Social Media Minute

Understanding Facebook Analytics and How They Can Help

Congratulations to all of you who are working to engage with our volunteers, donors, and customers through social media. You may wonder if it is making a difference or if the content is building community and increasing support. Facebook’s analytics hub offers clear insights that can help us refine our strategy and strengthen our outreach.
 

Start with the Professional Dashboard
The Professional Dashboard tab provides quick snapshots of reach, engagement, and content.
Use it to spot trends: Are more people seeing the content this month? Which posts are gaining momentum?
 

Focus on Reach and Engagement
Two metrics matter most: Reach and Engagement.

• Reach shows how many people saw your posts. Big jumps often mean a story, photo, or update resonated with the audience.
   
• Engagement measures likes, comments, shares, and clicks. High engagement indicates the content is sparking conversations and connections. Review the most interactive posts to understand what supporters care about most.

Check Content Performance
In the Content or Posts tab, compare how different formats perform. Videos may draw attention, but photos, graphics, and short text posts can be just as effective. Look for patterns in what consistently performs well.

Know Your Audience
The Audience section shows who is being reached and when they’re online. Use this information to schedule posts at peak times and tailor messages to the community’s interests.
Regularly reviewing Facebook analytics can help to create stronger content, deepen engagement, and amplify our mission of “Supporting global missions through local thrift.” Keep up the good work!

If you have a great social media idea to share, email it to Ann at [email protected] 

Ann Minnick

Social Media Coordinator, Corporate Office

Keeping Donations Flowing During the Winter Slowdown

January and February are traditionally quieter months for donations. After the holidays, many households feel “donated out,” routines slow down, and colder weather makes extra trips less appealing. But with a little creativity and encouragement, these slower months can become an opportunity to build new habits and stronger connections with our donors.

Two simple strategies can make a big difference: thanking donors with a small incentive and inviting them to take part in a fun, manageable decluttering challenge.

A Small Thank-You Goes a Long Way

One effective way to motivate donations during slower seasons is by offering a coupon to customers who donate.  A modest discount, such as $5 off of a $25 or 5% off a total, on a future purchase is a meaningful thank you that encourages repeat visits while showing appreciation for their generosity. It’s a win-win: donors feel valued, and stores benefit from both increased donations and return shopping.

Introducing the “Bag a Week Decluttering Challenge”

Another easy and engaging idea every Legacy Thrift store can use is hosting a “Bag a Week Decluttering Challenge.” This challenge reminds donors that decluttering doesn’t require an entire weekend or a major home overhaul. In fact, one of the simplest ways to make progress, and support their local Legacy Thrift store, is by filling just one donation bag a week.

8 Weeks of Easy Decluttering Ideas

1. 10-Minute Tidy
Choose one room and declutter for just 10 minutes—then stop. A short burst of effort is often all it takes to make progress. Don’t forget spaces like the basement or garage.

2. Declutter by Season
As spring approaches, sort through winter clothing and accessories. If items weren’t worn last season, they’re likely ready for a new home.

3. Donate Duplicates
Extra mugs, water bottles, tote bags, or blankets add up quickly. Keep your favorites and pass the rest along.

4. Stay on Top of Kids’ Items
Outgrown clothes, unused toys, and books children have moved on from make excellent donations—and create space for upcoming birthday or holiday gifts.

5. Clear One Surface
Dresser tops, coffee tables, and entryway benches tend to collect clutter. Clearing just one or two surfaces can easily fill a donation bag.

6. Keep a Donation Bag Visible
Place a bag in a high-traffic spot like a closet, laundry room, or garage and add items to it throughout the week.

7. Revisit Storage Spaces
Tackle one closet or storage area and remove items you no longer need. You’ll enjoy the extra space, and Legacy Thrift will appreciate the donations.

8. Edit Your Hobbies
Too much yarn? Never started that sewing project? Craft supplies, sports equipment, and hobby items are often forgotten but greatly appreciated donations.

Small Bags, Big Impact

In just one month, donors can contribute four bags. Over a year, that adds up to more than 50 bags making a meaningful difference for our stores, our community, and our ministry partners. As a bonus, donors enjoy a more organized, clutter-free home.

Extra Challenge: Encourage donors to share photos of their filled bags or decluttered spaces on their local Legacy Thrift Facebook page. It’s a great way to build community, inspire others, and celebrate generosity together.

Jessica Nolan-Bruinsma

Testimonies from our Ministry Partners

Bringing Hope to Haiti

We love seeing how God is at work around the world through our partners. We’re excited to share a glimpse of what He is doing through Bible League International in Haiti.

Nadine found joy in Christ and literacy, despite poverty and violence in Port-au-Prince.

In Delmas 24—a densely populated neighborhood in the capital city—dusty roads wind through homes built from concrete and tin, markets buzz with activity, and the air carries the scent of fried plantains, sea breeze, and exhaust fumes. Yet under this vibrant energy lies a city gripped by poverty, unrest, and violence that often disrupts everyday life.

This is where Nadine, a bright, determined 20-year-old woman, lives with her parents. From a young age, she dreamed of learning to read and write, but her family couldn’t afford to send her to school. “We didn’t have the means,” Nadine says. “And I was often sick when I was little.” Without access to education or stable health, her dream felt out of reach.

Nadine helps her mother sell laundry products in the local market, a common job in Port-au-Prince where many families rely on informal vending to survive. But everything began to shift in November 2023 when the pastor’s wife invited her to join a Bible League Bible-based Literacy group. Despite the violence in Delmas 24, which has forced many to flee and made life increasingly dangerous, Nadine said yes.

“I was nervous, but I knew I had to try,” she says. She kept attending, determined to grow in knowledge. Over time, she learned to read and write, and as her understanding deepened, something even more powerful happened—she encountered the Gospel.

“I received eternal life at the end of January 2024,” she says, her voice filled with joy. Her transformation didn’t stop there. She invited her literacy instructors to her home to share the Good News with her parents. They also believed. Now the entire family attends church together, where the literacy group meets weekly.

What changed everything? A combination of God’s Word, consistent support, and Nadine’s perseverance. “We thank God for the way He is changing our lives—both spiritually and socially,” Nadine says.

Life in Port-au-Prince remains unpredictable, but Nadine now faces it with confidence.

"I’m not the same person. I can read. I can write. And I know Jesus."

Legacy Thrift exists to raise funds for strategically selected ministries that share the Good News of Jesus Christ around the world.

Legacy Thrift Ministry Partners: