For this week’s Flyer I interviewed MIFA‘s new thrift store director, Amy Hoyt. While the article does mention her extensive work to overhaul the store, I haven’t given her enough props for the best thing she adds to MIFA – personal shopping! When I stopped by to take her picture, not only was she wearing a great outfit she found entirely in the store, she had pulled a few things for me to try on.
Here’s Amy in her office – the hanging pictures are all from the store. We found the kitten painting (top left) when I got there, but please direct your attention to the light-up portait of the Kennedys near Amy’s left elbow. It was very difficult for me not to steal it from her.
Here’s a close-up of Amy’s shoes. They are pink suede Crocs, which I found very hard to believe since they’re not plastic and full of holes. But, she says, they’re just as comfortable. More props to Amy.
I ended up buying a big bagful of clothes – pants, a denim jacket, a few belts, a shirt, a purse, and a huge framed photograph – all for $20. Then Amy pulled out the big guns: the MIFA store coupons.
She gave me one for my purchases (making all that $15) and a big stack to hand out. I’ve been leaving a trail of them at Memphis coffee shop counters, so be on the lookout.
And don’t forget the best part about MIFA – the money you spend in the store goes directly to benefit Memphis through MIFA’s programs.
From their website:
Proceeds from your purchases benefit MIFA programs. A purchase of:
$1 helps provide a well-balanced meal for a homebound senior;
$5 helps provide transportation for a senior to pharmacies and doctors’ appointments;
$7.50 helps provide a companion to help a senior with tasks and activities;
$10 helps restore utilities for a family in crisis;
$15 helps volunteers build a ramp for a disabled senior;
$20 helps provide an at-risk teen with job training, mentoring, and higher education; and
$25 helps shelter, counsel, and train a homeless family so they can live productively.
After the jump: the three outfits Amy pulled for me with a rundown of their prices. Not one exceeds $11! That is exactly what I’m talking about.
