Where is the best place to donate clothes?

[BarryG]

I have a bunch of clothes to donate. Best drop off places where it will actually benefit somebody in need?

[AsYouWere]

Some local churches actually see their donations through to the end-users personally. We donated a bunch of stuffed animals for Sandy victims
that went right to the kids thru my Sister's church.

[the mule]

Sorry to say but:

Most Americans are thoroughly convinced there is another person in their direct vicinity who truly needs and wants our unwanted clothes. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Charities long ago passed the point of being able to sell all of our wearable unwanted clothes. According to John Paben, co-owner of used-clothing processer Mid- West Textile, “They never could.”

The Salvation Army and Goodwill: Inside the places your clothes go when you donate them. - Slate Magazine

[Jayfar]

One rule of thumb is that clothes out of season will not be particularly welcomed by any organization, as most don't have sufficient storage space to hold them until they're back in season. I know this as someone who worked for such an organization years ago.

[Preesi]

Not to be controversial BUT I NEVER will donate anything to The Salvation Army again.

I only donate things to Goodwill, Shelters, and Impact...

Salvation Army has some pretty bigoted views and practices

Im not sure if theyve softened their anti gay stance but they were very anti gay in the past.
and for years there if you wanted help from them theyd "SAVE" you first.

HELP shouldnt discriminate!


Furthermore, I had bought 5 turkeys a few yrs ago and went to the local soup kitchen to deliver them and rang the doorbell, and I was told I NEEDED A DATGUM APPOINTMENT TO DONATE FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! And THEY COULDNT TAKE ANYTHING WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT!!!!!!!!!!!
I drove to Lansdale to THEIR soup kitchen and gave them the turkeys...

[JePense]

St. Vincent de Paul Society

Main Thrift Store Here

Donation Bins Here

[Eames]

Surprised that no one mentioned Thrift for AIDS on E. Passyunk just south of Bainbridge.

[6enny]

What about those Planet Aid bins?

About - Planet Aid

[thoth]

Surprised that no one mentioned Thrift for AIDS on E. Passyunk just south of Bainbridge.

I was going to say...there's a lot of thrift stores in South Philly. They run off donated clothing right?

[BarryG]

Thrift for AIDS sounds good... I can just dump a couple garbage bags full of clothes on them?

[Jayfar]

What about those Planet Aid bins?

About - Planet Aid

No, just hell no. You might want to research that one a little bit first. Googling the terms planet aid scam should get you started.

[OldMama]

If you have men's winter clothes- hats, coats, scarves, sweats, long underwear- you can donate them to the Seaman Church Institute on 5th Street just above Callowhill. They distribute them to merchant seamen, mostly from tropical countries like Malaysia and the Phillipines, who come into port in the cold weather and have little in the way of warm clothes. They also advocate for the seaman in wage disputes, etc.

[Moonraker]

Simply stated: Bethesda Project

[andrewd]

For men's clothes and shoes I would recommend The Brotherhood Mission on Girard. They have always been appreciative when I have brought things over.

[NickTheCage]

I have a bunch of clothes to donate. Best drop off places where it will actually benefit somebody in need?

I never flip through a copy of National Geographic without realizing how lucky we are to live in a society where it is traditional to wear clothes, even if it is donated