Before you donate clothes using one of those bins ... (2009, high school)

[Lusitan]

... read this article. Apparently, some (most?) of those donation bins do not belong to charities that give clothes to the needy, rather, they belong to for-profit corporations (with names that sound like charities) that sell the clothes and pocket the profits.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/ny...ref=new-jersey

I have used bins like this in the past, but never again.

[lplkemc]

We tend to either Freecycle clothes or donate the clothes to Bag 2 School. The school gets money for the clothes.

[joe moving]

Yes most of the time they are for profits...... If you just read the signs on the bins they usually tell the story.

[Lusitan]

Originally Posted by joe moving

Yes most of the time they are for profits...... If you just read the signs on the bins they usually tell the story.

I confess to not looking for the fine-print when I've gone to drop off clothes in one of these bins, however, according to the NY Times article I cited, it appears that most of the time the bins do not give the story (and in fact, deliberately seek to mislead people with names that sound like charities even when the company is not a charity):

"At the East Mill Shopping Center, there are 20 bins representing seven different organizations. Several belong to groups or charities that aren’t easily recognizable, like United Firm Hands to Helping Inc. or N.J. Clipper Corp. One box does not name any organization, but it does include the message: “Distributing resources for the greater good.” A call to the phone lumber listed on the N.J. Clipper Corp. box was not returned. A call to the number on the United Firm Hands to Helping box takes callers to a recorded message directing them to call a second number. The second number is a phone sex line."

I agree, these days FreeCycle is a good way to go.

[Gerania]

I noticed this a few years ago. There were a couple of "name brand" bins in the Wal-Mart parking lot, then they morphed into a long row. None of the names on the new boxes sounded familiar to me. I always chose the AmVets drop off; I knew that name. Sadly, all of the boxes are gone from that location, though now I donate to the semi annual veterans pick-up or drop off at the Salvation Army.

[DodgeViper01]

I assumed that this was true years ago. When I have clothes that I can no longer wear, I just give them to younger family members if they are not damaged. That way at least I know where they are going.

[onegreatnurse]

Yes, known that for years, I only put things in the Salvation Army bin. Or call Amvets for pick up.

[sligogirl]

OP
Our high school collects many items, including play-sets, car seats, pillows and such for Project Graduation.
If you wish, you may want to contact your local school system and enquire.

Regards
Sligo

[frankgn87]

lol. We put about 200 lbs of clothes in one a few months ago when we moved. We even put in my wifes old fox fur coat lol

[DowntownJerseyCity]

I used to drop off my clothes and other items to the Salvation Army until I tried donating a bedroom set. The man on the line asked how old the set was (6 piece, 15 years old, traditional cherry, flawless condition), and then told me it was too old and not worth the effort to come get it. I was really surprised! (have you seen some of the furniture in a Salvation Army store? Filthy, beaten up, and very old).

I put it on Craig's List and got 400 for it. Now? I sell all my old clothes on eBay and make some money clearing out shirts and pants that are too big on me. No more donations to the SA, just to the AmVets.