You might try calling a couple of churches. They often donate things to specific families in the parish, rather than selling them or sending them to some type of central distribution center.
There are also shelters that go by a variety of different names like “women’s shelters” or something like that. They often focus on victims of domestic violence. My wife and I give a lot to a local shelter like that. In fact, we’re those people who are always taking all the hotel soaps we can get when we travel, but we do it to donate them. Many of these shelters are associated with churches in some way, so you might find them by asking there.
Local, small homeless outreach groups often keep a trunkful of clothes for the homeless they encounter on the streets.
There is a thrift store I sometimes deal with that is associated with one of the homeless outreaches. I’ve donated some stuff to them in the past. One time, I took a homeless friend of mine with me - he had a winter job up north, and I was helping him get there. He needed some warm clothes. The thrift shop gave him several outfits for free.
Finally, smaller churches are often good for this. The one associated with the community garden that I volunteer for really knows their congregation, and does what they can to fill needs.
This is what I was thinking of, yeah. I’m a fairly outspoken atheist, but I will concede that some churches do a lot of good. Helping someone up into self-sustainability is, I think, one of the best ways to do good for EVERYONE.
Oh, I’m an atheist as well - I just know that churches deal with people living on the edge on a regular basis.
And if you’re still a little reluctant to give to a church, another good recipient might be a food pantry. Many of them have a small closet for those looking for clothing assistance. But again, I’d make sure they don’t just give the good stuff away to the first homeless guy to come in. It seems selfish, but I’d want that suit and any nice clothes to go to the best possible use.
St. Vincent dePaul gets all my used clothing because they actually do serve the poor.
One more thing. DO NOT give your stuff to the Red Cross. With very few exceptions, they do not want people’s stuff; they want cash donations, so they can purchase supplies or give out clothing vouchers to people who have experienced a disaster.
I donate used, but in good condition, clothes to a local mission because I know the men living at that mission will get the clothes. This is important to me, but there’s also noting wrong with a donation to Goodwill or other places with thrift stores for resell. I just like knowing that men who really need decent coats, shirts, or pants are getting them.
I’m a 52 yr old disabled female with many health issues. I can’t make my monthly check go around and am always going without something. My illnesses don’t let me leave home much and to go to the thrift stores it still wouldn’t help, I can’t afford those prices either. I went to a place once that had free clothing (1 outfit) thy didn’t fit or match by the time I left I felt like I belonged on the street in a cardboard box and looked like it also. I have been looking for clothing for free online that could be shipped to me but no luck there. I wish I had the money to help people in my situation. Clothing is just one of many problems I have. Getting mmy car fixed, having the basics like toilet paper to last the month. Food for my special diet is more expensive than junk food. Its crazy what this world has come to and very sad. Really enough to make a person give up.
Welcome! I’m afraid I don’t have a good answer for you but I can suggest you contact one of the local charity-based thrift shops (Goodwill, St Vincent De Paul <sic?>) around you. Some have provisions for those in actual need like you are instead of basic cheapskates like me looking for a bargain. Worse comes to worse, contact some of the local churches. The congregation I belong to maintains a storehouse of clothes and basics just for situations like yours.
PS – usually we try to avoid restarting threads as old as this one; our term is “zombies”. The reasons are assorted from the original posters being gone to it just not being as interesting as new (even very similar) threads. But it is basically the local custom around here.
I am going to add to this “zombie” just to fight ignorance.
I work for a non-profit. (Salvation Army Family Store).
We take all donations. Everything is much appreciated and what is unsaleable is bagged and goes to missions (stained, torn, etc.).
What gets my goat is people drop off donations as if we were the local dump.
Totally trashed items ends up in the dumpster, which our organization pays for out of the operating budget.
I can tell everyone that stuff that doesn’t make it to the store goes to missions that serve the homeless, overseas (Africa, Latin America. local charities), or like I mentioned the dumpster.
I feel your pain. Been there myself.
Not sure of your location, but if you have a Salvation Army around you please go and talk to them. Get a clothing voucher and most likely they have a food pantry.
We have 2 Salvation Army locations here. One sells gently used clothing for cheap. The other place has clothes displayed nicely on racks, and gives them away. You can put your name on a clipboard, take a few plastic bags, and take whatever you want.