Thrift for LIFE is owned and operated by LIFE Recovery, and it opened Sept. 1, 2023 in the historic downtown area in Abbotsford. During an interview with The Cascade, executive director Coletta Holmes and store manager Maggie Klassen provided insight about the new store and how their residential recovery program is important to the community. This interview was edited for clarity and length.
When did your store open and how did it happen?
Around 2007 LIFE Recovery Association’s Board of Directors met for a retreat and strategic planning. In that meeting a member proposed a thrift store for fundraising, as the model was used successfully by other organizations. Soon after, Ben DeRegt, who started up dozens of thrift stores for another organization, approached our Board Chair to share his vision for us.
It didn’t take long for us to find a space, volunteers, and donors to make it happen, and our first store opened on South Fraser Way across from City Hall. Eventually that store moved to its current location.
Can you talk a little about LIFE Recovery and their residential recovery program? What mission or goal does LIFE Recovery have to service the community through Thrift for LIFE?
LIFE is an acronym for Living In Freedom Everyday. We exist to provide a safe, structured, supportive Christian community for women who desire a lifestyle free from drug and alcohol addictions. We have four homes with three stages designed to support long term recovery.
We believe in the dignity and worth of all people. Whether clean and sober or struggling to be, we all share the same basic need for belonging and safety. In addition to being affordable for those on a limited income, the store is also an open door for a listening ear and sometimes even a resource provider.
What can customers expect in terms of service, promotions, specialty sales, etc?
We have a 50 per cent off sale for a different colour tag each week and a storewide 25 per cent off sale once a month (usually the last full weekend of each month, Saturday only).
How is your store different from other thrift stores in terms of goals, outreach, and helping others in the community?
Some thrift stores are for-profit businesses. Ours, like Mennonite Central Committee, Bibles for Missions, and Salvation Army are fundraising initiatives so that registered charities who are also service providers can remain sustainable. At LIFE Recovery, 100 per cent of the store’s revenue goes to our operating costs — something that is rarely funded by grants. That allows us to serve our clients and community-at-large through advocacy and collaboration.
Does Thrift for LIFE and LIFE Recovery have any plans for the holidays and Christmas for the store and to help the community?
Our donors give to us with the expectation that we are providing programs for addiction recovery. Because of that and rules for registered charities, we don’t donate to other organizations. We do consider requests from organizations with the same mission and are sometimes able to provide discounts and supplies. An example would be blankets for Union Gospel Mission’s outreach van.
What can students and members of the community do to help to support this program?
Our store provides a way for people who want to do something to make a difference. Donating gently used items and shopping locally helps our program. Spreading the word about who we are, what we do, and the quality and affordability of our goods helps the community as well.
Rachel is working towards a BA with a concentration in English and Theatre. She has been employed at The Cascade since Fall 2021 as a Staff Writer and a Jr. News Editor. Currently, she is the sectional News Editor and enjoys meeting and interviewing people as well as taking long walks in nature. Rachel also likes to stay up to date on the latest trends and informs students through her fashion column entitled Campus Fashion.
