{"id":95211,"date":"2025-12-24T21:49:10","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T21:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/95211\/"},"modified":"2025-12-24T21:49:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T21:49:10","slug":"tis-the-season-for-donations-and-bargains","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/95211\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2019Tis the season for donations \u2013 and bargains"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Donated chairs make for a cozy nook. Donations are always welcome at the Cape\u2019s various non-profit thrifts where buyers will find bargains galore while supporting numerous community projects. PROVIDED<\/p>\n

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Kiwanian Richard Leon, center, and a crowd of volunteers and supporters cut the ribbon for the recent grand re-opening of the Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral Thrift Store at 652 Del Prado Blvd., N. PROVIDED<\/p>\n

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With the holidays here, many sort through what they have to make room for what\u2019s new.<\/p>\n

Donating to one of the many non-profit re-sale stores in the community makes this a win-win \u2014 and win. <\/p>\n

The donor gets to help others, the thrift generates funds for projects and the buyer, well, they get a great bargain.<\/p>\n

Richard Leon with Kiwanis Club of Cape Coral Thrift Store, said the service organization has two such stores in Cape Coral \u2014 one at 708 SE 47th Terrace and the other at 652 Del Prado Blvd. N.<\/p>\n

The Kiwanis Thrift Stores accept anything that is in good condition, except for used beds and medical supplies. Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur biggest seller is clothes,\u201d Leon said. \u201cWe have very affordable clothing options. Books are a big thing. We give free books to kids at events, and in our stores. A kid can come in and get a free book at any time. We have furniture.\u201d<\/p>\n

For those who may not have items to donate but want to help the cause, volunteer time is also appreciated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe offer a place for people to come and volunteer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The proceeds from the sales at the thrift stores go back into the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year we have awarded over a half a million dollars back to the community. We did $280,000 in scholarships for high school seniors. We also do some for the technical college \u2014 open to anybody going to those programs,\u201d Leon said.<\/p>\n

Funds from sales also go towards a grant process that opens in June and July. The awards are given to schools, and nonprofits that involve a cause to help and support children.<\/p>\n

The Kiwanis Thrift Stores also offers assistance to those who are in need and come and talk to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have given thousands away in product. Homeless people come in, we give a set of clothes for free. We have furnished whole apartments,\u201d Leon said. \u201cAnything we can do to give back to the community is our focus. In any way we can help, we do it. We are here for the community and children of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n

In January, every Monday morning a book reading will be held at the north Kiwanis Thrift Store for children 5 and younger.<\/p>\n

Hope Chest Resale Store Manager Fran Nanio, of the Cape Coral location, said the store moved from North Fort Myers on U.S. 41, between Pondella Road and Hancock Parkway, three years ago this month, because of Hurricane Ian.<\/p>\n

The store is next to Belk in the old Home Goods store.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a nice-size store. We get so many compliments on how clean and organized the store is and our displays,\u201d she said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t look like a thrift store. It looks like a home store.\u201d<\/p>\n

The store has an assortment of items ranging from furniture to clothing, vintage collectibles, houseware, home decor, dish sets, books, to Christmas decorations.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have everything and anything,\u201d Nanio said.<\/p>\n

Donations they do not accept are mattresses and box springs. Furniture, she said, has to be in good condition and salable without any rips and stains.<\/p>\n

Donations are accepted Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the back of the store. On Thursday, she said they offer pickup service free of charge for large furniture pieces. To schedule a pickup call (239) 652-1114.<\/p>\n

Besides the two-part time employees, the store is staffed with volunteers, most of whom have had experiences with Hospice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHospice has taken care of their loved ones. It\u2019s their way of giving back,\u201d Nanio said. \u201cWe appreciate all of the donations and volunteers so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

All of the proceeds from the store go back to Hospice patients and families. Some of the proceeds are used for free grief support to anyone in the community of all ages, a free grief camp for children to help navigate complex feelings, as well as special needs and wish funds for such things as a nice night out with family.<\/p>\n

The store hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is at 2354 Surfside Blvd.<\/p>\n

Other place to donate items this holiday season include:<\/p>\n

\u2022 St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store<\/p>\n

2023 Del Prado Blvd.<\/p>\n

svdpthriftcapecoral.org<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 Salvation Army Family Thrift Store<\/p>\n

4506 Del Prado Blvd S.<\/p>\n

(239) 540-0265<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 Goodwill<\/p>\n

South Cape: 3226 Del Prado Blvd. S.<\/p>\n

Pine Island Plaza: 1260 NE 8th\u00a0St.<\/p>\n

North Cape Coral: 2040 NE Pine Island Road<\/p>\n

goodwillswfl.org.<\/a><\/p>\n


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