A few guidelines about donations.

I have the privilege to assist in running a free clothing center on Monday mornings during the school year.
As I have spent a couple hours almost every day this week readying our space for the new customers, I think about how thrift stores who do this on a MUCH larger scale must be staffed by saints.  Because this week alone, has reminded my many times that we all know which path is paved with good intentions.
Fortunately our cast offs go to be recycled so nothing is wasted...but if you are thinking of donating the following, please consider saving our volunteers some work and recycling them appropriately yourself.

1) Used undergarments with stains.  Just this week I found a pair of white mesh thong underwear w/ skids on the thong part.  Thanks, but uh, no.
2) Clothes with so many pills on them they need a prescription.
3) "Self decorated items"  (tie-dye excluded.)  Really, who besides the child who made it will want a puffy painted bumblebee shirt with their name on the front?   Some of these slip out onto the floor...and then stay there for-ev-er because even though we're grown ups, we feel like schmucks for pitching little Joanies handpainted t-shirt she outgrew three years ago...and she's not even our kid!  and it's corollary....
4) Personalized items.  If the kids name is ironed on, and they didn't grow up to be a professional athlete, another kid will not want to wear it.  Really.
5)  Items that need stain removal by a laundry genie.
6)  Garments with holes in awkward places.  Yes, ripped out knees are sometimes fashionable.  Huge holes in the armpits of t-shirts are not.
7)  Clothes you might find on a downtown street corner.  Remember, we are a clothing center for students.
8)  Ditto on the illegal activity, alcohol themed, etc. garments.
9)  Clothes that were going out of fashion when you were a child.
10)  Single shoes.   Shoes with the toes busted out.  Shoes with holes in the soles.  Shoes missing their insoles.

What do we want then?  Well, we want ALL your gently used clothes from infant to adult, but especially have a need for....

1) shoes in pairs in decent condition.  Last years boots that Johhny wore twice.  The shoes Cara only wore for gym class.
2) Pretty much any boys clothes, especially pants, that aren't totally destroyed.  Being the mother of four boys, I can appreciate what a challenge this can be.
3) NEW socks and underwear are always appreciated!  We give five pairs of each to any student whose parent shows up with proof of enrollment.
4) small toys/books,etc. to give our tag-a-long guests to keep their hands busy while mom shops.
5)  Teen girl clothes always seem to go fast, especially the branded stuff.

Thanks!

Momma M