Oct. 20 marked the end of the first ETHS Thrift Shop of the year. The student-run store was located in the Hub, and was open during school hours. All clothing items in the Thrift Shop were one dollar, and all the money that was raised went to the student emergency fund, which helps students who are in financial crisis.
Besides the goal of fundraising, the Thrift Shop aims to change the thought process around buying secondhand clothing.
“[We are] making it cool to buy things that are secondhand and destigmatizing the need for low-cost clothing,” said Erin Claeys, Community Service Coordinator.
Claeys hopes to achieve that goal by having secondhand clothing become more accessible for students. She encourages donations to the thrift store, specifically items such as warm winter clothes.
Another goal of the Thrift Shop is to limit the negative effects of unsustainable clothing practices.
“It’s just a really great way to get new clothes without adding to all of the waste that fast fashion can lead to,” said Claeys.
Future Thrift Shops are planned for either February or March, with the possibility of one at the end of the school year.