Shop Local. Support Missions. Strengthen Fort Wayne.
The Thrift Trail is a local, community-driven collaboration between Fort Wayne’s nonprofit thrift stores—coming together to uplift one another and the neighbors we serve. When you shop or donate at these stores, you’re not just finding great deals, you’re investing in housing, job training, food, and hope to those in need. This event is about more than shopping — it’s about building a stronger, more connected community.
How We’re Making a Difference
Blue Jacket
Job Training + Staffing
Mission: To provide training and opportunities to anyone with a barrier who is striving to earn gainful employment. The organization, which opened its doors in 2005, envisions that anyone with a barrier to employment will be restored with hope and provided capacity to obtain and retain employment because of Blue Jacket’s vast network and resources of support including social enterprises like the Tall Rabbit Café, Blue Jacket Clothing Co, reNEW by Blue Jacket, Blue Jacket Cleaning, Blue Jacket Staffing, and Blue Jacket’s Fantasy of Lights.
The Franciscan Center
Food + Hygiene Insecurity
Mission: To serve the community in the example of Saint Francis in poverty, humility, and love; and to provide opportunities for our community to share their time, talent, and treasure.
MCC Thrift
Hunger + Economic Relief
Mission: We share God’s love and compassion by supporting local churches and meeting needs in our community. Through MCC, we also help provide hunger relief, support refugees, and offer economic and development aid around the world—all while working toward peace and justice.
The Lighthouse
Addiction Care + Food Insecurity
Mission: To serve individuals who struggle with life-altering issues by providing structure, education, support, and mentorship. We also strive to be a bridge in the healing process between these individuals and their families.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne
Affordable Housing + Advocacy
Mission: We seek to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is that everyone has a decent, affordable place to live.
The Rescue Mission
Home + Food + Hope
Mission: The Rescue Mission exists to provide, through the power of Jesus Christ, a home for the homeless, food for the hungry, and hope for their future.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Person-to-Person Assistance
Mission: To empower people, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or faith, to achieve stability and self-sufficiency by offering financial, material, educational, and spiritual support, and by collaborating with others to develop and deliver programs and services to those in need. We are part of an international organization and have operated in Fort Wayne since 1944. The goal of SVdP — Fort Wayne is to eliminate poverty by offering hope, as well as help, to all, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.