Giving Back to the Community
Hilton Head Island’s oldest thrift shop helps local charities succeed.
The Bargain Box, the island’s oldest thrift store, was started in 1965. The thrift store sells donated items at bargain prices. Over 86% of the proceeds from donations goes back to the community in the form of cash grants to other Beaufort County 501c(3) charities. The Bargain Box has been a major factor in their ability to provide needed services and programs. Last year, the amount awarded through grants was $450,000.00. To date, the Bargain Box has contributed $14.8 million back to the community.
VOLUNTEERS (and our awesome staff) – The Bargain Box maintains a paid staff of four to handle store management facility maintenance and customer assistance. The rest of the staff is made up of volunteers. The Bargain Box volunteers can volunteer for 3 hours a week or more. The environment along with the satisfaction of making a material contribution to the community keeps volunteers coming back for years. A volunteer working there regularly – in sales, sorting, pricing, etc. – means being part of a team. Each day has a different team, with its own camaraderie but all following guidelines established over the 50 years of the organization’s existence.
DONATIONS – The Bargain Box provides a way to recycle usable items that donors no longer need. It’s a convenient place to bring items they decide they can do without after cleaning out their closets and cupboards. Larger donations of furniture or appliances can be scheduled to be picked up by our truck. Our community is very giving and we thank them for donating!
CUSTOMERS – For our customers it is a wonderland of affordable treasures. Our non-profit thrift store caters to a broad range of customers and provides everything for home and family, including the unexpected and the unusual (from an Oriental rug to a mink coat to a golf cart – and more) All at everyday low prices.
Our customers are both residents and visitors. We have been told by many visitors they plan their arrival to the island by when the store is open. It is a tradition amongst many families to shop at the Bargain Box and load up their cars to take home their treasures. We have regular customers who are known by name by the volunteers. Some regulars will visit us every day we are open. The store is restocked daily, so it is always an unexpected surprise for our shoppers.
You never know what treasures you may find at the Bargain Box. Stop in and see us!
