SAN DIEGO, CA — If you love a good bargain, hunting for vintage treasures, or giving new life to gently used items, you’ll want to mark your calendar for National Thrift Shop Day this Sunday, Aug. 17.

The annual celebration is a chance to explore secondhand stores, support local nonprofits and score deals in and around San Diego .

Thrift shopping isn’t just about saving money, it’s also about sustainability. Buying secondhand keeps usable items out of landfills and reduces the demand for new goods, which means less waste and fewer resources used in manufacturing. Plus, many thrift shops are run by charities, so your purchase may help fund job training, shelters, community programs or other local services.

Goodwill in Southern California is marking the occasion with a weeklong promotion that kicked off earlier this week and will continue through Sunday. Shoppers can visit a local Goodwill store to enter for a chance to win “fabulous prizes.”

“There’s no better time to find unique treasures and support your community,” Goodwill officials said.

In the Bay Area, Goodwill is offering 50 percent off in-store items on Saturday, Aug. 16. The chain is also offering ideas in several areas of Northern California on how to spend a low-cost day after shopping.

“After you’ve bagged your treasures, round out the adventure with a few no-cost ways to enjoy the local scenery, share time with family or friends, or impress your out-of-town guests,” Goodwill San Francisco Bay said.

From Friday through Sunday, Aug. 15-17, The Salvation Army Thrift Stores in California will celebrate National Thrift Shop Day with a weekend-long sale offering 50 percent off all regular-priced clothing.

Shoppers can browse racks of unique and affordable finds while enjoying savings on everything from dresses and tops to jeans, the chain said.

Here are a few local thrift shops in San Diego you can check out this week:

  • Salvation Army Otay Mesa Thrift Store: 7425 Otay Mesa Road, San Diego
  • Salvation Army San Diego Thrift Store: 3240 Sports Arena Blvd., San Diego
  • Salvation Army College Area Thrift Store: 6875 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego

Here’s the full list of Goodwill retail stores in the county. Here’s a list of Salvation Army Thrift Stores in the county.

Whether you’re after a vintage jacket, a one-of-a-kind piece of furniture, or just a fun way to spend an afternoon, National Thrift Shop Day is the perfect excuse to shop smart, save money and support your community.