New Hope Shelter & Thrift Shop — Local services in Waynesboro

New hope is a mission i have always wanted to support until this year. On Tuesday July 1st 2025 I came to New Hope with our churches left over 1 day yard sale items. We didnt have a great yard sale due to fog, rain and heat. But we made the best of it. And still raised $300+ for the church. And hadn't even touched 1/6 of our inventory. Every year we have always help our left over items to donation to the mission. We'll this year the older lady, and her younger lady helper (sorry im bad with names). The older lady refused my donation items for the exception of a lamp, and a kids stroller.

Mind you what I had was about 8 boxes of mixed Kids, and adults (lady's and mens) clothing. 75% was mostly summer attire. There was a few spring fall and a few sweaters. Some still were brand new never worn, and with tags still on. And were talking (ladies) Cj banks, Alfred Dunner, Adidas. Men's was mostly under armor, Adidas, IZOD, Hanes, George, and Reebok. Kids clothing im not sure what we had, as none of it was from my family. But they all were good condition.

Some other items I had was a brand new Pack and Play set/convertible Crib. Which was refused.

I had a entire black trash bag of bedding materials. Brand new sheets still in retail packaging, some likely used sheets, blankets, knit blankets, etc.

Other items that were bagged and ready for sale was Kids toys, and action figures. I know there was iron man stuff. There was a electronic toy that was interactive that taught states and capitals.

The lady essentially made me unload 1/4 the van (van was completely full) only to tell me that the few items she picked out and put in the wire bin cart was the only items she would take out of what I showed her.

I responded and told her that all the items has got to go. Im just a delivery person. And that our church wants to support the mission of New Hope. We also donate to the mission by sending a check in. She responded and said she was told not to take in any toys, no winter clothes. The first box she looked at had a sweater on top. And she never looked at the rest. She wanted me to short the 8 large boxes and seperate the winter from summer. However that would have taken hours to do, to go peice by peice. It had already taken me about 2 hours to stack them in boxes from our totes that we used to keep them waterproof.

There was probably close to 200pcs of clothing. Maybe more.

Essentially the lady told me that they only sell merchandise there, and that she doesnt take items for the shelter. Even though in the past that is what has been done.

Im not sure if this was a OFF day and this older lady is not the ususally person that takes in donations. Ususally I deal with a gentleman alittle on the heavy set.

Im writing this on Friday July 4th. And in still in disbelief that the shelter and new hope mission and thift store wouldn't take the donations. Their response was people weren't buying

I Informed both ladies that if they didn't take the items, that they would be going to goodwill. As I do not have time to sort thru them + I had a busy schedule for the day. I was there from 10:36am till 10:49am for them to take only a few individual items. I was at Goodwill from 10:57 to 11:04am and had the entire van unloaded. They didnt refuse anything.

I had passed by the Goodwill three times between Saturday and Tuesday. So at the end of the day, if you value your Gas, time and storage space,dont hold your Saturday yard sale items for 3 days to try to donate to New Hope on Tuesday.

The only way id consider bring items back to New Hope is if someone tells me they will 100% accept our items; and that person is there to receive them. or they can come and pick them up at 3pm at the conclusion of the church yard sale.

Up to this point I have had a good expereince in the past 7 years expecially with staff. But this past experience was definitely a 1 star. And I feel management needs to know. Otherwise things are going to continue...

0 STARRRRRRSSS They told my wife she couldn't come help the people there because she called them out FOR THROWING AWAY DONATIONS AND TELLING SOMEONE TO MIND THEY OWN BUSINESS. SHE WAS TAKING PEOPLE TO THE NAIL SALON GIVING THEM THE SHOES OFF HER FEET... JUMPING IN A DUMPSTER TO PROVE THAT THEY THREW AWAY $1000'S WORTH OF CLOTHES INSTEAD OF GIVING IT TO THE SHELTER ABOVE THEM WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN... THE PERSON THAT KICKED HER OUT WAS WEARING HER PANTS AS SHE TOLD HER SHE COULDNT COME BACK. MY WIFE WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE THAT LIVES THERE THAT THE GAMING SYSTEM THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE SHELTER FOR THE CHILDREN TO PLAY ON WAS SOLD... NOBODYS SEEN THE LEGOS THAT SHE GAVE TO THE CHILDREN... SHE WATCHED AS THEY DESTROYED CHAIRS INSTEAD OF FIXING THEM.. MY WIFE EVEM OFFERED TO DO A CHRISTIAN MURAL FOR FREE BUT THEY HAD TO STOP THROWING THE DONATIONS AWAY THEY REFUSED AND TOLD HER SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED BACK IN THE BUILDING AT ALL AND SHE CAN GO SEE THE PEOPLE AT WORK WHICH COULD GET THEM FIRED DO NOT DONATE TO THIS PLACE THE PEOPLE THAT WORK THERE KEEP IT FOR THEMSELVES EAT THE FOOD AND THEN SELL THE REST AND MAKE THEM PAY RENT TO STAY THERE MIND YOU... THEN TO GET CLOTHES FROM THE SHELTER THEY HAVE TO GO DOWN STAIRS AND SHOP. MADE MY WIFE CRY... MY WIFE WILL SHARE...

Mandi and Erika and all the staff are truly wonderful.They took over the shelter in August under new management.They each bring something unique to the shelter.They took me in when I was living out of my car and it was freezing outside.I was afraid to go in a shelter because I have a lot of trust issues but overtime I opened up more and more like beautiful souls like Mandi and Erika.they helped me anyway they possibly could and they help everyone who walks in the door.I even was hospitalized because of mental health problems and I thought they’ would abandon me because I was in a hospital but they took me back with open arms.If you need help they go above and beyond .It doesn’t matter who you are if they can they will help u and if they can’t there help you with resources.Its hard being in a shelter but they make it so much easier.they are the best shelter around that i know of.They are all amazing people and i love them...