Charity bags for clothes and shoes

[dimity_blue]

I got yet another of those "donate your clothes to help out x charity!" bags through my door the other day. The charity is usually NSPCC, child cancer, or Make a Wish, or something along those lines.

I was curious, so I read the fine print at the bottom of the envelope. Have you ever read it?

The bags aren't collected by the charities themselves. Instead, they're collected by a company who (so far as I can work out) sell the clothes and shoes. But they promise to donate "at least £75 for every tonne of shoes or clothes collected".

A tonne = 2204 pounds.

I can't imagine how much profit that company makes.

Comments

[leesa_perrie]

Tip: If the charity bag says no to bric-a-brac, then it's most likely going to one of those companies. If it takes bric-a-brac, it's most likely going to a shop, as those companies have no use for that.

Most of my donations are not clothing, so I tend to have to go to a shop as it can be ages and ages before a bag that accepts bric-a-brac turns up. This means that donations pile up until I have time/energy to drive to a local-ish shop with it all.

This is not being helped by the mother-in-law, who is busy clearing stuff out atm, but can't get out now and so guess who it comes to? Yep, us. Still, I got rid of a bag load of things to my hairdresser, who was happy to take them!! :D

[dimity-blue.livejournal.com]

I'd noticed the 'no bric-a-brac' but hadn't realised actual charities do take bric-a-brac. I guess most of the bags I get are for those companies.

I'd rather donate straight to an actual charity or charity shop. That way, I know for sure it's reaching them.

It sounds like your mother-in-law is very successful at decluttering! :oD

[leesa_perrie]

Yeah, the bags from actual shops are rare these days. Which is a shame, as I've got plenty to put in them atm!!

Mum-in-law is being very successful with the decluttering! Trouble is, it comes from the 'less clutter for the kids to sort out when I die' frame of mind, which makes me feel a bit weird about it all. But I guess when you reach 85 (and will soon be 86), these thoughts come to you, even though you're perfectly well and doing good for your age.

My parents, however, have no signs of this mentality. Maybe because they're still in their seventies, but most likely because they love their stuff and us kids will just jolly well have to deal with it all when they're gone! :D :D