Clothing donations

[triplep]

Just thought I would ask here, did a search, doesn't seem to be any thread started about clothing donations.

My wife has a ton of clothing she would like to donate, she wanted to donate it to the women's shelter, but unfortunately they only take new clothing. Also a lot of places she called will only take new clothing. I was wondering if anyone knows if there is a charity that will take used clothing (most of it is in great condition, but she just doesn't wear it anymore). Also, she would prefer to donate to a place that does not put the clothing up for resale, but it would go straight to the person in need.

Thanks

[bleu]

I always donate to Goodwill. They have the bins for gently used, clean clothing around the city.

[lint]

goodwill

[triplep]

Does goodwill take the clothes and resell them?

[davidI]

Originally posted by triplep
Does goodwill take the clothes and resell them?

Most organizations sell by the tonne. I was pretty disappointed when I learned how it all worked in Africa. White Brokers tend to make a decent profit as they sell down to the street merchants. By the time your free donated shirt is in Africa, it's probably being sold for $3-10.

[streetdreams]

every year we take a load down to the musterd seed downtown, they are always happy to recive it.

[G-ZUS]

Diabetes Association? takes them they come and pick them up from your house too

[mo_money2supe]

Centre Street Church takes used clothing and freely distributes them to those in need.

[RNB11]

Post it for free on kijiji, im sure someone will be happy to receive it there!

[403Gemini]

Originally posted by RNB11
Post it for free on kijiji, im sure someone will be happy to receive it there!

They'll ask you to pay for their gas money to come pick it up though

[ExtraSlow]

You can donate to goodwill, and they do sell it in thier stores. The profits from that go to help their charity, nobody is getting rich off it.

Same with Salvation Army, MCC, WINS and others. I'm pretty sure the Diabetes people sell it to Value Village.

Warm winter clothing is always appreciated at the mustard seed or the drop in centre. They give it to thier clients.

[codetrap]

.

[woodywoodford]

I always take mine to MCC, I'm pretty familiar with the charity's work just from being raised in one of their associated church's so they're my charity of choice.

[black_2.5RS]

If it's more work related stuff, our office really supports the "walk-in closet" located near Chinook station. They're a non-profit that provides work appropriate clothing to lower income women to help them get jobs and ultimately back on their feet. They accept:

Women’s business and business casual clothing (e.g. suits, skirts, pants, blouses, jackets, dresses etc.)
Shoes, dress boots
Handbags, portfolios, jewelry, belts
Coats, scarves and gloves
New and gently used bras
New undergarments
New hosiery (knee highs, trouser socks, pantyhose, tights)
New cosmetics, skin care and personal care products

[quick_scar]

Like Codetrap said. Women in need.

[redline]

Originally posted by quick_scar
Like Codetrap said. Women in need.

+ 2

[davidm_86]

I just find those clothing donation bins. There is one behind the Sobey's in Bridlewood. There used to be one by the Rona on MacLeod, but they've all been replaced by recycling bins.

[tenth]

Originally posted by davidm_86
I just find those clothing donation bins. There is one behind the Sobey's in Bridlewood. There used to be one by the Rona on MacLeod, but they've all been replaced by recycling bins.
Found that one this week. It's Cerebral Palsy Association I guess. Here are their bin locations:
https://maps.google.ca/maps/ms?msid=204651300672302508465.0004be835291808ccdfce&msa=0

[thrasher22]

Originally posted by davidI


Most organizations sell by the tonne. I was pretty disappointed when I learned how it all worked in Africa. White Brokers tend to make a decent profit as they sell down to the street merchants. By the time your free donated shirt is in Africa, it's probably being sold for $3-10.

Who cares if Goodwill sells the clothes? The only reason the majority of these organizations want clothing donations is to sell them to raise money. The less fortunate don't need our designer jeans, they need well funded charities. It's a win-win!

If it makes you feel better, the quality of new clothes sold in Africa is abysmal, so in the end this still helps the poorest of the poor get higher quality clothes.
They're just in giant piles at open air markets and usually sold for <$1 anyways.

But back on topic, there is (or was last year) a Goodwill donation bin beside Parkdale Auto on Memorial drive. That's usually where I drop all of mine off.

[heavyfuel]

The Drop In Centre or The Mustard Seed take any clothes, any time. You can go to the Drop In pretty much 24 hrs a day to drop stuff off.

[davidI]

Originally posted by thrasher22


Who cares if Goodwill sells the clothes? The only reason the majority of these organizations want clothing donations is to sell them to raise money. The less fortunate don't need our designer jeans, they need well funded charities. It's a win-win!

If it makes you feel better, the quality of new clothes sold in Africa is abysmal, so in the end this still helps the poorest of the poor get higher quality clothes.
They're just in giant piles at open air markets and usually sold for &lt;$1 anyways.

But back on topic, there is (or was last year) a Goodwill donation bin beside Parkdale Auto on Memorial drive. That's usually where I drop all of mine off.

1. Most people are not aware the clothes are sold.

2. Charities make very little profit off this. I know a South Africa guy who used to be a broker for this stuff (wealthy white South African). The business oriented middle-men make the big profits, not the charities and not the street vendors.

3. Besides all that, cheap / free clothing hurts the African textile industry. How is the African textile industry ever going to be able to grow and compete with clothes available for less than cost?

[lilgoodie2shoes]

I donate to the Alberta Association for Community Living. They have drivers who are willing to pick up the donations. I'm not sure if they go directly to people in need though. I'm sure you can call and ask. http://www.aacl.org/get-involved/donations-of-clothing-and-household-goods/

[thrasher22]

Originally posted by davidI


1. Most people are not aware the clothes are sold.

2. Charities make very little profit off this. I know a South Africa guy who used to be a broker for this stuff (wealthy white South African). The business oriented middle-men make the big profits, not the charities and not the street vendors.

3. Besides all that, cheap / free clothing hurts the African textile industry. How is the African textile industry ever going to be able to grow and compete with clothes available for less than cost?

1. True, that is a very valid point of concern.

2. I meant moreso selling at Goodwill stores in Canada in this regard. I don't know the actual dynamics of how it works going overseas, and shouldn't have assumed.

3. I got the impression most comes from Asia, but I think its less of a competition issue, more of a "what people can actually afford" issue. You can make as many $2 pairs of jeans as you want, but if people only have $1...

[Billy_Billions]

Originally posted by heavyfuel
The Drop In Centre or The Mustard Seed take any clothes, any time. You can go to the Drop In pretty much 24 hrs a day to drop stuff off.


Just did this a few weeks ago. Goes straight to the source. Very grateful for the donations.

[nonofyobiz]

Have you call Brenda's House? Its transitional housing for women and families.

[davidI]

Originally posted by thrasher22

3. I got the impression most comes from Asia, but I think its less of a competition issue, more of a &quot;what people can actually afford&quot; issue. You can make as many $2 pairs of jeans as you want, but if people only have $1...

Yes, clothing comes from Asia. I'm not aware of any charitable donation clothes going to Asia (at least not developing Asia where they have a textile industry...maybe Burma??). My point is that if free clothing is sent to Africa then there is no incentive (i.e. money) for a textile industry to develop. That hurts the farmers, seamstresses, designers etc.

I have no problem with donations being given out in North America though, since free stuff will not be putting farmers and businesses out of work.

I'm just saying, giving away free clothes can do more harm than good. It's worth looking into what actually happens with your donation before blindly dropping them into a bin somewhere.