JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
The Andrews Attic provides an inexpensive alternative to active duty service members, E-5 and below, where one man's trash is another man's come-up. Service members have the option to shop at the Base Exchange or off-base businesses, but when looking to pop some tags, there's no shame in hunting for second-hand shopping deals.
To shop at the Attic is free and all items available are donated by active-duty service members and their families. Instead of spending $50 on a t-shirt, service members can shop for just about anything they need with the options ranging from old uniforms or cleaning supplies to children's toys.
"About 150 to 200 families take advantage of the Attic every week," said Racheal Burton, an Andrews Attic volunteer. "The Attic accepts just about any donations, like clothes, food, appliances and electronics."
The only items the Attic does not accept are used undergarments and old tube television sets. Unused items that are not taken by Andrews Attic customers are donated to several charities run by either retired service members or their spouses.
"All items have a purpose, so we don't like to throw anything away," said Burton.
Military dependents can also take advantage of the Andrews Attic, such Jennifer Kneifati, a military spouse, who's family, like many Andrews families, benefits from the inventory available from the Attic.
"I come here all the time," said Kneifati. "You never know what you'll find."
According to Burton, the majority of the people who work at the Attic are military spouses who volunteer their time. Burton is just one of the military spouses who volunteer 25 to 30 hours of their free time each week at the Andrews Attic.
"I'm really appreciative of the Andrews Attic," said Senior Airman Steele Britton, Air Force District of Washington Headquarters Staff. "I saved around several hundred dollars shopping at the Attic and I'm still using stuff I got months ago. I would definitely recommend Airman check this place out first before spending money they might need later on."
There is also a food bank and a diaper bank for service members who are serious need of either of the two commodities, said Burton.
The Attic is open to all active duty ranks on the first Friday of each month.
The Attic's normal shopping hours are Tuesday and Friday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The volunteer hours are Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.