Charities: Please No More Junk

[buttrfli]

Tulsa - In these tough economic times, local charities are more desperate than ever. But, they have a simple request -- no more junk.


If you walk into a Goodwill store, you might be surprised. The sweaters don't have holes in them and the shirts all have buttons. And, that is the quality they want to maintain.

Nadine Eastman shops thrift stores for basics.

"I never buy new things," she says. "Even shoes. Can't afford them."

At Goodwill, she buys used things. And, that money goes to their job training programs. But, Nadine also donates clothes when she can.

"I only give stuff I like. If I don't like it, it goes into the trash."

Goodwill workers won't say it, but they don't want trash. And, charities have reported they want nice things for everyone, including the needy and even homeless.

"Everyone wants nice things and they want to be proud of how they look," says Nancy Webster with Goodwill. "And, they don't want stains or holes or things that are torn."

They just ask that you donate items that you would give to a friend. And, you may want to grab a needle and thread.

"We don't do any repairs, so they need to have all buttons and zippers repaired to be store quality."

They don't take mattresses and then sell them in the store. With stains, who would want them? Still, they take your donation and give you a tax deduction in exchange.

"Regardless of how much money they have, they still want nice things."

And, Nadine just may find the perfect outfit.

Your donations are like a treasure at Goodwill and they have someone to accept your items 24 hours a day. They'll take almost anything you bring them. Items they can't sell go to other organizations. Some of it is also recycled.

http://www.ktul.com/news/stories/1208/575232.html

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What ever happened to one mans trash, another mans treasure?? I Can understand not giving things that can't be fixed, but not wanting a shirt because its missing a button is crazy.

I get some of my best deals on clothes with seam rips and missing buttons. :D

[galeane29]

I've always been amazed at the TRASH left when I go to donate.

[IthinkNOT!]

It seems to me if they really wanted to look nice they wouldn't mind sewing a button on. They are just getting entirely too picky. I can understand the stain thing. But simple sewing repairs? Come on now. If someone really likes something then they wont mind fixing small things.

[JKATHERINE]

I don't know how it is at anyone else's Goodwill, but at the two near me there seems to be more and more brand new merchandise and less and less used items. I think it's great that companies donate their overstocks or whatever to Goodwill so that they can sell it and make money for their programs, HOWEVER, the prices that Goodwill sets are often much higher than anyone I know would be willing to pay in a THRIFT store. We're there to SAVE money!

I donate to Goodwill on a pretty regular basis. I never give them anything that's ripped or stained, but I may have donated a thing or two without a button here or there. I have also purchased items without buttons there and been happy to spend the five minutes it takes to repair the item that I bought so cheaply.

[meltodd69]

You would think they would complain about people donating used underwear LOL. That is one item I refuse to buy used YUCK!
Our Goodwill is way over priced! Heck I can find better deals at regular stores.
When my brother was here visiting he had a very nice leather coat. He bought it at the pawn shop for $5!! Now that's a good price!

[atprm]

playing the devil's advocate --

I am thinking there are a few reasons for them not wanting trash.

1) they have to set a standard because what is sometimes one man's trash, is simply that --TRASH. (having volunteered, people have literally brought in black bags of "clothes" -- but when you open the bags, it's maggot filled bags of food, dirty diapers, and clothing.)

2) they probably look at it from the standpoint of a) we are not a landfill b) the health of our employees is important and c) most of the clientele that shop at resale charities aren't bargain hunting, they are in desperate straits.


we had one lady drop off 4 big black bags one day while I was working (volunteering) -- she was driving a black beemer ...

inside several bags were clothes that looked like they were used to soak up car oil, clothing that had been PUKED ON -- and yes the vomit was still in the bag!!

It's gross what people will do to charities -- and it crosses all monetary lines!

[Anniston]

atprm, you make a good point. Plus, they get enough items that are so outdated that they will unlikely be purchased. To add torn, button-less items to that would be counter-productive.

I don't give anything to Goodwill. There are two other local non-profits that I donate to that resell in the same manner.

Goodwill is not well priced here. And they don't have a nice selection.

[atprm]

I too, do not give or shop at goodwill.

we have Value Village (it's a chain here, but all used items) where the $ made goes to the disabled vets...

and we have St Vincent DePaul (Catholic Social Services) -- which is where I volunteered.

[Jolie Rouge]

I volenteer at two different "thift store" charities ... and you would be amazed at what some people "donate". Broken toys, shredded clothes, dirty laundry, and my favorite ... mismatched shoes. If you can't find the mate at your house what am I supposed to do with it ?

What is REALLY appalling is the items given to "Angel Projects" to be used as CHristmas gifts for the less fortunate ... hint ... if you would not want it given to your child... don't "gift" it to someone else.

[DAVESBABYDOLL]

When I went to Dayton to visit,we went to Goodwill and my God..just gross! They had these big blue wheeled carts in the center and people were like waiting for them as they wheeled them out...PURE SCHIT. I'm talking anything and everything was in them carts,like they just unloaded SITE UNSEEN what was in donated bags into the carts. DIRTY,DIRTY PLACE.

Now,the one on the other side of Dayton,near Fairfield Commo Mall was really nice and clean.

[krisharry]

I stopped donating stuff to my local Good Will because they have become a royal PITA. They had been having probs w/ people leaving garbage after hours and it costing them too much to get rid of so I undderstand their concern but they have gone overboard. Last few times I went to drop off, I had to wait in line for 20 mins or more and then had to sort all my stuff myself. Now I drop it at the Salvation Army dropoff center instead. And all my stuff was good, clothes-I always freshly wash, no holes, tears, rips, stains, etc. Just basically stuff my littlest outgrew or clothes I decided I didn't want anymore.

[SHELBYDOG]

I don't like the smell inside thrift & consignment shops, Goodwill, ect. so I can't stand in there long enough to shop. I hit about 4 yard sales today & at my last one I had a couple of kitchen items in hand & when I headed towards the lady who was on her prch to pay, the smell coming out of her house forced me to put the items back.
YUCKO!