You’re visiting your favorite street market or outdoor vendor fair and come across racks of clothing lined up outside a remodeled vintage bus. Inside shoes and other items are on display. It feels like a mini boutique. A custom sign says the bus belongs to The Salvation Army. Workers assist shoppers with purchases as they share the work of the adult rehabilitation centers (ARCs) and The Salvation Army’s mission. Welcome to the Thrift Express.
After debuting in 2022 at Salvation Army events, including commissioning weekends and community events to support corps ministries, the Thrift Express is expanding its reach. According to Lt. Colonel Lee Ann Thompson, who leads the Adult Rehabilitation Centers Command with her husband Lt. Colonel Greg Thompson, the bus made its first non-Salvation Army event debut in May at the Urban Farmgirl Main Street Market in Rockford, Ill. 
“Lt. Colonel Lee Ann mentioned in passing how it would be great to be there,” said Ron McCormick, operations and transportation manager for the ARC Command. “I saw how well attended it was, so I sent in an application.”
“It’s a competitive venue,” added Lt. Colonel Lee Ann. “Two hundred vendors come from all over the U.S. I’ve been going for a few years, and I just thought it would be great to get who we are and what we do out there. It’s great exposure.”
With a prime location right inside the entrance, the Thrift Express caught the attention of nearly everyone who came. During the event, more than $4,000 in merchandise was sold, and all of the profits were returned to the Chicago and Rockford ARCs which provided the items and worked the event.
According to the lieutenant colonel, operating the Thrift Express is like having a second store for the day. And because appearances are planned months in advance, store managers are able to set aside select merchandise tailored to the specific event. For commissioning, uniform-friendly items fill the bus. For an outdoor market, sandals, floppy hats and the like are on display.
But the Thrift Express is about so much more than making sales.
“First and foremost, we always want people to know that there is hope and help at The Salvation Army,” said Lt. Colonel Lee Ann. “We always want them to know they can support addiction recovery services by shopping at our stores. The Thrift Express helps us do that.”
An exciting new addition to the Thrift Express is coming this fall. The accessory trailer, a remodeled minibus, will be used for items like hats, belts and bags, leaving more room on the Thrift Express for clothing and shoes. Be on the lookout for the Thrift Express and its accessory trailer at an event near you.
The Thrift Express will be making a second appearance at the Urban Farmgirl Main Street Market on September 14. Come out and see us!
