What happens to charity (Goodwill / Savers / Salvation Army) donations that aren't nice enough to sell?

Question

What is a good place to donate old items that may not be good enough for resale but are certainly good enough for people who are in need?
For instance, I have a pair of black sneakers that my cat put teeth marks into, which I don't think anyone would pay for. But I see homeless people who wear newspaper on their feet, and cover up in cardboard boxes. A sweater with a bleach stain isn't pretty, but it's warmer than cardboard, and you wouldn't wear my cat-teeth marked shoes to work, but they've got to be better than newspaper.
So how can I get my old clothes to people who would get use out of them? I've been told that clothes that aren't good enough for resale get thrown away if you give them to Goodwill, Savers, etc.
Is there anybody anywhere that wants this kind of stuff, or should I really just throw it away?

Sorry to be so long-winded. Just looking for advice.

Thanks,

Martine

Answer 1

most goodwills recycle shoes and clothing that isn't good to sell in the stores. clothing gets baled into 1000 pound bales, shoes are paired up and collected in huge boxes (gaylords) and the stuff is sold to recyclers. some of the shoes and clothing does make it's way from the recycler to poor countries where clothing and shoes are scarce. household items that aren't in sellable condition are disposed of. people "donate" trash and broken useless stuff in huge quantities- you would actually be disgusted to see some of what gets donated. most goodwills do offer voucher programs for people in need of clothing and household goods. some goodwills also recycle used computers. sometimes a woman's shelter or homeless shelter will take clothing that is less than perfect to help a family in need through a crisis, but in general most places like goodwill, salvation army and such look at an item much as you would... if you would be embarrassed to wear the item they aren't going to sell it or give it to someone else. at goodwill, income produced by the sale of all merchandise, in the stores or through salvage and recycling, goes to provide a multitude of services to disabled, disadvantaged, low income and homeless individuals and families.

Answer 2

Savers Goodwill

Answer 3

Contact a homeless shelter.

If you donate your items and the place decides they are not going to be able to sell them, they usually recycle what can be recycled. I know that many of them recycle or resell old clothes that don't make it onto the shelves- and only about 10% makes it onto the shelf.

But that's okay- the charity still makes a profit no matter how they use your stuff, and if you don't need it isn't that better than keeping all that old stuff in your house?

Answer 4

There are some homeless shelters that do take used items: even if they have a stain on them. You just have to ask.
But, the sad fact is:
Many places do throw away way too much.
What is one man's trash is another's treasure.
Yes, just give it to a homeless person.
O.
Please be respectful when doing this.
I have seen way too many people who give with a sense of superiority or pity.
Neither of these are productive feelings and might lead you to some wrong conclusions.
I am not saying that you are!
I am just saying that I have seen many people "give" and "take" someone's dignity in the process.

Answer 5

The Salvation Army is a church with a mission. The donations in the red kettle go to social service missions and youth programs. The daily operations of their churches are covered by tithes paid for by their members like all churches. Also, Salvationist are not paid to sing in church, play their instruments or other things like other churches pay for. They don't pay choir leaders or most lay people.

Answer 6

Your best bet would be a homeless shelter or a church that provides services to the homeless.

Your other option is to actually offer them to someone you see who is homeless. Near one of the shelters I used to work at there was this huge empty lot and the homeless folks found chairs and mattresses and used tarps for roofs - so when I had a loveseat that was cat scratched - I took it down there and left it for them, they were happy to use it.

Answer 7

If you see people in need, just give them what you have. They will appreciate it, and you will feel better because you will "know who" got it.
That is my answer from Washington, D.C.

Answer 8

it depends...