Charity for All of South Carolina Thrift Store is located at 7650 Highway 11 in Campobello. Photo courtesy of Charity for All of South Carolina.
When most people walk into a thrift store, they’re hoping to leave with a great deal or an unexpected treasure. At Charity for All of South Carolina in Campobello, every purchase tells a much bigger story.
For founder and owner Julie R. Gwinn-Bright and Karen M. Diercks, director of donations and inventory management, that story is about transforming everyday donations into meaningful support for South Carolinians facing some of life’s most difficult seasons.
Located at 7650 Highway 11, Charity for All of South Carolina has become a destination for bargain hunters, collectors and antique lovers, but behind every donated lamp, stack of books and piece of furniture is a mission that reaches far beyond its showroom.
Although the nonprofit operates independently from the Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation, the organizations share a common goal. Charity for All of South Carolina was founded by Gwinn-Bright under a business model the Foundation had envisioned but never fully developed, creating a sustainable source of funding to help offset times when grants and charitable giving alone aren’t enough.
“The thrift store was opened to help bridge the gap in funding for Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation when grants and patient donations are not enough,” the team said. “The recent downturn in monetary giving also played a part, as millennials do not give the same way that baby boomers have over the past 20 years.”
Founded in 2000 by J. David Niday and Todd A. Picou, the Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation serves qualifying residents throughout South Carolina through three core programs. Those include providing financial assistance to adults and children facing end-of-life issues, hosting Camp Hands of Hope grief camps for children ages 3 to 18 and their families after the loss of a loved one within the previous three years, and supplying grief education materials to churches, schools and other community partners.
At the end of each month, Charity for All of South Carolina donates its net proceeds to the Foundation. The Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation’s board of directors then determines where the funds are needed most, whether that’s financial assistance for families, grief camp programming or educational outreach.
The organization first opened Nov. 1, 2023, in Spartanburg before Gwinn-Bright rebranded the operation in early 2025. After relocating to Campobello, it celebrated a soft reopening on April 15 and has quickly become a favorite stop for both local residents and visitors traveling along scenic Highway 11.
Community support has exceeded expectations.
“We are receiving donations daily from the community,” the team said. “No donation is too small.”
That steady stream of donations keeps inventory constantly changing, giving shoppers a reason to return often. Behind the scenes, the process is made possible by a dedicated team, including Adam F. Diercks, who oversees building maintenance while playing a key role in the store’s daily operations. He receives incoming donations, unpacks and sorts items, and helps organize merchandise before it reaches the sales floor. His behind-the-scenes efforts help ensure the store remains well-stocked, organized and ready to welcome shoppers each day.
The store carries clothing, books, antiques, furniture, home décor, collectibles, knickknacks and “man cave” items, along with seasonal merchandise, crafting supplies, office furniture, tools, pianos and medical equipment.
Customers have noticed something else that sets the store apart.
“We have received several comments from customers about how clean and organized our store is compared to other thrift stores,” the team said.
Looking ahead, the organization is developing specialty pet supply and book corners that will also benefit two additional nonprofit organizations, expanding the store’s impact even further within the community.
The team hopes visitors leave with more than a great bargain. They describe the atmosphere as “friendly, fun, clean, organized and inviting,” adding that many customers leave saying they’ve found a new favorite thrift store.
The organization accepts most gently used household donations, although it cannot accept used mattresses, bed sheets, pillowcases, pillows, bathing suits or underwear. Volunteer opportunities are expected to open in 2027, with announcements shared through the Hospice & Palliative Care Foundation and Camp Hands of Hope social media pages, the organization’s website and electronic newsletters.
Whether someone drops off a single box of clothing or leaves with a one-of-a-kind antique, every donation and purchase helps support programs that provide comfort, grief support and practical assistance to families across South Carolina.
For more information, visit www.hpcfoundation.org/thriftstore, email thriftstore@hpcfoundation.org or call 864-285-8060.
