Renovations are complete - inside and out!
"Second ACTS"
If you have ever seen a play, you will recognize that the first act often ends on a cliffhanger, and the issues facing the characters are not resolved until the second act.
This represents a fundamental element of ACTS philosophy. People come to us in crisis, feeling ashamed or defeated, maybe even thinking their lives are over. By fostering hope, providing relief, and supporting self-sufficiency, we demonstrate that wherever they are today is not the end - only the end of the "First Act' of their lives. Our mission is to assist our neighbors as they begin their "Second Acts." Likewise, items donated to the thrift store are not worthless; they are also simply beginning their "Second Acts," ready to be enjoyed and appreciated in new homes.
The Second ACTS Community Nonprofit Thrift Store offers the perfect opportunity for you to help our neighbors. We take your generous donations and sell them at low cost to the community and provide vouchers for our shelter and safe house residents to shop for free.
Did you know:
Most thrift stores aren't nonprofit!
Others offer some support to local non-profit organizations, but the ACTS Community Nonprofit Thrift Store truly makes a difference in the lives of our neighbors. Every donation and every purchase goes to support the programs that ACTS offers in Prince William County to support the poor, homeless, and victims of personal violence.
Our Opening Hours
Please note that effective July 31, 2023, the opening and closing hours of our Donation Center and Second Chance Thrift Store will be changed as follows:
Mon, Tues. & Wed.
Donation and Second Chance Thrift Store will be open from 9:30am- 5:30pm
Thurs., Fri. & Sat.
Second Chance Thrift Store will be open 12pm-8pm
We sincerely apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, and we greatly appreciate your kind cooperation and understanding in this matter.
Please note: We are now accepting donations art our new Thrift Store Donation Center one block south of the store on Main Street (17690 Main St, Dumfries, VA 22026).
Please DO NOT leave items outside of drop off hours and check your items against our current acceptance policy.
Donate to Second ACTS
All donations to ACTS directly benefit your local community. Everything you donate will create new opportunities for local people looking to find a job, get their lives back on track or support their families. Donations are 100% tax-deductible and receipts are available upon request.
We accept items in salable condition. Please see our guidelines to help you sort, package, and donate your items.
The drop off location for all donations is our new Thrift Store Donation Center located one block south of the store on 17690 Main St. in Dumfries. We accept only bags and or boxes of clothing & miscellaneous items during donation times. Furniture is to be off loaded at the front in our loading and unloading area. All furniture must be inspected by our staff before being removed from personal vehicles. Please do not leave donations outside after store hours.
What to Donate
- Most furniture in very good condition, no tears, heavy staining, pet hair.
- Home decor items/household goods - artwork, decorative items, dishes/glasses, pots/pans, most small appliances/electronics.
- Toys/games, sporting goods, crafting items, luggage.
- Newer computer components that are in working condition. TV"s that are flat screen and 5 years old or less and in working condition.
- Clothing and accessories, such as shoes, purses, belts and jewelry
- Household linens, such as bedding, curtains and towels.
- Books and media, such as CD's, DVD's and video games.
We cannot accept the following items -
- Mattresses/box springs, bed frames, headboards, sleeper sofas, cribs.
- Larger appliances, such as washers/dryers, refrigerators, deep freezers, stoves, over the range microwave ovens.
- Metal desks, large wall units for older TV's.
- Chemicals, opened paints, or expired products.
- VCR's, VHS tapes, music cassettes.
- TV's - box style, tube, floor, projection. Flat screen TV's less than 5 years old, in excellent working condition, are OK.
How to Donate
Donating to ACTS is easy! Just follow these simple steps.
Step 1 - Gather Your Stuff
Walk around your home and collect things you and your family no longer need — clothes that have not worn for a long time or do not fit, un-used presents or gifts that have just been taking up space, household items you don’t need, furniture you want to remove to make space and anything you feel ACTS might be able to sell to help others. Collect the smaller items in one place and keep track of the bigger items, especially furniture.Step 2 - Sort Your Items
It is important to check and sort your items to be sure they can be best used by the store. Clothing and Shoes should be clean, wearable and in decent condition. Ideally they will be lightly used with no rips or buttons missing. Toys must be complete, clean and able to be played with by children. Household goods should be complete and in good working order. Electrical items and appliances should be functional and safe. Furniture also needs to be complete, and have no rips, stains or pet hair. Think before you donate - would you pass these items on to family or freinds, or would you throw them out first. We don't believe that something is better than nothing. We want our customers to feel good about what they purchase from us.Step 3 - Package Your Items
Sorted items can be mixed, provided they will not get damaged. Smaller items and clothes should be in a box or a bag. Please consider individually wrapping items that are considered high value or fragile. Wherever possible, use any original packing because this helps preserve the items and increases their value. Take care that all hangers are removed and that items are from a clean, dry location.Step 4 - Deliver Them
Ready to drop off your items? Just check hours and bring your donations to our new Thrift Store Donation Center 17690 Main St, Dumfries. We will gratefully receive them and give you a receipt.Volunteer for Second ACTS
The Second ACTS Community Nonprofit Thrift Store is always looking for Volunteers to help run and maintain the store's operation. IIf you are interested in volunteering please visit our new volunteer portal and complete the application form.
Donation Sorter
The responsibility of a donation sorter works in our warehouse to open our bags of donations, sort through our clothing items, and prepare them for our staff to price and hang. If items are in unsaleable condition they are put in a
separate area to be discarded. Rather than throw these items away, they are sold in bulk to organizations who distribute them in Africa. Also, if shoes or other items are found in the bags they are put into bins to be sent to our Thrift Store location for pricing. This is the ideal job for individuals who enjoy clothes and can make a good story to go with what you find. If you see cute children's clothes in the store and say out loud, "Isn't that adorable?" then this is the job for you. Why not sign up a group of friends? We have a lot of fun!
Retail Assistant
The thrift store retail assistant processes, sorts and stocks donations to the thrift store and performs sale floor duties as assigned.
They must possess excellent customer service skills and be able to undertake the physical requirements involved with the Thrift Store setting. Good oral commutation skills and language skills are an advantage. Duties also include maintaining the safety and cleanliness of the store. If you like meeting people, showing off what you have to share, and take pride in what you do, this could be the spot for you.
You will meet some wonderful people. Some may come in, grab what they want, and go. But that isn't the norm. Most of our customers are part of the ACTS family and come to the store to meet, chat, and look for that latest piece of something they can't live without!
