Parents are planning to spend an average of $489 per K-12 student on back-to-school shopping this year. With the cost of living and many school essentials steadily rising, families are having to get creative with how to shop smart and save big.
For 20.9% of families, shopping secondhand is emerging as the solution of choice.
With a diverse selection of quality secondhand clothing, accessories, classroom materials and more essentials to choose from, Goodwill of Greater Detroit should be your one-stop shop for back-to-school shopping – for three key reasons.
1. Get more for less.
From modern fashion staples and brand names all the cool kids will be wearing, to vintage finds cycling back into the trend spotlight and everything in between, Goodwill stores offer a wide selection of clothing and accessories that is replenished throughout each day as new donations come in.
For the price of one big box store item, you can often bring home several quality pieces from a thrift store, giving your child a bigger haul at a lower cost. Plus, you can browse unique finds often unlike any alternatives currently being mass produced – occasionally uncovering some real hidden gems, like designer bags, shoes or vintage, dorm-ready furniture.
2. Enhance the sustainability of your shopping habits.
With trends fleeting and growth spurting, what works for your child their first month back at school may not work for them come months three and four – especially for elementary school kids.
If you know your child is likely to cycle through their initial back-to-school purchases before the semester is over, consider kickstarting that cycle at the thrift store. Not only will you meet style standards at a price point that’s easier to stomach, but you’ll also avoid contributing to cycles of fast fashion and mass production and prolong the use of preexisting garments to reduce waste, especially if you then donate those items back to your local Goodwill once your child outgrows them.
3. Make a difference in our community.
Did you know that completing your child’s back-to-school shopping at Goodwill can help send someone else back to school?
Ninety-two cents of every dollar you spend in our stores fuels life-changing personal and professional training programs for local community members living with disabilities or other barriers to education and employment. So, as you prepare to send your child back to school, your purchases help make that privilege a reality for adults who are longing for it.
Eighteen-year-old Lacy is one such individual. Lacy grew up on Detroit’s east side, where he watched poverty, substance use, crime and other barriers stand between those around him and a life of prosperity. Lacy was determined to chart a different path for himself – a better future that purposeful employment could unlock.
“I just want to make sure that I’m good for myself when I grow up,” he said. “I can support myself, support my family if I need to. I just want to make sure that I’m in a good spot.”
After graduating from Harper Woods High School in 2025, Lacy enrolled in the Goodwill of Greater Detroit Career Academy, where he studied and participated in hands-on training to master the technical skills necessary for a career in welding. But more than that, he honed personal skills – things like self-discipline, confidence, a strong work ethic and a sustainable daily routine that would keep him on course.
Thanks to the mentorship of his instructors and, above all, his own commitment to achieving his goals, Lacy has joined Boilermakers Local 169, a significant step toward building the infrastructure for a successful career.
“The instructors [at the Goodwill Career Academy] actually help and keep in touch with you and make sure that you’re doing what you’re supposed to do to make your life better,” said Lacy. “I met people that can help me get into doors that were closed for me.”
Your Back-to-School Thrift List
Visit a Goodwill store near you in Canton, Commerce, Dearborn, Livonia, Madison Heights, Southfield, Woodhaven and Ypsilanti to browse for back-to-school essentials.*
- Clothes, shoes and other stylish pieces.
- Backpacks from The North Face, JanSport and other trendy brands, or featuring your kids’ favorite characters.
- A dry-erase or chalkboard for first and last day photo ops
- Dorm furniture and décor, like bookshelves, lamps, wall art and more.
- Equipment and gear for extracurricular activities, such as soccer cleats, hockey sticks, theater costume materials, canvases and other art basics.
*Our in-store inventory is always subject to change. Stop into your local Goodwill store often to enjoy new donated goods as they hit the shelves!
