For two decades, Off Center Thrift & Gift hasn’t only helped families stay to their budget by offering gently-used clothes, accessories and housewares for low prices, but also made a large impact on local nonprofits.

Off Center Thrift & Gift announced it gave back $100,000 in 2025 to nonprofit organizations serving Stanislaus County and parts of Merced County, with special emphasis on the communities of Denair, Grayson, Hilmar, Hughson, Newman, Patterson, Stevinson, Turlock and Westley.

At its most recent CARE Committee meeting, Off Center Thrift & Gift donated $30,000 to local nonprofit organizations, bringing this year’s total giving to $100,000. These funds directly support organizations working every day to strengthen families, provide essential services, and uplift neighbors across the region.

“When volunteers lead and a community supports, a thrift store can become a force for good. We are particularly grateful this year for our customers and local families who have entrusted us with their donations. Every bag dropped off and every purchase made helps change lives right here at home,” said Board President Carol Raffo.

Off Center Thrift & Gift is an incarnation of an older institution — the Emanuel Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop. The original thrift shop was opened in 1964 by a group of women eager to volunteer their talents to raise money to support the local hospital. When the Emanuel Thrift Shop was closed by the hospital in 2005, some of the remaining volunteers, along with many of their friends and relatives, recognized the opportunity to reopen with a different name and in a different location. Although the mission of service remained the same, the focus of the benevolence changed from benefiting one hospital to benefiting many local and regional non-profit organizations. Off Center Thrift & Gift opened in December 2006 with an all-volunteer staff.

2025 recipients include:

• Prodigal Sons & Daughters

• Enrich & Employ

• Stanislaus Wildlife Center

• Verda’s House of the Children’s Crisis Center

• We Care

• Merced County Rescue Mission

• Merced County Food Bank

• Friends of the Newman Public Library

• CUPS Dance & Music of Westside Ministries

• Haven House

• William Hayashi DeOliveira Scholarship Fund (c/o The Turlock Rotary Club)

Off Center Thrift & Gift is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 410 E. Olive St., Turlock.

For more information, visit www.offcenterthrift.com