By Satyne Doner, Contributing writer
A short drive down SR 52, less than five minutes away from Saint Leo University’s main campus, brings students to a thrifting haven: Solutions Thrift Store. Located at 35535 State Rd. 52, this quaint store is home to a vast array of second-hand clothing, housewares, furniture, knick-knacks, and books.
The most admirable attribute of Solutions Thrift Store is the fact that 100 percent of sales made go towards supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence. You are not only shopping sustainably at Solutions Thrift Store, but you are also contributing to the Pasco County community.
Solutions Thrift Store is part of Sunrise of Pasco County, an agency dedicated to uplifting, educating, and empowering victims of domestic abuse. The agency was founded in 1982 by survivors themselves, and since then has supported thousands of families throughout the area.
In addition to being a treasure trove of gently used clothing and collectibles at more than fair prices, Solutions Thrift Store offers weekly deals too. For example, on Mar. 1, their sale was 50 percent off all housewares! On Mar. 3, they had 50 percent off all boutique clothing.
At Solutions Thrift Store, you’re guaranteed to secure what is often called a “Thrift Store Score,” or bargain!
You can even find Saint Leo University collectibles at Solutions Thrift Store! 
The team at Solutions Thrift Store work hard to color-code all clothing, which makes shopping a breeze.. 
Solutions has row after row of glassware, collectibles, and knick-knacks. 
They have an array of jeans: men, women, and children’s jeans can all be found here. 
The shoes were neat and organized, with many to pick from. 
The best wall in the entire store- their expansive collection of books, DVDs, and records.
Saint Leo students are welcome to shop, donate, and volunteer. Solutions Thrift Store has many ways to get involved, from sorting racks to tagging items. They make the donation process quick and easy; you simply drop off items at their back door.
Both donations and purchases support families who have been affected by domestic violence. Families are given priority to donations, and they are free to take anything they need to start a new life away from abuse, whether that be clothing, furniture, or linens. All proceeds from Solutions Thrift Store go towards these families as well, not just for Sunrise of Pasco County’s agency, but others within the community.
Shopping with a purpose has never felt so good. At Solutions Thrift Store, you are doing more than just purchasing a pair of jeans or a jacket; you are helping to uplift the community. Whether you’re thrifting, volunteering, or donating, every little bit counts and is appreciated. So, next time you’re in the mood for a bargain, head to Solutions Thrift Store. It’s less than five minutes away!
To find out more about Solutions Thrift Store, you can call them at (352)-521-3000. They are open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and close on Sundays. Their website is sunrisepasco.org/thrift-store. Lastly, if you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please call their 24-hour hotline at (352)-521-3120.
