Sometimes We Miss the Bigger Picture: Tuesday Morning with Lynn

By Lynn Pritchard August 12 2026

Sometimes We Miss the Bigger Picture

Lately, I have been seeing a lot of videos criticizing Goodwill and other thrift stores because people feel some of their prices have gotten too high.

And I understand why people notice it. When something has been donated, it is easy to think, Why are they charging that much for something they received for free?

But sometimes I think we forget to look at the bigger picture.

These organizations still have buildings to maintain, employees to pay, utilities, insurance and all of the other expenses that come with operating a business. But more importantly, nonprofit organizations can also use the money they raise to support programs that help people who are struggling.

And that part is very personal to me.

Many years ago, I had a relative living with me. I won’t get into the whole story—let’s just say it was a life lesson.

When that person eventually left, I was struggling financially.

At the time, I lived up North. It was winter. There was snow on the ground, and I was trying to figure out how I was going to keep my home warm and keep everything going.

I needed heating oil.

I had an electric bill that I was struggling to pay.

I finally called The Salvation Army and asked for help.

They paid my electric bill.

And they helped fill my oil tank so I could heat my home.

I have never forgotten that.

When you are going through a difficult time, having someone step in and take even one burden off your shoulders can mean more than people realize.

That experience changed the way I look at charitable organizations and thrift stores.

So when I see videos saying, “Look how much they want for this!” I sometimes think there is another side to the conversation.

Yes, we should be able to question prices. And yes, organizations should always be responsible with the money entrusted to them.

But we should also remember that there can be a mission behind the merchandise.

The shirt, lamp, chair or household item someone purchases may be part of something much larger than that one transaction.

For me, this isn't really about defending a particular price tag.

It is about remembering that there was once a winter when I needed help—and an organization was there for me.

They didn't know me personally.

They didn't owe me anything.

But because resources were available, someone was able to say, “We can help.”

My electricity stayed on.

My home had heat.

And during a very difficult chapter of my life, that mattered tremendously.

So before we automatically assume that every dollar charged by a nonprofit thrift store is simply about making money, maybe we should take a moment to look at what else that organization does.

Sometimes we see the price tag.

I know this because once, that person was me.

And I have never forgotten it.

— Lynn