EDITORIAL
By Christa Baeza Valdez
We, in both the royal and collective sense, absolutely love our thrifting. And thank goodness for that, as consumer waste is at an all-time high, after decades of fast fashion and mass production, and acknowledging the fact that a 2025 study by UNM researchers found microplastic concentrations in human brains increased by about 50% between 2016 and 2024.
Upcycling and buying secondhand are both great ways to shop sustainably. I happen to know actual professional thrifters; they’re really that good. Occasionally witnessing them practice their craft borders on magical.
We all have our favorite places; if you’re anything like the editorial we at ¡Viva New Mexico!, we even tend to get to know some of the cashiers and associates. The establishments we frequent all seem to provide gainful employment to some good people. Many of these employees are rehabilitating their lives. It all seems like a pretty good system.
I’d like to call on back-to-school shoppers, decorators, fashionistas, and those just looking to clothe people or furnish a home or office for themselves or others to get to thriftin’. In the following case, fulfilling the shopping impulse also helps sustain a great parent organization.
I think of everything in terms of film and media. Every journey and opportunity, even shopping, reminds me of the Titanic, a grand voyage rife with potential disaster, because, such is life. We’re all on this particular odyssey together, and when or where we stop, nobody knows.
While we’re here, I hope everyone can find ways to enjoy their journey. Some have much more difficult paths than others, and it seems the ship-in-peril practice oughta apply: “Women and children first.”
That’s why we’re excited to donate to and shop at S.A.F.E. House Thriftique: the retail destination that benefits S.A.F.E. House, a local domestic violence shelter providing and promoting Shelter and Family Empowerment.
Learn more below about this amazing organization as well as even more ways to support survivors of domestic violence.
Ways You Can Help
From S.A.F.E. House Executive Director Amy Kindrick:
Make a Financial Donation
First and foremost, financial contributions provide us with the greatest flexibility and opportunity to meet the immediate and ongoing needs of our residents.
Every dollar donated directly supports our ability to provide safety, resources, and essential services to those we serve.
Volunteer Your Time
Your time and talents can make a meaningful difference.
Volunteers can assist in a variety of ways, including preparing and serving meals, helping at our thrift store, or working directly with residents. There are opportunities to fit a wide range of interests, skills, and schedules.
Donate Gently Used Items
Donating gently used clothing, household goods, and other needed items to our thrift store is another valuable way to support our residents.
Residents have direct access to donated items, and proceeds from thrift store sales go directly toward supporting the individuals and families we serve.
Every contribution—whether it is your financial support, your time, or your gently used items—helps us provide safety, hope, and opportunity to those in need.
Patrick Bell, thrift store manager, said: “We are really proud of the improvements we are making at Thriftique, with the intention of enhancing the shopping experience of our customers, providing excellent service and an incredible value with competitive pricing.
