Try out one of the thrift stores below this weekend.
Today is National Thrift Store Day. In its honor, we'll remind you of some of the great bargains you can find around Arizona. Your purchases further the work of the Church.

(Catholic) Thrift stores to keep in mind next time you're in the area:

  • Lupe's Thrift — Supports Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery in west Phoenix, which the Sisters of St. Benedict run. The monastery offers weekly liturgy and prayer, spiritual direction, a lay oblate program and retreat space. (summer) Hours: Fri-Sat 8 a.m.-noon. (623) 868-6908. It’s located along Thomas Rd. west of 83rd Ave. Lots of great clothing and household items at bargain prices.
  • Maggie’s Thrift — Supports Maggie’s Place, whose network of homes provide loving support and housing for pregnant women who would otherwise be alone. Be sure to pick up/download a calendar of near daily deals (like $1 pants today and 50 percent off drinking glasses tomorrow) while you’re there or follow Maggie’s Thrift on Facebook and Twitter. Its social media pages are good sources for up-to-the-minute photos of newly arrived items and raffle items. The store creates job training for its moms, revenue for its network of pregnancy support homes and an outlet for distributing excess donations. Maggie’s Thrift is at 1516 E. McDowell Rd. in Phoenix. Hours: M-F 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun 10 .m.-4 p.m. (602) 252-1178.
  • Rummage sales — Don't forget to donate items for this at your favorite parish or school. Rummage sale season will be here before we know it. I scored at a recent garage sale benefiting a parish ministry. The youth minister was willing to let me walk with several children's books, two small self-contained shelving units for $5 or $10. That seemed too unfair so I gave him $20 and left. Advertise your sale on our Sunbeams page online and in print. Contact: sunbeams@catholicsun.org.
  • St. Vincent de Paul — Check the list of stores throughout Arizona. There are seven in the Valley and 10 more across the state. I no longer live near one, but when I did shop there, I found great bargains.
  • Sustain — The tagline says it’s “re-energized Children’s toys and clothing.” There's a lot of adult clothing. The one time I was in there, I walked out with two shirts and a business jacket for myself (plus two books) with only $1.75 less in my pocket. So to say you’ll find bargains is an understatement. Hours for physical store: 8:30-12:30 p.m. M-F. There’s also a separate online store with bargains too. Not a faith-based organization, but the money certainly goes toward a good cause. It supports local families with a parent overcoming drug/alcohol dependencies. A local Catholic school is helping the moms with some storage, organization and energy efficiency challenges.
  • 536 Thrift Store — Proceeds support Life Choices Women’s Clinic. Location: 9415 N. Central Ave. (north of Dunlap). More info. (602) 403-3356. Not strictly a Catholic organization, but it’s definitely Catholic-minded by upholding human dignity.

Other weekend events:

  • Catholic women — 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 18 at Diocesan Pastoral Center, 400 E. Monroe Street in Phoenix (near 7th Street/Van Buren). If you're Catholic and an adult woman, you're invited to the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women's next meeting. Details.
  • With all that money you save “thrifting,” feel free to treat yourself to an afternoon out this Sunday. St. Mary's High School Band and Tim Finnegan’s Irish Restaurant & Pub (south of MetroCenter) are hosting a fundraiser 2-5 p.m. Aug. 19. You'll find complimentary food, a variety of Irish music and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will help the band secure airline tickets so it can march in a St. Patrick's Day Parade in Ireland next year. Details.
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