Catholic Charities Maine

Background

Catholic Charities Maine is a non-profit organization established in 1966 to help Mainers in need. Concerned about poverty and food insecurity in Maine, Catholic Charities Maine of Aroostook County (CCM) runs programs and provides services that connect Mainers to food and consumer goods that would otherwise be out of reach. CCM’s thrift stores and reuse programs provide funding that is used to serve the organization’s mission.

Getting Started

CCM’s thrift stores in Aroostook County arose out of an earlier Building Materials Bank. As a local couple shopped for salvaged building materials, a woman mentioned that she had a box of leftovers from a recent garage sale, and wondered if the organization might take those items to sell. The items sold rapidly, and as word spread that CCM accepted used goods, items accumulated even more quickly. Even after the Building Materials Bank ceased its operations, CCM continued to accept donations of used goods.

Outcome

CCM operates three thrift stores in Aroostook County, which fund its hunger alleviation services. In addition to raising funds, the thrift stores provide access to low-cost goods for those who might not otherwise be able to afford them. The sale of bulk textiles also raises funds for CCM. In 2016, CCM sold 398,000 pounds of bulk clothing and shoes in all conditions to international bulk purchasers.

Image of stacked baled clothing
Image of baling machine
Image of loose donated shoes in box

Challenges & Tradeoffs

One of the biggest challenges for CCM associated with reuse is space. The organization has no shortage of donations, and sometimes those donations can outpace sales. CCM created a bulk reuse store to solve this issue. Open two days per month, the bulk store offers goods priced by the bag or the cartload as a way to move goods quickly, freeing up much-needed space in stores and warehouses and offering deeper discounts to visitors. Another recent challenge related to reuse involves the downturn in the global textile market. CCM sells textiles to buyers, who connect the goods with markets overseas. Changes in the market led to lower prices and fewer buyers, making it difficult for CCM to make reliable funding plans based on this strategy.

Recommendations for Action

  • Find a space: CCM staff note that getting enough goods isn’t a problem – it’s finding storage for them that gets difficult once people find out they can bring you used goods. Having enough space is essential.
  • Partner up: Being a part of the larger Catholic Charities Maine organization has been helpful for CCM of Aroostook County. Reuse is a revenue source for this organization because it has the infrastructure and administrative support of a larger organization.