Donating Clothes (Gaston, Cleveland: appliances, house, YMCA)

[Chorin]

Where are the locations where I can donate some clothes, mainly kids and early teens? I would prefer places that don't resell the clothes (like goodwill), but rather give to needy families who need them. Thanks!

[Sylbeth]

You may want to listen to John Hancock on WBT-AM Radio...between 6-9 this Friday evening....I believe they are looking for just about anything that has to do with children. They will be collecting bikes, coats, toys...and etc..for their Kids First program. Go on their website...to his page, and it will explain some of the things I can't remember right now.
Perhaps the womens shelter would appreciate the donations, as there are children there......and also Crisis Ministries.

[mullman]

Many churches in town run a 'clothes closet' where they donate to local families in need.

[NCgirl]

Crisis Assistance Ministry has a Free Store that gives away clothing and other items.

The Crisis Assistance Ministry Free Store is the result of thousands of volunteers donating time and materials to make clothing, housewares, furniture and appliances available at no charge. Having a free, community store enables families to use their limited resources on other basic necessities, such as housing and utility payments. This volunteer-based service is dependent on community partners, offering many wonderful volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups.

500-A Spratt Street Directions

[Keith Roe]

Goodwill has more than 30 donation sites conveniently located throughout Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln and Union Counties in North Carolina; and Lancaster and York Counties in South Carolina. The closest one to my house is:

9121 Bryant Farms Road
(Ballantyne Area near Hawk Ridge Elementary School)
Hours of Operation: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Mon - Sat)
Noon - 7:00 pm (Sunday)
Near the YMCA.

[CharlotteGal]

Originally Posted by Chorin

Where are the locations where I can donate some clothes, mainly kids and early teens? I would prefer places that don't resell the clothes (like goodwill), but rather give to needy families who need them. Thanks!

The thing with donating them to Goodwill or the Salvation Army is that the funds they make from selling the donations go to help people in need, and they donate clothing to families that need them. It doesn't seem as direct as Crisis Assistance, but I wonder if it has more of an impact?

I'm not saying that one is better than the other, certainly, people need good clothes! Just that I think you can't go wrong with proven, established charities.

I do remember hearing that some of those boxes for clothing donations that are NOT Goodwill were profiting from sales, and very little of their profit was going to help people, but Goodwill has a proven track record.

Plus, I love going to Goodwill or Salvation Army and finding good clothes for my boys at a very good price! That helps people, too!

[NCgirl]

Chorin is looking to truly donate the clothes.

Originally Posted by Chorin

Where are the locations where I can donate some clothes, mainly kids and early teens? I would prefer places that don't resell the clothes (like goodwill), but rather give to needy families who need them. Thanks!

ETA: Goodwill is great! The funds go to support job training and placement. They don't give to directly families. While I think Godwill has great programs IMO the fastest impact for families is a direct donation. Especially this time of year. Families may not have winter clothing or other things.

[Tober138]

Does anyone know if the Goodwill locations have specific hours for donations, or do they accept them at all hours during which they are open? We have one up the street and we have a fair amount of old clothes we need to drop off. I ask because the one near my old office in MD only took donations on certain days.

[NCgirl]

As far as I know they take donations anytime the store is open.

How To Donate To Goodwill (http://www.goodwillsp.org/donate.html - broken link)

[Keith Roe]

True. The store.