Clothing Drive Not An Invitation to Give Trash
By Loretta
@noni1959 (9886)
United States
August 16, 2022 3:51pm CST
My church is having a school clothing and supply drive and I've had people give me bags of clothing to donate.
A coordinator I dropped some off to said one bag smelled bad of dog, musty and smoke so she had to wash them three times. She had to toss ripped and stained items.
I'm glad I went through the latest bag before donating because there was soiled and smelly clothes in there. I wound up tossing more then half into the garbage.
One box of supplies had broken crayons, wrote on books and torn up flash cards. Those should have been tossed.
A lady messaged me earlier and said she had supply stuff from her kids to donate. I asked if they were unused and she said (very snarky), those in need can't be picky. I told her actually they can and deserve new or gently used items just like anyone. She did an annoyance sound. I refused to pick up.
She called someone else there and said I was refusing to pick up needed items. I got a call and I explained why. They called her back and said thank you but no thank you.
I don't understand why people will do this and not just toss themselves.
I wish I had the money to buy a bunch of clothing to help. Children in need don't deserve torn dirty items just because they are having difficulties with finances.
Do you have children heading back to school?
15 people like this
14 responses
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
16 Aug 22
You have a kind heart. God bless you.
4 people like this
@kaylachan (57616)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Aug 22
I think it's laziness. If it can't be used, it's going to be tossed. I always check the clothes I donate before doing so.
2 people like this
@kaylachan (57616)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Aug 22
@noni1959 Yep. Some people wait until they have no choice, and decide to make it someone else's problem.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (9886)
• United States
16 Aug 22
@kaylachan You think they would be embarrassed. The part that gets me are the ones that think poor should take what they get and not complain.
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
17 Aug 22
Giving items for donation does not mean letting someone else take care of their garbage. These children in need deserve dignity . . . if dirty, ripped up, raggedy items are not acceptable for your own child to wear - then don't give such insulting donations.
2 people like this
@much2say (53959)
• Los Angeles, California
19 Aug 22
@noni1959 I don't blame you. Now I understand why many places now actually have to spell out "gently used and clean items" for donations. It's not common sense for some . . . they think the recipients will appreciate anything but come on, let's be kinder and more generous than that way of thinking. Ugh - those animals smells sometimes take multiple washings.
@noni1959 (9886)
• United States
17 Aug 22
It's so awful the way some will give trash. I'm weary about picking up any more. After I wrote this, I had another bag given. It stinks so bad of dirty dog. It makes me think does the animals sleep on their clothing. I have the load washing now for the second time.
2 people like this
@noni1959 (9886)
• United States
18 Aug 22
I agree. My younger granddaughters are giving some of their own clothing and excited to be helping. A lady asked me to drop by on my way home today and she gave me a bag of lovely girls and boys clothing. I dropped it all off at the church. I know there will some really nice outfits for both boys and girls. That has taken away some anxiety.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94484)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
16 Aug 22
I am one nephew going to high school starting this week. It is a shame that some people abuse the rules of donating items to a church that belongs to a trash can.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (94484)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
17 Aug 22
@noni1959 I know what you mean when you have to ask your clients tough questions. You hate to sound like a villain but it is necessary to follow that route due to a few bad apples.
1 person likes this
@noni1959 (9886)
• United States
18 Aug 22
@Deepizzaguy I stopped at a house on the way home today and got a bag that had nice things. It was a nice relief to drop them off at the church in like new condition.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86757)
• United States
17 Aug 22
That is very sad that people would dump their trash in a donation place.
I have no small children no Loretta
1 person likes this
@jstory07 (134422)
• Roseburg, Oregon
17 Aug 22
I remember my youngest son when he was in second grade told me a girl in his class had no coat. He asked if I would buy her a coat. He would give me all the money in his piggy bank. The next day after school I went and talked to the teacher and she told me the size the girl would need. We went shopping and bough her a nice coat and some other clothes and I told the Teacher not to tell her where the clothes came from.
I heard the mother was in tears when her child came out with new clothes. She had loss her job and needed the help. Her child deserved to look nice to.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73408)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
16 Aug 22
I have no children but I agree with you if the clothing and stuff donated can still be used that is great but if it is dirty, torn or soiled it should just be thrown out,
1 person likes this
@just4him (306079)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
18 Aug 22
It's sad what people will donate. A pastor I had a while ago said, If you wouldn't give it to Jesus, don't give it to anyone else.
@HomewardBound (551)
•
8 Oct 22
Years ago, our church had a clothing bank for awhile and we ran into the same thing. It was like some people used us as a dump. Thank you for treating people in need with respect, that means a lot.
