With the culture of thrifting increasing in popularity, there are people who will blow their monthly allowance on gently-used clothes, antiques, jewelry and knick-knacks. 

According to a data report done by online company ThredUp, the number of secondhand retail shops have increased by 275% since 2020. 

The nonprofit American Cancer Society carries an assortment of secondhand items and unique treasures, from antiques and clothes to children’s toys. According to CNBC in the past few years the rising popularity of thrifting has increased sales for small businesses like the American Cancer Society’s “discovery shops,” promoting more funding for cancer research.

The discovery store serves as more than just a thrift store, it is supporting an honorable cause to fight cancer. What most thrifters don’t realize when looking for a new pair of baggy jeans, are the causes these businesses are supporting.

Not only is the American Cancer Society a great place for thrifters to shop, but it also offers supporters community service hours while supporting a good cause.

For volunteers like Palo Alto High School sophomore Kali Hendershot, the experience of working at the American Cancer Society, and being able to help cancer patients, is one of the best parts of her day. Every employee in some way is supporting the future of cancer research and cancer patients and families affected.

“There are so many stories there, not just in the items they sell, but from the people who shop there,” Hendershot said.

Hendershot added that the store both funds research into cancers that are currently not curable and hires past cancer patients who need jobs, and that she has had the opportunity to work with some of these patients.

“Most of the people who work there are people who have gone through chemotherapy and are cancer patients,” Hendershot said.

Senior Anna Hagan, another volunteer, said she appreciates the experience of working around the store.

“I mostly help organize and re-decorate the store because another volunteer is a professional interior designer so I help her out,” Hagan said. “But I’ve also worked the front desk sometimes and I’ve also priced some of the items that are for sale.”

However, Hagan said she notices some struggles with merchandising and complaints of high prices. 

“The big thing is a lot of people will try to bargain or also steal. The funds are going towards cancer research,” Hagan said. “And so you have to repeat that and tell them like, we can’t really bargain this down. We’re trying to raise money for something that’s very important.”

Being a thrift store, the prices at the discovery stores are already very discounted.

“A lot of the stuff there is designer, but it’s being sold for $15-$20,” Hendershot said. 

With the discovery shops, customers are also helping support cancer patients directly. 

“I know we hire a lot of people who are not volunteers, who actually get paid because they lost their job from having to pay for chemotherapy, so we help them financially,” Hendershot said. 

The American Cancer society funds research for the cure for cancer. According to the American Cancer Society website, the American Cancer Society was founded in 1913 by 10 doctors and five laypeople to raise public awareness about cancer, because at the time cancer likely meant death. In the 1960s, the American Cancer Society’s research contributed to the detection of the link between smoking and cancer. Later they helped advance the passage of the National Cancer Act in 1971. This gave the National Cancer Institute additional funding and power to expand, developing cancer education and prevention. 

Today, the American Cancer Society helps advance the lives of cancer patients by continuous research on cancer prevention and support when it comes to cancer treatment. 

SHOPPING SPREE — Customers browse around the discovery shop of Menlo Park. Kali Hendershot, an American Cancer Society volunteer remarks on the layout and design of the thrift shop. "I just really love the uniqueness of the store," Hendershot said. Photos: Cate Graney