Thomas Merton Center

04/18/2026

08/17/2025

It's and Thrifty will be OPEN! Come see us for $10 Fill-A-Bag TODAY from 11-3pm! 5123 Penn Ave in Garfield

02/07/2025

Thrifty is having a 🚧 🚧 EVERYTHING IN THE STORE IS 50% FROM TODAY UNTIL THE DIGGING STOPS!

East End Community Thrift is a former project of the Thomas Merton Center. Although TMC has seen its sunset, Thrifty is still alive and thriving in their pursuit of creating safe spaces for all in the community to access clothing and home items at the lowest cost Thrift store in the city!

In fact, we've received so many donations over the winter months, we're looking for more volunteers! Thrifty is a volunteer-based Community Thrift Store whose volunteers do everything from sort clothes , mantain the shop floor, organize the donations, to building relationships with customers in the community. Thrifty isn't just a store, it's a community space that takes care of everyone - no matter what! No one leaves empty handed at Thrifty

Contact [email protected] to volunteer with us during store hours:
Tues-Fri from 10am-3pm & Saturdays 12-3pm

Contact [email protected] to volunteer EVENINGS Wednesday and Friday 6pm-8pm

09/05/2024

Join us TOMORROW at Thrifty as we honor the legacy of the Thomas Merton Centers 52 years of service to the community, celebrate the Thrifty community, and fundraise to secure the future and work of East End Community Thrift Store!

First Friday Fill-A-Bag: $5-$10 suggested donation | ALL DAY 10am-9pm

Craft Night: Come make bracelets and art together from 4pm-8pm in the basement!

Sip 'n Shop: Choose a clean Thrifty glass and try a batch mocktail! | 6pm-9pm

Tunes by DJ Deesus () from 6pm-9pm!

08/16/2024

With Gratitude & Hope: A message from the Thomas Merton Center, as we sunset operations and look to the future.

Our hearts are heavy today, as we must announce that the sun is setting on the Thomas Merton Center, due to budget constraints, after 52 years of grassroots community and political organizing in Pittsburgh.

As the operations of the Thomas Merton Center wind down, we take pride in all of the activism and organizing we have done with our neighbors through the years, and we maintain hope for the future. What gives us hope, most of all, is the place that East End Community Thrift [or Thrifty] holds in the community as the longest running mutual aid project of the Thomas Merton Center.

You all helped us raise over $7,000 to simply fix the floors at Thrifty, this Spring, and have continued to support our efforts to build capacity at the store by volunteering your time and shopping on First Fridays. You have helped us give over $7,000 in free merchandise to 270 individuals and families in just six months, which is close to the $10,000 we gave over the course of 2023, alone. Your love for Thrifty and the impact we have made on countless lives over 30 years serving the community with low-cost gently used homegoods, has solidified our hope for the future, and sparked even more mutual aid organizing in a time when it is most needed. We anticipate we will serve nearly 1,000 individuals and families by the end of the year, and give nearly $20,000 in free merchandise through our voucher program.

This is why we ask that you help us by making a donation to assist us in transitioning activities to East End Community Thrift, ensuring that the store remains a beacon for support and hope in our community. Our goal is to raise $20k in the next two months, which will provide the necessary financial support to make our goal a reality.

Will you help us secure the future of East End Community Thrift? Donate to help us raise $20,000 to sunset TMC Operations & Save Thrifty!

Donate today: bit.ly/TMC_Donate

07/30/2024

An Update from Thrifty!

This August, we will be unable to accept donations at Thrifty! If you'd still like to contribute to the Thrifty community we encourage you to support our shop by:

Attending First Friday: We'll be open late on First Friday (Aug 2) for our monthly Fill-A-Bag & Basement Sale!

Volunteering with us: Come sort donations on Wednesday's from 5pm-7:30. Sign up or show up to volunteer! (See link.tree for sign-up, the garage door will be open on Gem Way behind the store front.

Shop with us! Stop by during store hours to shop till you drop! From work attire to school clothes, we've got something for everyone!

Hours: T-F 10am-3p & Sat 12p - 3p

07/24/2024

We're making moves on Right to Counsel+ legislation! Yesterday, dedicated funding for eviction prevention and housing stabilization was introduced! Thank you to the community members and activists for standing up for just and equitable housing, for the community organizations standing with them, and our elected representatives for listening to the voices of the people!

Pittsburgh City Council will consider a measure to expand a program that provides free legal assistance to low-income renters facing eviction.

06/20/2024

URGENT! WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT!
Thomas Merton Center staff receive numerous requests for movement support and activist guidance each day. And, we need your help to ensure we can continue to answer the call. Here are some ways that you can support:

Donate Today: bit.ly/TMC_Donate

Tell us what being a member means to you: bit.ly/Member_Survey2024

Join us for lunch this Saturday at our office in Community Forge:
bit.ly/MemberLunch2024