Shopping for a Good Cause in Sonoma County

Shopping for a Good Cause

By Vesta Copestakes
There are two reasons we are concentrating on good causes this holiday season – one is simply because our world is being economically challenged, so need is more rampant than in the past. And another is because it’s the time of year when people tend to look beyond their own needs toward the needs of others. That’s a good thing any time of year, but we’ll take advantage of the current generosity of spirit right now.

Our list of readers’ favorite non-profits is a great opportunity to make a donation to a good cause and get a tax deduction in the process. For people who need to give less to the IRS and more to something they believe in, this is a good time.

The following is more a list than a shopping experience, but the bottom line is that you can shop, come out with things you need – even gifts for the holidays, and the money you spend goes to support a homeless shelter, food for the hungry, care for the sick – it goes on and on. Whether you know the good cause or even care which one it is, try shopping at a thrift store and come away with treasures for very little money. The only difference between shopping here and a retailer that has new goods is that these are used. It’s called recycling!!!

Love Your Neighbor Thrift
2150 Bell Dr. off Piner, Santa Rosa, 707-542-0446
This huge warehouse has many rooms, each divided into categories from clothing to china, lots of picture frames – small appliances, a library room and children’s rooms. They provide support services for individuals in great need and who are not taken care of by other organizations – the people who fall through the cracks as they say!

Sutter VNA Thrift Stores – Donation Center & Store
Volunteers sort and sell everything from clothing to furniture, antiques, jewelry, collectibles, etc.
OPEN: Mon – Sat 10am to 5:30 pm
1620 Piner Rd, Santa Rosa - 707-523-1775
510 Lewis St., Santa Rosa 707-528-9310
6350 Commerce Blvd., Rohnert Park 707-588-8015
748 Gravenstein Hwy N, Sebastopol 707-824-4712
Provides compassionate care to Hospice patients and their families. Has bereavement support groups, grief counseling and crisis intervention. Provides skilled nursing and therapy to frail elderly.

Assistance League
5 West Sixth St, Santa Rosa, 707-546-9484
Clothing to household items. This is a good place to find high quality work clothes!
All-volunteer foundation provides community projects to serve unmet needs in Sonoma County for children through adults.

Sacks Thrift Stores
116 Fourth Street, Railroad Square, Santa Rosa, 707-541-7227
128 Liberty Street, Petaluma – 707-765-2228
Mon – Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 9 – 2
“Upscale Retail” shop specializes in gently used household items, linens, jewelry, furniture, artwork – you name it. Check out their holiday window display. These volunteers make an art form out of donated treasures. Benefits Face to Face, Memorial Hospice & Petaluma Hospice

Pick of the Litter Thrift & Gift Shop – www.forgottenfelines.com
1701-A Piner Rd., Santa Rosa 707-570-2590
Monday- Saturday 10 -5 for donations & shopping
Recycled items help Sonoma County’s feral cat population through spay/neutering and veterinary care. Shop for gently used items in all categories they have a great book section – and you may even find a cat to fall in love with through their adoption program

Welfare League!
126 Fourth St, Railroad Square, Santa Rosa 707-542-7480
Mon – Sat 10 – 4 – Everything you need for home and life under one roof – except food!!
An all-volunteer womens’ organization specializing in serving the needs of families. This unique organization works with parents to provide items they need in a supportive environment from clothing to bike helmets and child safety seats. They work with Catholic Charities, Social Services, Childrens’ Shelter, United Against Sexual Assault and the Police Chaplaincy Program.

Redwood Gospel Mission - www.srmission.org
1821 Piner Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 707-528-7285
This vast warehouse has everything from clothes to furniture and toys. They even carry car seats and refrigerators! At one end of the building you purchase items to help the mission and at the other end they are giving away food and support.

Goodwill Industries – gire.org
3535 Industrial Dr., Santa Rosa 707-545-2492
680 Sebastopol Rd, Santa Rosa, 707-570-2392
10000 Lakeville St, Petaluma 707-778-7485
513 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg 707-431-8408
4 Padres Ctr. Parkway, Rohnert Park, 707-585-0300
792 S. Cloverdale Blvd., Cloverdale 707-894-5200
A broad range of items from clothing to furniture and everything in between. Their stores are especially good for men’s items – which is rare! Donations support job training and services for people with disabilities and other employment barriers.

Food for Thought Antiques & Treasures – www.fftfoodbank.org
2701 Gravenstein Hwy. South, Sebastopol, 707-823-3101
Open 11 to 5 daily
Mostly volunteer operated – FFT, along with 10 vendors, run this large shop filled with treasures of all kinds both old and used from rolls of fabrics and shelves of books to wrought iron fencing in the garden section. They specialize in estate liquidations so the items fall under a broad spectrum from antiques to just old stuff! FFT operates a food bank that serves people with HIV/AIDS .

The Legacy
781 Gravenstein Hwy So, Sebastopol 707-823-7520
This shop specializes in sewing, knitting and crochet supplies – for the most part! Now for the holidays they also have the Annex next door that is selling vintage holiday decorations! All proceeds support the Sebastopol senior Center. His is a treasure house for crafters!

If you know any more, please e-mail me at vesta@sonic.net and I’ll add them to this list!