Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

[ezmobee]

I don't know about where you guys live but in my area (and in the area where I work) these clothes donation boxes are springing up all over the place like weeds. It started out in front of the Salvation Army thrift store. No mystery there. Then there were a number of SA boxes in different locations around town. Again, no mystery. Now, it seems like in just about every large parking lot (and even some little ones with little traffic) there's like 2-5 of these things! They have names on them like "World Aid" or something like that. Couple of different varieties. What's up with these things? Surely they aren't all charities. Something seems fishy.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Probably for Japan. They are in pretty bad shape due to the earth quake.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

I'm told that some of those donated clothes go to clothing stores that sell second hand clothes. There are a few national second hand clothes store chains out there now and they need LOTS of second hand clothes in order to stay in business. Here's one of those store chains: www.savers.com

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Probably for Japan. They are in pretty bad shape due to the earth quake.

Been around long before that.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Most are privately owned. The best stuff gets sold off cheap to second hand/vintage clothing stores, the moderate stuff goes to thrift stores, and the worst gets donated to the needy.

Obviously, the ones labeled Salvation Army are owned by them and the clothing gets used (mostly) by them. Others are in it for profit. It's a business, like everything else.

 

[Bluepike]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

I was watching a show on TV where they showed those boxes as being the first part in a chain of events.

Clothes are collected in the boxes, brought to a warehouse, segregated and sold. Then a lot of the clothes get shipped to India and other third world countries and sold again to street venders. The street venders buy them by the bagfull like a grab bag, then sell them at their stands.

I'm sure that some end up going to charity though.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Did they say Planet Aid? http://www.planetaid.org/ Very common.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Found out some info http://www.moneyunder30.com/donating-clothing-beware-for-profit-drop-boxes I guess they are a little scammy. They sell the stuff an a PORTION of the profits goes to some cause. I also read that they have become such a scourge that some towns have taken action to remove them as many have just become dumping sites.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Interesting. About 35 or 40 years ago both Salvation army and Goodwill had those boxes here and there around town and finally got rid of them precisely because they were getting so much garbage.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Well the wife works for the Woman's Shelter here in town where items are donated and given away free of charge to those who need. The Salvation Army is "selective" on what they take in donation such as clothing etc and turns around to sell those items. I guess my point is this..... there are MANY places to take clothing and any item donation sadly those boxes are a bit of a scam and idiots do dump trash in them.

When I donate ..... I tend to treat donations the same way I shop........ I do the "local" thing first before I go elsewhere ...... the Womans Shelter and the Mission get my donations first.

 

[Chris-R]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Well the wife works for the Woman's Shelter here in town where items are donated and given away free of charge to those who need. The Salvation Army is "selective" on what they take in donation such as clothing etc and turns around to sell those items. I guess my point is this..... there are MANY places to take clothing and any item donation sadly those boxes are a bit of a scam and idiots do dump trash in them.

When I donate ..... I tend to treat donations the same way I shop........ I do the "local" thing first before I go elsewhere ...... the Womans Shelter and the Mission get my donations first.

Great Idea Bob.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

We have had them for years. Around my area they go to the Salvation Army which in turn hands them out to those of need in the state and there are Salvation Army stores around the state also where they give handicap people jobs. Goes for a good cause here.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Anybody know what's up with these clothes donation boxes all over the place?

Wal-Mart is venturing into the used clothing business, those drop boxes are part of their supply chain.