There’s nothing scarier than showing up to a Halloween party without a costume. Have no fear; Goodwill is here to help!
Spook-tacular contest-winning costumes come to life at Goodwill every year. It’s where flannels are turned into a scarecrow’s everyday attire, black dresses transform into a witch’s wardrobe and ruffled blouses complete the look for any stylish pirate.
“Goodwill stores are a treasure trove of unique items,” said Cathrine Marston, director of retail store support. “Shoppers can find one-of-a-kind clothing pieces and accessories that spark creativity.”
What makes thrifting at Goodwill for Halloween truly magical is the unpredictability of each Goodwill location. No two stores hold the same ghastly gems. That means your witch will never don the same weathered dress as another, your scarecrow will never sport identical patched overalls, and your pirate will sail with a special sash that was once a granny’s favorite scarf.
“Each store’s inventory reflects the creativity and tastes of the local community. We had a customer looking to be the Roanoke Star one year. Helping her find the pieces to create that costume was a real treat for our team at that store,” said Marston.
Get Spooky Year-Round
You can start piecing together your costume at any time, since you never know when Halloween-related items will be donated to Goodwill. You might find Halloween décor at your local Goodwill in February or June! This is great news if you have a themed party, cosplay or theater production any time of the year.
Still, Goodwill prepares in advance for the Halloween season, when costumes are top of mind for most shoppers. This includes sourcing brand-new items to help accessorize costumes created at Goodwill.
“As we start thinking about Halloween, we begin to merchandise possible costume pieces together, and we also purchase accessory items to have available for our shoppers,” said Marston. “Many items that people are looking for such as makeup and wigs are not usually suitable to be resold in our store. We bring in these items, new, to fill the gap in donated inventory and ensure our customers have access to everything they need to create the perfect costume.”
No RIP Here: We Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
If you don’t plan to wear your costume again, you don’t have to throw it in the trash or let it haunt the back of your closet. You can donate it back to Goodwill for the next ghoul to enjoy.
“The costume and décor that brought you so much joy this year can bring the next person just as much happiness,” Marston said.
If we’re creepin’ it real, it’s also a scary good way to help the planet. Goodwill was founded on sustainability principles, and continues that effort at every location. Every item donated is given every chance possible to be reused or recycled.
“By encouraging the community to repurpose costumes and decorations, Goodwill supports a more sustainable consumption model, helping to reduce waste,” Marston said.
It’s a cycle of sustainability that’s no hocus-pocus: You have a chance at that costume contest, the planet benefits from less waste, and your purchases at Goodwill go back into your community to help provide jobs and career services for your neighbors.
