Needs From: United Way of Mahaska County

Cashier volunteers operate the cash register and handle cash and debit sales for customers. This includes completing sales transactions, bagging purchased items and thanking customers for shopping with us! Cashier volunteers also show customers items in our secure display case upon request. When not busy, cashier volunteers tidy and clean the area around the cashier counters.

Customer service volunteers provide friendly and courteous service to customers, which involve greeting them as they arrive and offering assistance to find items they seek in the store. They bring newly priced inventory out for display and keep displays organized and tidy. They clear change rooms after use and return un-purchased clothing items to display. These volunteers also keep the store clean, tidy and organized. All customer service volunteers who work the last shift of the day are responsible for a quick tidy of the store before leaving for the night.

Cleaning crew - for Saturday to clean floors and bathrooms in the retail and Warehouse areas so we have a fresh start for the new week on Monday. All monies must be used this calendar year in accordance to the grant application and agency agreement.

Not all donated items (home decor, housewares, etc.) are suitable for sale. Donation sorters go through newly donated items to identify items suitable for re-sale, for recycling and for disposal. They make an initial assessment of all items and set aside items that they are not sure of. Pricers are asked by the Store Manager to assist with the pricing of inventory. These volunteers are selected based on their experience in the store or due to past experience gained in other thrift or second-hand stores. In short, they have special knowledge of the resale value of the goods.

Sorting volunteers sort through donated clothing items (including purses, shoes, linen, etc.) They go through clothing items and identify which are suitable for re-sale, for recycling, or for disposal.  

Taggers - They check through clothing to ensure that nothing is left in the pockets, zippers work properly, all the buttons are intact, no stains or tears, etc. They hang these clothes on the racks and wait for one of the Store Managers to approve them for sale. These clothes are then tagged with a color (which rotates monthly), priced, and put out onto the sales floor.

Our first and very important volunteer. This volunteer greets the donator at the donation door after they have buzzed us letting us know they are waiting outside to share their donations. We will assist with loading donations in carts if you have several items. This volunteer ensures that donations received are ones that we are able to receive. We receive donations 10-5 Monday - Friday and 10-2 on Saturday. Please refer to "Sometimes we have to say no" posting of what we are unable to receive. Upon request, we will provide a tax receipt signed by the volunteer to use for tax purposes.