Iowa Thrift Store Helps Shelter Animals with Every Sale

When shoppers browse the racks at Pawsitively Thrifty in Knoxville, Iowa, they're doing more than finding a bargain. Every purchase directly helps shelter animals at the Marion County Humane Society get food, medical care, and a second chance at finding a home.

The store opened in January 2025 at 202 East Washington Street, transforming a former funeral home into a bright spot for the community. It operates Tuesday through Saturday, stocked entirely with donations from local residents who wanted to help.

Marion County Humane Society President Leslie VanderLinden and her husband purchased the building to create a sustainable funding source for the shelter. Like many animal rescues across the country, their facility runs near capacity year-round, and rising costs have made traditional fundraisers harder to sustain.

VanderLinden says the thrift store model works because it gives everyone a way to contribute. "A lot of people just can't afford to write a big check and donate, so when they're able to get something in exchange for their money, I think it will help us a lot more," she explains.

The community response has exceeded expectations. Donations have poured in since opening day, filling the store with everything from clothing to household goods. Shoppers have shown up in force, turning their everyday purchases into acts of compassion.

The Ripple Effect

The impact goes beyond the animals at the shelter. Volunteers gain meaningful work helping their community, shoppers find affordable goods, and donors declutter while supporting a cause they care about. Every transaction creates a circle of goodwill that keeps growing.

Now the store needs more volunteers to keep operations running smoothly and maximize its impact. Anyone interested in helping can reach out to the humane society at marioncountyhumane@gmail.com to learn about available shifts.

Small towns thrive when neighbors support neighbors, and Knoxville residents are proving that shopping with purpose can change lives one purchase at a time.