’s clothing, shoes, toys, and books, or household wares, furniture, electronics and music for the adults in the home.

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Even better is that shopping at many of these stores benefits specific causes.

Goodwill stores supply jobs to people with special needs. Profits fund job training, employment placement services and other community programs.

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Goodwill Industries International, Inc.:

  • Tilghman Square Shopping Center, 4634 Broadway, Allentown
  • 7720 Main Street, Suites 1 & 2, Fogelsville
  • 3926 Linden Street (Rt. 191), Bethlehem
  • Country Square Shopping Center, 240 South West End Blvd. (Rt. 309), Quakertown (1/2 price Wednesdays!)

Via of the Lehigh Valley is a local chain of thrift stores supporting children and adults with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy and Down syndrome. Serving the community since 1954, Via’s staff help individuals and families from birth through retirement, focusing on Children’s Services, Community Connections and Employment.

Via of the Lehigh Valley Thrift Stores:

  • Stefko Blvd. Shopping Center, 1862 Stefko Blvd., Bethlehem
  • 859 Nazareth Pike, Nazareth
  • 1583 Lehigh Street, Allentown
  • 1401 Broadway, Fountain Hill
  • 2285 Schoenersville Road, Bethlehem

The Salvation Army supports programs that help with disaster relief, missing persons, rehabilitation programs and fighting human trafficking, among other missions.

Salvation Army:

  • 144 North Eighth Street, Allentown
  • 521 Pembroke Road, Bethlehem

In the Saucon Valley Area, be sure to check out these thrift stores for family-friendly savings, all year-round:

If you’ve never ventured to one of these money-saving establishments, it’s time you do. You might be surprised by the treasures you find!

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