St. James Caring Center Thrift Store
Recycling Center in St James, Missouri
About This Location
The St. James Caring Center Thrift Store at 113 W. Eldon Street in St. James, Missouri, is a nonprofit resale shop — not a municipal recycling center — that extends the useful life of donated goods and diverts them from landfills. Operated by the St. James Caring Center (a Phelps County nonprofit), every sale directly funds benevolent services for local residents, including help with utilities, rent, prescriptions, and emergency food. The store accepts clean, gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, books, small and large appliances, home décor, kitchenware, toys, and knickknacks as donation drop-offs during open hours; mattresses/box springs, computers, monitors, tires, and TVs are explicitly not accepted. Because this facility primarily functions as a charity thrift store and donation drop-off rather than a government-run materials-recovery or drop-off recycling center, visitors looking for curbside recycling or hazardous-waste disposal should contact Phelps County directly.
What St. James Caring Center Thrift Store Accepts
Related recycling guides: Appliances · Textiles & Clothing
What they do not accept
Only clean, usable donations are accepted. Items that are damaged, soiled, or on the not-accepted list (mattresses, box springs, computers, monitors, tires, TVs) will be turned away. Source: https://www.alignable.com/saint-james-mo/st-james-caring-center
Fees
- Donation drop-off — No fee
Access & restrictions
Public drop-off during store open hours. This is a charity thrift store and donation drop-off, not a government recycling center. Open to all donors; no appointment needed for standard drop-offs. · Walk-in (no appointment) · Benevolent services (utilities, rent, prescriptions, emergency food assistance) are limited to residents within the St. James School District. The thrift store itself is open to the general public for shopping and donations.
Programs & events
- Benevolent Services — Thrift store sales fund assistance for St. James School District residents: utilities, rent/deposit, non-narcotic prescriptions, long-distance medical travel, and emergency food.
- Food Pantry / Commodity Day — Monthly commodity distribution on the 3rd Thursday for St. James School District residents; emergency food available. Supported by Central Missouri Food Bank.
Materials, fees and hours can change — call ahead to confirm before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a public recycling center or a thrift store?
The St. James Caring Center Thrift Store is a nonprofit charity thrift store and donation drop-off, not a municipal or government-run recycling center. It accepts gently used goods for resale, which keeps items out of the landfill, but it does not process curbside recyclables, electronics (e-waste), or hazardous materials.
Do they accept TVs, computers, or monitors as donations?
No. Televisions, computers, and computer monitors are explicitly not accepted as donations at this store. For electronics recycling, you will need to contact a dedicated e-waste facility or Phelps County solid-waste services.
Are mattresses or tires accepted?
No. Mattresses, box springs, and tires are on the store's explicit not-accepted list. These items require specialized disposal or recycling options outside of this thrift store.
Are the benevolent services (utility help, food assistance) available to everyone?
No. Benevolent services — including help with utilities, rent, prescriptions, and emergency food — are available only to people living within the St. James School District. The thrift store itself is open to all shoppers and donors.
What payment methods does the store accept?
The store is noted to accept cash. Card acceptance has not been confirmed from a verified source; call (573) 265-2047 to confirm current payment options before your visit.
Last verified: November 2026. Sources: source · source · source · source. Spotted something wrong? Suggest a correction.