Community Chat

[cherry]

These places do a lot of good. I volunteered at a Thrift Store for years ,and was on the Board of Directors, and also the Bldg Chair

Please don't feel things aren't used. We only threw out junk.  We fed families ,and paid medical bills, rent, and  helped with utilities, with the money we made

We dressed those in dire need, for free

We put thousands back into our local economy, each year

[Cakers3]

I'm not condoning tossing donations out and perhaps this is just one odd incident.  I don't know why it happened nor do I know why the woman didn't speak up.

We now divide the clothing and donate to several places depending upon need.

Women's shelters will receive some especially when there is a drive for work clothes for job searches.

We have a refugee shelter in a local church and a recognized shelter for homeless LGBT teens, and those shelters will receive t-shirts, jeans, casual style items.

People need to remember that Goodwill sells the clothing; refugees, homeless teens, displaced abused women have limited if no buying power.

Our supplies have dwindled to almost nothing now but when the time comes for those in need to be able to have a place to live we still have dishes and such we can donate.

It takes a little extra time but at least we can see those who need help; it makes a world of difference when you can put a face to a donation.  And believe me, those faces are not one big blur; they stand out as individuals when you get to spend a bit of time with them.

[Trinity11]

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@cherry wrote:

These places do a lot of good. I volunteered at a Thrift Store for years ,and was on the Board of Directors, and also the Bldg Chair

Please don't feel things aren't used. We only threw out junk.  We fed families ,and paid medical bills, rent, and  helped with utilities, with the money we made

We dressed those in dire need, for free

We put thousands back into our local economy, each year

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@cherryI think you are going to have a very special place in heaven for all that you have done over the years to help those less fortunate. Beautiful post and I enjoyed reading it.

[cherry]

@Trinity11  I am just one of many ladies that did this. People are really good about pitching in to help those in need

I enjoyed doing it. I had fun ,and I felt I really made a difference, for many people. Thank you for your kind words

[ms traditional]

important to know that Goodwill gives jobs to those needed to sort donations, staff stores.  important to know not all donations are resale material. and also important to know that many Goodwill donation centers have stores nearby or on site where they translate your donations into cash through resale, $ to be used for good causes.

[ms traditional]

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@ALRATIBA wrote:

@wishmoon 

Yes, both Goodwill and Salvation Army sells stuff.  That's why they have stores ... they sell donations and use the money to provide jobs for handcapped and for other charity needs.  The shoes and clothing are sold at low prices so the less fortunate can purchase some fairly decent things to wear.  

Goodwill is a fantastic source for out-of-print books.  I've purchased quite a few from them.   I found some fantastic table lamps at a thrift shop ... can't recall which one.

A few blocks from me you'll find a Goodwill store, a Salvation Army store and a NYC Opera Thrift Store.  

Once items leave my possession either into the Goodwill bin or the Salvation Army truck ... it's no longer my concern.

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@wishmoon wrote:

I'm pretty sure Goodwill sells items given to them. I've seen ppl on eBay talking about the "finds" they get at Goodwill. I don't think the Salvation Army does, at least around here. I donate only good clothing, some in their original bags if they don't fit or I don't like. Once it's out of your hands, you may as well forget it, ppl will probably not donate them to victims of fire, theft or poverty, instead, they'll most likely be sold and the money will go into someone's pocket. I think that so I'm not surprised or concerned. Lots of times even organizations that started out with something good in mind are corrupt.

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@ALRATIBA   i look for Goodwill listings at Amazon for used books.  i have found many wonderful out of print treasures -  and had the bonus of helping people too.  Win-Win.

[SeaMaiden]

I was at my local Good Will store a few weeks ago.... I heard dishes breaking... glasswear etc.... and down an isle there was an employee PURPOSELY breaking dishes and filling up a garbage container.  I found this rather odd... but I guess that if stuff that is donated does not sell and more  stuff  is coming in... what are you going to do with it?? 

[Luvitorleaveit1]

I would think those places like Goodwill would need relatively good condition items with the influx of people coming here some with just the clothes on their backs.

[KingstonsMom]

I've experienced this first-hand.

I stopped at my closest Goodwill to drop off a few bags of items (in great condition, some new with tags) and proceeded to leave the parking lot, when I realized that I forgot to leave 1 more bag of items.

I circled back around and pulled back up to Goodwill, just in time to see the attendee who took my bags of items and throw them in the dumpster.

So IMO, this event mentioned in the OP, was NOT an isolated event.

I now donate to the Salvation Army and Veteran's groups.

[SeaMaiden]

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@KingstonsMom wrote:

I've experienced this first-hand.

I stopped at my closest Goodwill to drop off a few bags of items (in great condition, some new with tags) and proceeded to leave the parking lot, when I realized that I forgot to leave 1 more bag of items.

I circled back around and pulled back up to Goodwill, just in time to see the attendee who took my bags of items and throw them in the dumpster.

So IMO, this event mentioned in the OP, was NOT an isolated event.

I now donate to the Salvation Army and Veteran's groups.

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@KingstonsMom   Once I donate... and take my tax writeoff... I could care less what they do with my donation.... throw it out  or whatever.