Best place to donate clothing?

[Sunny]

We have several bins in my local area, plus Goodwill, thrift shops, churches that accept donations, and special drives that come up. I have no idea what is the best place to bring used (but still usable) clothing. Is there any way to determine which one gives the clothing to those who are most in need?

That is not always so easy to determine. I just read that although the people whose belongings were destroyed by the floods in Kentucky need cash, food, and medical help, we are asked not to donate clothing, as there is no place to store it.

I also wonder if used clothing is even needed. What do the stores do with last season's, or last year's clothing that didn't sell? I hope they donate it, maybe to poverty-stricken countries. But I really don't know.

 

[Don M.]

My wife is a "clothesaholic", and every couple of years she goes through her closets and we take the excess to the Salvation Army.

 

[Pinky]

We used to drop off my used clothing at a women's shelter. Otherwise, we drop off clothes to Value Village, Goodwill, Salvation Army or other similar places.

 

[Chet]

The usual places were mentioned but what about a Ukraine charity?

 

[oldaunt]

Our local food pantry accepts clothing, and gives it out free, unlike Goodwill, which overcharges for it.

 

[Jules]

You have to ask each charity if they donate directly to the needy. Value Village is a FOR profit business that donates X amount of money to charities. Salvation Army sells the items - I learned that after taking in a large amount blankets in winter for the homeless. Some may give directly. They have various levels of Sally Anns, so your quality items may get shipped off to a fancier store.

Definitely call and ask any place you’re thinking of donating. Some may not even take summer clothes right now.

 

[Aunt Bea]

In this area the Salvation Army sells clothing in their thrift shops, makes free clothing available to people referred by a variety of social service agencies, and hospitals for patients whose clothes were ruined in an accident, the emergency room, etc..

We also have local women’s shelters and homeless shelters that accept more upscale items specifically for job interviews and workwear.

I wouldn’t overthink it, getting the items out of your closet and into a conveniently located charity outlet will be a win win.

 

[hollydolly]

We have several bins in my local area, plus Goodwill, thrift shops, churches that accept donations, and special drives that come up. I have no idea what is the best place to bring used (but still usable) clothing. Is there any way to determine which one gives the clothing to those who are most in need?

That is not always so easy to determine. I just read that although the people whose belongings were destroyed by the floods in Kentucky need cash, food, and medical help, we are asked not to donate clothing, as there is no place to store it.

I also wonder if used clothing is even needed. What do the stores do with last season's, or last year's clothing that didn't sell? I hope they donate it, maybe to poverty-stricken countries. But I really don't know.

They do here... anything that isn't sold .. is passed onto 3rd world countries.. .. anything that's beyond condition for sale ( clothing) is sent to mills to be broken down cleaned, shredded, and reused as fillings for all sorts of things like car seats..

here in the Uk donations that include clothing and household items will more often go to a Charity which supports critical illnesses.. like Cancer Research, British Heart Foundation.. Isabel Hospice and similar ... or to the Salvation army.. or any number of smaller charities..