The Bureau Drawer Thrift Shop

Lovedogs52

Interfaith Thrift Store Donors Beware For the past year, I've been going through the physically and emotionally difficult task of cleaning out my mother's house, spending countless hours separating out and carefully packing the contents. My mission has been to distribute as many of these items as possible so that other individuals can enjoy them. I've been donating to a number of various organizations, but upon the suggestion of a local merchant, I decided to donate the nicer items to Interfaith Social Services to sell at their boutique thrift store, Bureau Drawer. The gentleman who recommended Interfaith told me that they accept vintage items, recycle textiles and the proceeds go directly to their wonderful programs. Their website confirms the same (“We…sell…china, antiques, collectibles, vintage items and MUCH MORE!"). Upon this recommendation and after reviewing their website, my daughter and I decided that Bureau Drawer was the place for those special items. Over the past few months, I have donated four different times to Bureau Drawer. Recently, I donated one last time to Bureau Drawer. I made an appointment in advance as required, and when asked, gave my name and phone number and told them I had eight medium-sized boxes of donations. I dropped off my donation on the date and time scheduled. The next day, I went back to Bureau Drawer to speak with a staff member about vintage clothing. On the way back to my car, I saw what looked like a piece of broken china in the parking lot. I picked it up to toss it into the dumpster on the premises so someone wouldn’t run over it. To my horror, when I lifted the lid, I saw many of the items that I had donated the day before in the trash, mixed in with lots of discarded food from their pantry and clothing (I thought they recycled textiles?). I saw my grandmother's antique dishes strewn everywhere in pieces; knick-knacks and figurines; new coffee mugs, glass baking dishes, child’s ceramic dish set; vintage etched glass Pyrex teapot; crystal wine glasses; Irish Belleek creamer; etched glass grated cheese bowl with sterling silver lid; vintage vases and bowls and many, many more perfectly good and usable items, broken and scattered everywhere. Some things weren't even unwrapped from my packing paper. I could not believe what I was seeing. My best guess is that at least two-thirds of my total donation was in that dumpster - trashed only one day after I had dropped it off. The items weren't even given a chance to be sold. I left a phone message with Bureau Drawer but never received a call back. My daughter and I are devastated and so very saddened. We are appalled at Interfaith’s wastefulness. We entrusted Interfaith with these special possessions, followed their website guidelines, and are left feeling violated and misled. I cringe when I think of the items I donated to Interfaith in the past, which may very well have been trashed also. I realize that once donations are released to a thrift store, they own and have complete control of the items. I also know that some donated items must be discarded. A few of the items I donated were not perfect, and I understand that they may have needed to be discarded. For the most part, however, the items were in excellent condition and completely usable. If Interfaith couldn't handle the volume of my donation, why didn't they tell me in advance when I called to make the appointment and told them I had eight boxes to give? They also had my name and phone number, so a courtesy call would've been nice before tossing everything into the dumpster with such blatant disregard and disrespect. Certainly, there was a more creative solution. If informing others who consider donating to Bureau Drawer can give me some kind of closure, I will be very grateful, and the purpose of this review will be served. Needless to say, I will never support Interfaith Social Services again.

Carol Dominique

good selection comfortable environment small store well run by volinteer friendly people.

Silver Li-Situ

Dropped off a big box of clothing here a few weeks ago (scheduled ahead) after I moved to Quincy. Gail(?) was very nice and talkative! The Shop is well organized.

I Work 4 a Living

I enjoy donating clothing, HomeGoods, kitchen appliances, books, and anything that I think people would want to buy or be given. This is a great thrift shop to shop for clothing, China, shoes, boots, decorations, and some interesting items. This is run by Interfaith, which also hosts a food pantry, educational training, career clothing program to help people get jobs, and many other great programs. You do not want to miss this very organized Thrift Shop.