Beyond Back-to-School

There are things you typically think about getting in preparation for your kids going back to school — clothes, shoes and school supplies, for sure. But there are often things that they’ll need above and beyond those everyday basics that Goodwill can help with, too. All those things often start up again with the new school year. Dances, extracurriculars and sports are all good things to keep in mind.

With such a wide variety of things to learn in class these days, it can be tough to cover all the bases ahead of time. The sooner you find what they need at Goodwill — the more prepared you’ll be and the more money you’ll save.

Do you have a budding young musician? Instruments can be a big investment and those kiddos may decide it is not right for them in the long run. Nothing is worse than continuing to pay off an instrument that’s been long forgotten and collecting dust in a closet.

Credit: @mustangsmelly

Nothing says high school like a school dance. Though it may not be front of mind right now, come homecoming or prom time, it will be. Take advantage of all the summer bridesmaids donating their dresses, and check out the formal section at your Goodwill. You might be surprised by what you find.

Credit: the_eye_thrift

Do you have an artist in the house? Lots of Goodwill stores have art supplies. No need to go to the big-box chain art stores when you can find the stuff someone else bought there and never used. I mean, if you’re an artist, wouldn’t vintage art supplies be a major bonus anyway? I thought so. I found this little gem to help you learn how to process film in your high school darkroom.

Credit: @keaton_forari

And last but definitely not least, there are sports. Not all sports are created equal. Some only require you to run and not get winded, while others require a lot of equipment. That equipment isn’t always cheap or easy to find. Just like your musicians, they may not stick with it, so why buy new? There are lots of sporty options abound at your local Goodwill if you know where to look.

Credit: @ThriftGolfer

No matter what your kids get themselves into this school year, Goodwill has your back and your community’s. By purchasing your back-to-school goods at Goodwill, your kids can curate their unique style. You’re also helping the world by diverting waste that would otherwise go to a landfill and giving your neighbors the building blocks to self-sufficiency through job training programs offered at Goodwill.