Salvation Army thrift shops in Hawaii have been busy places lately.

“;We have seen more traffic than ever before,”; said Rafael Escalera, the nonprofit group's business administrator. “;People are trying to economize. They're trying to be more responsible with their budget.”;

The number of shoppers at the Salvation Army's four thrift stores on Oahu has risen 30 percent in the past three months, leaving the group “;in dire need of more donations from the public,”; said Daniel de Castro, spokesman of the Salvation Army.

Starting tomorrow, the organization will accept donations at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet every Sunday. The swap meet offers a convenient place to drop off items, Salvation Army officials said.

Escalera said the group has noticed more shoppers from different demographic groups frequenting the thrift stores.

Alewa Heights resident Precious Toledo said she spends more time these days shopping at thrift stores than at department stores because of the lagging economy.

“;I hardly go to Macy's,”; said Toledo as she sifted through the racks of blouses at the Salvation Army's Iwilei store.

But while shoppers have increased, donations of certain items like appliances and furniture have dropped, Escalera said. “;We used to have a lot more donations of good furniture and appliances.”;

Swap meet manager Roseann Chang said she hopes the partnership with the Salvation Army will help draw more people to the stadium on Sundays as attendance has dropped 10 percent in recent months.

The sluggish tourism industry is one of the factors attributed to the decrease.

“;Tourists aren't coming as much as they used to,”; Chang said. For those traveling to the islands, they are not buying as much as they want to avoid paying a fee for an extra bag, she said. “;Hopefully we'll be able to bring out local traffic.”;

With the convenience of a nearby donation truck, vendors have the option of donating unsold items to the organization.