Category: Best charities to donate to

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Three Little Known But Important Facts About Clothing Donations

clothing donationDuring the winter holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in the spirit of generosity, kindness, and that general feel-good vibe. After all, it’s contagious, and the air seems to buzz with radiant, positive energy.

It’s during this chaotic time that organizations receive the most charitable donations out of any other time of the year. In preparation for large holiday feasts, events, and parties, and in order to restock food banks, it’s common for donors and volunteers to give non-perishable food items such as canned goods as charity donations during this time of year.

While all kind of donations are accepted — and needed — donating clothing to charity can be particularly beneficial, regardless of the time of year. With spring just around the corner, now is the perfect time to get a jump start on your spring cleaning while giving back to your community by cleaning out your closet.

Here are three of the top reasons why clothing donations are so important.

They fulfill a basic need
Food, shelter, and clothing are considered the three most basic things every human needs in order to live, making clothing donations of the utmost importance. While winter clothing is especially helpful during the colder months, you can donate all kinds and styles of clothing all year long. In fact, business casual and professional attire is always in high demand. Even if you’re short on time, donation pick up services allow you give back at a time that works best for you.

They’re good for you
While donating and volunteering helps those in need, did you know that it can also benefit your own physiology? According to a research study published in June 2014 by the Citizens Advice Bureau, three out of five participants said donating and volunteering helped them to feel less stressed. In addition, four out of five said donating and volunteering helped to improve their self confidence.

They’re good for the environment
Even though 99% of clothing that is thrown away could have been recycled, Americans discard an average of 68 pounds of clothing a year. By recycling or donating unused or unneeded clothing, you’re helping to reduce landfill waste, as well as pollution to the environment. For example, in 2006, a whopping 2.5 billion pounds of fabric were kept from the landfills by used-clothing purchases.

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Your Guide to Giving Household Donations to Charity

Clothes donations

By now, most people know that clothing donations are the greenest and most generous way to help their communities. Diverting clothing donations from the landfill to the closets of people in need helps eliminate around 12 million tons of waste each year and contributes to the 4.7 billion pounds of clothing donated annually. But in addition to receiving gently used clothing donations, charity organizations are also on the lookout for household items that can be reused or repurposed.

Which types of household donations can go to charity? Here are just a few items you may have that can go to a better home:

  • Furniture: When it comes to furnishing a home, many families are unable to afford the high costs of furniture today. Many Americans who are more well off find themselves spending more as the economy improves, and as a result, they’re ready to dump their old furniture. If you’ve recently bought new furniture, don’t put the old stuff out to the curb just yet. See if you can donate to a local organization in order to help furnish a home for a struggling family.

  • Appliances: Just as with household donations of furniture, the same goes for appliances. Many families want to replace the old, white appliances they bought years ago with stainless steel and other stylish designs. Additionally, many smaller items like microwaves, toasters, blenders, and coffee makers might also get thrown out for a kitchen makeover. Whether you’re ditching the big appliances or replacing smaller kitchen gadgets, see if you can give any items still in good working order to charity.

  • Electronics: Consumer electronics ranging from computers and cell phones to televisions and DVD players represent some of the most reusable items in the average home. But many people ditch the old models in favor of upgrading to the latest and greatest technology. This creates unnecessary electronic waste throughout the world, which leads to dangerous levels of pollution. If you’re considering swapping out your home’s electronics, see if you can give your old items to a service that refurbish and donate them to people and organizations in need.

Are you interested in helping families in need with your household donations? Ask your local organizations what they need from community members and give accordingly. You can also ask about donation pick up and drop off options with that charity. Have more questions? Leave a comment below.

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Best charities to donate to Donations to veterans Purple heart donation pick up

You Can Make a Difference for Military Veterans!

Donations for non profit organizations

Do you know that the typical American discards nearly 70 lbs. of clothing, towels, drapery, bedding, and various other textiles annually? Considering the fact that there are tens of thousands of needy Americans, couple with problems of pollution, people would be far better donating their used clothing to less fortunate people, wounded veterans charities, or helping military families.

While the best charities to donate to are always helping families in need via purple heart clothing donation, wounded veterans charities, and other local clothing donations, there is always the need for more. Therefore, wounded veterans charities are always looking for donations and many are even willing to pick up clothing donations if they are available.

In addition to helping struggling and disabled United States veterans, donating your used clothing and textiles can save the earth from more unnecessary pollution. Even if you have torn or tattered clothing that is no longer useful, it can still be saved from the landfill through recycling. In fact, anywhere from 90% to 99% (there seems to be yet another factual discrepancy there) of used clothing and textiles can be recycled, which means less pollution and fewer wasted natural resources.

Unfortunately, only around 15% of discarded clothing is ever recovered for reuse or recycling purposes. With that being said, why don’t we join hands, raise our voices in song, and come together as a harmonious, patriotic collective and help our financially struggling veterans!

It is simply a travesty that the U.S. government does more for lazy, shiftless civilians who are perfectly capable of flipping burgers, washing dishes, mowing lawns, shoveling driveways, and even writing SEO than for veterans who put their lives on the limbs for their country. At least we, the American People, can make a difference by donating our used clothing to these fine folks.