'clothing has become so cheap and plentiful (partly because of textile imports, which Mr. Edwards has proposed to limit) that there is a glut of second-hand clothing, and consequently most clothing donated to charity is shipped abroad. The second-hand children's coats that remain in America typically sell for about $5 in thrift shops.' "
Guess what? Charities won't even take it to be donated overseas, either, given a choice.
After Hurricane Isabel, they absolutely refused to take used clothing, but after the earthquake in Iran, they were saying they didn't want used clothing for that, either.
I think it has to do with the way the shipping industry is set up anymore. They prefer money which can be transported electronically and buy things locally - or they can buy items in bulk - or they will give you a list of things that are appropriate that they need, and ask you to buy them yourself and donate that, new.
My experiences might just have to do with this area - the first winter after we moved here, 1988, I wanted to donate Ben and Nick's baby clothes that they had outgrown and tried to give them to a shelter in NoVa - like a battered women's shelter or a homeless shelter - they did not need them, even though they were almost new, expensive and adorable. I did persuade a lady at a shelter in DC to take them, which turned out to be a 40 mile round trip for me, by emphasizing "almost new, expensive, adorable - OshKosh jeans and overalls, stuff like that."
I still donate clothes and other items to Salvation Army but I honestly think they sell them for scrap. |
