by Jessica Ciszewski, YourPace Student Contributor

With food prices climbing and heating bills acting like they have something to prove, shopping for yourself — or for gifts — can feel like a luxury. I donate regularly to Threads of Hope, and each time I drop things off, I take a few minutes to walk the aisles for a quiet thrift-store hunt.

One week, a pair of Clarks black flats caught my eye for $5. They still had their original stickers. A quick search at home confirmed they usually sell for around $100. That finding raised a question:

How far could $100 really stretch at a thrift store?

Because Threads of Hope’s proceeds support local food banks — where every 12 to 15 cents can buy about a pound of food at bulk prices — the experiment felt worthwhile on more than one level.

Trip One: Caribou’s Thrift Outlet

On a chilly Wednesday afternoon, with one hour before school pickup and a $100 bill in my pocket, I headed to the Threads of Hope Thrift Outlet in Caribou.

Large watermelon bins filled with clothing and toys sat just inside the door. Within seconds, a Bluey neck pillow priced at $1, a stuffed dinosaur, and a nearly new Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Puppy landed in my cart.

“People appreciate the prices,” said Sandra Boxwell, a cashier at the Caribou store. After a few minutes of browsing, I could see why.

Nearby, brand-new winter coats hung neatly on a rack, and I found one in my size. I added puzzles, games, and a DVD of “Fly Away Home,” a childhood favorite. A Vera Bradley purse and a small leather bag appeared next, followed by a Frozen backpack and a tiny bike helmet from the overflowing children’s room.

The décor section offered two wall signs that matched my home, a decorative cross, and — unexpectedly — a Power Air Fryer XL that looked barely used. A shoe rack between rooms held a spotless pair of white flats in my size, which quickly joined the haul.

My mental total hovered around $38, so I grabbed a Pioneer Woman water jug and a Razor RipStik before heading to the register.

“A full cart is $35,” Boxwell said. “The RipStik is $5, so that makes $40.”

She was exactly right. Even itemized, the total didn’t reach $50. To hit $100, I would have needed a piece of furniture or the $50 bicycle outside, listed online for about $250. But school pickup was waiting, so I left the bike behind.

I drove home thrilled with the deals, but the challenge still stood.

Trip Two: Presque Isle’s Main Store

A few days later, I tried again at Threads of Hope’s central location in Presque Isle. If Caribou is the discount outlet, Presque Isle is the curated version — still affordable, but stocked with more brand-name items.

This store was the right place to test the $100 limit.

My cart filled quickly with Pampered Chef microwave cookers, a stack of clothing, a winter hat, two pairs of name-brand shoes (Sperry and Dansko), a purse, two DVDs, a heated body wrap, a bottle of lotion, two games, a Harry Potter puzzle, a set of four brand-new plates, a cashmere scarf and a small wooden sign.

“This is a place where people can get what they need at an excellent price,” said Sharon Sharp, a cashier at the Presque Isle store, as she rang up my items. “We’re glad to be able to offer that.”

At last, I hit the $100 goal.

Later, I looked up the retail prices. My Presque Isle trip saved me more than $400. My under-$50 total in Caribou? More than $800 in retail value.

Not bad for two quick visits squeezed into a mom-of-seven schedule.

The Takeaway

One hundred dollars at Threads of Hope goes farther than many shoppers might expect, especially for anyone willing to dig through bins and maneuver a squeaky cart.

But the impact doesn’t end with bargains. Proceeds support food banks and community programs across Aroostook County, where a single dollar can translate into several pounds of food for families in need.

In other words, thrift shopping here isn’t just about saving money.

It’s about strengthening the community — one cart at a time.