How St Vincent de Paul Society turned donated books into £86,000 ($109,000)
Every book that comes through the doors of a St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) charity shop carries a story. But for Ann Schuster, Regional Manager for SVP's network of 40+ shops in the UK, the real story is what happens next — and how those pre-loved books are helping to feed families, support refugees, and give children a summer they'll never forget. Since partnering with Sell Your Books Pro, SVP has turned that donated stock into over £86,000 ($109,000) in additional revenue.
A problem piling up out back
SVP shops are beloved community hubs — places where people don't just drop in to browse, but to chat, connect, and feel part of something. Books are one of their most popular donated items, arriving in bulk as donors clear out their houses.
But with limited backroom space and many recycling companies refusing to take unsold books, SVP faced a real headache. Without a solution, perfectly good books were heading for landfill and a valuable revenue stream was being lost.
"Without the shops and the funding we generate through them, we couldn't do the work. It's a no-brainer. It's a quick win, it's good money, and it's enjoyable for the staff and volunteers."
Ann Schuster
Regional Retail Manager
Scanning for something bigger
Ann made it her mission to get every one of SVP's 43 shops scanning regularly with Sell Your Books Pro, creating a reliable new revenue stream alongside in-shop sales.
Now, scanning pre-loved books is part of the weekly routine. Volunteers — from work experience students to loyal regulars in their 80s — pick up a scanner and get to work, watching the revenue roll in real time.
"They will often shout out to the shop manager: 'I've made £30 ($40) on that basket!' Some of them give themselves little targets — 'I'm not going home until I've hit £40 ($50).'"
Ann Schuster
Regional Retail Manager
Inclusive by design
One of the unexpected wins? How well scanning works for volunteers who can't take on a physical or customer-facing role. One volunteer — recovering from long COVID — told a World of Books team member that scanning gave him a way to feel useful and contribute meaningfully, on his own terms.
"It means we can be even more inclusive when we're taking on new volunteers, and if somebody becomes less physically able when they're already with us, it's another job they can literally do just sitting down," says Ann.
From teenagers who love the tech side, to book-lovers who simply enjoy handling the stock — scanning is simple and anyone can give it a try.
£86,000 ($109,000) and counting
Since partnering with World of Books, SVP has raised over £86,000 ($109,000) from their pre-loved books. That's more than numbers on a spreadsheet.
SVP provides over 80,000 meals through their centers, makes more than 300,000 visits and calls to people in need, and runs 10 summer camps each year for children facing tough times at home. Every basket scanned and submitted helps make that possible.
Ready to give your books a second life and raise money for your cause?
Whether you're a thrift store, charity shop or non-profit, Sell Your Books Pro makes it simple to turn donated books into real revenue.