MT. AIRY, N.C. — A thrift store is encouraging more people to donate their gently-used furniture instead of dumping it.

• Mountain Valley Hospice Re-Sale Shoppes are asking for donations to help the community and the environment
• According to the EPA, well over 9 million tons of furniture and furnishings waste wound up in landfills in 2018
• Staff said donations help the community afford needed items and sales benefit hospice patients

Kelly Jennings manages the Mt. Airy location of the Mountain Valley Hospice Re-Sale Shoppe. She said donations play a powerful role in helping her community.

Every purchase made at the stores benefit hospice patients, and community members can purchase needed items for a fraction of the typical cost. She has a history in retail, but said she wanted to come to this store because its mission changes lives.

“The money goes to hospice. Somebody gets to purchase it and be happy. Somebody got to donate and feel like they contributed something from a death,” Jennings said.

The stores have donation guidelines for what they can accept, and Jennings said everything must be clean and in good shape. It’s difficult for her to see perfectly good furniture left on a curb, thrown away and ruined.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent data on furniture and furnishings waste, well over 9 million tons wound up in landfills in 2018.

“It’s heartbreaking, because there is somebody who would appreciate to have that,” Jennings said.

She said the store is “over-the-top blessed” with community support, but she hopes even more people will consider donating to further its mission.

More information about store locations and donation guidelines is available here.