Council Thrift to Open New Location in Valley

Residents can now donate clothes and other supplies to a thrift store that contributes all its proceeds to the National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles, a volunteer organization dedicated to solving the economic and social problems facing women and families.

The Council Thrift store, one of seven in Los Angeles, will have the grand opening of its Victory Boulevard location on Jan. 14. The store is already open for donations, said Renee Hilton, director of Council Thrift stores.

Since 1920, Council Thrift stores have been providing clothing, furniture, electronics and other supplies at low prices and using the proceeds to help the organization offer services such as counseling to battered women and tutoring to teenagers.

The new outlet is the largest Council Thrift store and warehouse and the first in the San Fernando Valley, Hilton said. Other locations include West Los Angeles, North Fairfax and South Fairfax.

As part of their community outreach efforts, the stores employ recent immigrants and train them in management skills. Hilton said she is trying to get a grant for an expanded training program.

The stores emphasize providing free clothing to needy people. On Dec. 6, the Council Thrift warehouse in Culver City distributed 5,000 articles of clothing, Hilton said.

“It seems that there are a lot of people this year who need clothing,” she said. “We’re happy to help, because we know how important it is to them.”

Anyone interested in donating items can drop them off at 14526 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys.