Every dollar of profit from this thrift store helps families in Haiti and the Bahamas. That’s a pretty great reason to go shopping.
I can’t think of a better excuse to browse for a new lamp.
The store is big, and it carries a serious amount of used furniture. Clothing, home decor, housewares, and toys fill the floor too.
Fair-trade goods and Haitian-made products add a twist you won’t find at most secondhand shops.
I like how the shelves keep changing, so no two trips look quite the same. One week might bring a sturdy dresser.
The next might bring holiday decor or a shelf of sheet music.
This Iowa shop turns bargain hunting into a feel-good habit. You leave with something useful, and someone else gets a boost too.
So what might be waiting for you in the next aisle?
Furniture Hunters Should Probably Bring A Bigger Vehicle
Measuring tape in your pocket? Smart move.
Many Hands locations are known as large stores with a big selection of used furniture.
That makes the Clive shop a solid stop if you’re furnishing a first apartment. It also works for anyone redoing a guest room on a budget.
Dressers, tables, and chairs can all turn up on the floor. Because everything is donated, the lineup shifts often.
What you see this week may vanish by the next.
My advice is simple. If a piece fits your space and your style, don’t wander off for an hour to think about it.
Furniture flippers know this trick well. A scuffed piece with good bones can become a weekend project and a fresh look for your living room.
Before you go, measure the spot at home. Snap a photo of the room too.
That way you can picture how a new find will fit before you haul it out to the parking lot.
And yes, check your trunk space first. Nobody wants to tie a bookshelf to the roof with shoelaces.
The Clothing Racks Are Sorted In A Way Your Closet Will Envy
Organized clothing racks are a thrifter’s best friend. At Many Hands Thrift Market, clothes are a big part of the mix.
The store has been noted for keeping clothing sorted by size and color. That small detail saves a lot of digging.
You can head straight to your size and scan for the shade you want.
Looking for a cozy fall sweater? A vest for layering?
A pair of jeans that already feel broken in? Secondhand racks are perfect for this kind of search.
Kids grow fast, too. Buying their clothes secondhand can stretch a family budget much further.
Here’s a helpful habit. Check seams, zippers, and buttons before you buy.
Try things on if you can, since sizes vary by brand.
I like the idea of building a wardrobe slowly this way. You end up with pieces that feel unique instead of copied from a mall window.
And when your own closet gets crowded, you can bring your extras back as donations. The cycle keeps going, and so does the good work behind it.
Your Shopping Cart Can Help Families Far Beyond Iowa
Shopping rarely feels this generous. Many Hands Thrift Market in Clive is part of Many Hands for Haiti, an Iowa-based nonprofit founded in 2008.
Profits from the store support local and global missions, helping create opportunities for underserved communities, including families in Haiti and Abaco in the Bahamas.
The impact reaches beyond international borders. In Iowa, Many Hands partners with local nonprofits to provide assistance through vouchers, gift cards, and financial donations.
That means your new coffee table could help a neighbor across town while also supporting families thousands of miles away. Not bad for a Tuesday errand.
That charitable mission adds another dimension to the shopping experience. You’re not just searching for a bargain; your purchase also contributes to a broader effort to help others.
So the next time you pick up a sweater or a set of mugs, remember that your purchase supports more than a secondhand shop. It’s a small way to contribute to the organization’s work in Iowa and abroad.
Fair-Trade Treasures Bring A Little Haiti To The Shelves
Brand-new items in a thrift store? Yep.
Alongside its gently used goods, Many Hands sells new fair-trade items and Haitian-made products.
These purchases support economic development. In plain terms, they help artisans earn a living from their craft.
That’s a pretty meaningful souvenir to set on a shelf.
The store has also been praised for its metal yard ornaments in both large and small sizes. Haiti is well known for cut metal art, so these pieces carry a special story.
Handmade goods make thoughtful gifts too. A birthday or housewarming present feels richer when it supports someone’s work directly.
I can’t imagine a better conversation starter for a garden or porch. Friends will ask where you found it, and you’ll have a great answer ready.
Keep an eye on this section whenever you stop by. Stock changes, just like the rest of the store.
Mixing new handmade pieces with secondhand finds gives your home a layered, personal look. It feels collected, not bought in a single trip to a big box store.
Home Decor Lovers, Clear Some Room On Your Mantel
Decor shoppers, consider yourselves warned. Home decor and housewares rank among the standout categories at this Clive store.
Shelves can hold anything from vases and frames to kitchen basics. One shopper even mentioned finding Christmas decor, antiques, sheet music, and a houseplant at this location.
That’s quite a range for one building.
The store is also known for nice displays. Items are grouped in a way that helps you picture them at home.
Swapping seasonal decor gets expensive fast at regular retail. Buying secondhand lets you refresh a room without draining your wallet.
Try shopping with a color scheme in mind. Pick two or three shades you love and look for pieces that match.
It keeps you focused when every shelf is calling your name.
Housewares deserve a look too. Extra plates, baking dishes, and storage containers often show up for far less than new.
I believe the best rooms tell a story. A few thrifted pieces with history can do that better than a matching set ever could.
Every Visit Plays Out Like A Brand-New Treasure Hunt
Ever-changing shelves are the whole thrill here. Shoppers often describe Many Hands as a treasure hunt, and that description fits.
Donations arrive regularly, so the store’s lineup keeps shifting. Your favorite aisle may look completely different two weeks from now.
That’s exactly why frequent visits pay off. Stopping in more often gives you more chances to spot something special before anyone else does.
Variety is a big part of the appeal. Clothing, toys, books, decor, and furniture all live under one roof.
You never quite know which corner will hold the prize.
Want a smart strategy? Make a short wish list and keep it on your phone.
Then stay open to happy surprises along the way.
A walk through every section is worth your time too. Great finds sometimes hide in departments you’d normally skip.
Honestly, that’s the fun of thrifting. A trip can start with a hunt for picture frames and end with a vintage serving bowl you didn’t know you needed.
Good luck leaving empty-handed.
Free Points Make Your Bargains Even Sweeter
Many Hands Thrift Rewards gives shoppers a little extra value with their purchases. Before you start collecting points, check the store’s current rewards program details to confirm how the system works.
If membership only requires a phone number, you won’t need another loyalty card in your wallet or an extra app on your phone.
For frequent shoppers, a rewards program can make regular visits even more worthwhile. With new donations arriving and inventory changing, each trip offers another chance to find something useful.
Shopping as a family? Check whether the program allows multiple household members to earn points under one account before sharing a phone number.
Small perks can help your budget go further while supporting the store’s charitable mission.
If you’re planning a weekend thrift run, ask about Many Hands Thrift Rewards at checkout. Once you’ve confirmed the current terms, you can make the most of any benefits available.
Finding a great bargain while supporting a good cause makes thrift shopping even more rewarding.
Your Garage Clutter Could Become Someone Else’s Lucky Find
Cleaning out a closet feels great. Knowing your stuff helps a good cause feels even better.
Many Hands Thrift Market accepts a wide range of gently used items. Think books, clothing, electronics, furniture, shoes, and toys.
Donation hours run Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Saturdays, drop-offs happen from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Donations are closed on the other days, so plan your trip.
Big furniture can be a headache to move. Luckily, the store offers free furniture pickup within the Des Moines Metro area.
That’s a huge help if you’re downsizing or moving. No borrowed truck, no sore back, no awkward stairs.
Well, fewer awkward stairs.
Before donating, give items a quick wipe and check that everything works. Clean, complete goods are easier to sell and do more good.
I like how this creates a loop in the community. Your old bookshelf becomes someone’s new favorite piece.
Meanwhile, the money from that sale supports families in Iowa and beyond.
Plan Your Trip Around These Handy Hours And Location
Finding the store is the easy part. Many Hands Thrift Market sits at 8801 University Avenue, Clive, IA 50325, in the western Des Moines suburbs.
The Clive location opened in 2020. It belongs to a growing family of Iowa stores that started in Spencer back in 2013.
Hours stretch long enough for after-work trips. Most weekdays, the doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
Thursdays start earlier, at 9 a.m.
Saturdays run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday shopping happens in the afternoon, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Holidays and special events can shift the schedule. A quick check before heading out saves you from staring at a locked door.
Early birds might like Thursday or Saturday mornings. That extra hour gives you a head start on the aisles.
The store is also known for having a nice flow and plenty of space to move. That makes browsing more relaxing, even with a cart full of finds.
Volunteering Lets You Join The Good Work Behind The Scenes
Recognition has followed this store around. TravelMag ranked the Clive location fourth among thrift stores in Iowa.
Collectively, Many Hands stores have earned more than 15 local community awards.
Much of that success depends on people pitching in. Many Hands offers volunteer opportunities with a range of roles across its locations.
Volunteering is a hands-on way to support the mission. You see how donations become stocked shelves and, eventually, real help for families.
It also suits many schedules and ages. Retirees, students, and busy parents can all find ways to lend a hand.
Groups can make it a team event too. Friends, church groups, or coworkers might enjoy spending a few hours together for a cause.
I believe giving time can feel just as rewarding as giving money. Sometimes it feels even better.
So whether you shop, donate, or volunteer, you become part of something bigger here. That’s a pretty great return on one trip to University Avenue.
Your gas money might come back in savings, but the good feeling sticks around longer.
