posted on August 26, 2002 07:55:08 PM new
Again tonight: Several shopping bags of barely if ever worn clothes and shoes. Every other night. And never K-Mart. Lowest end is GAP and Banana Republic. Often with tags still on. Worn once or twice. Several times a week even. (Barely touched toys too.) I drag in what I can, and distribute what I can, and why my neighbors (by proximity) just THROW THIS STUFF OUT is beyond me.
But I don't have the room to take in everything. I have to leave stuff behind--like the three bags of shoes, sneakers and blankets out there that someone somewhere would be more than grateful to have.
I think about poor Islands people and flood victims and all that but I'm in no position to pay postage never mind into an unknown void where the good stuff might be picked out before the rest goes to where I intend.
Sure, if I had nothing else to do, I could list piece by piece or lot by lot (the quality is that good) but that is unrealistic and my plaace already loks like an auction barn.
There are no drop-offs here. And maybe the Salvation Army can pick up between 9 & 5 on a weekday in 2 weeks...
What would you do? To see this stuff thrown out all of the time just kills me, when I know the need for these things is so great elsewhere.
posted on August 26, 2002 08:24:50 PM new
Any nearby women's shelters? A lot of women leave relationships with just the clothes on their backs? Any places that give business clothes to people trying to get back in the workforce?
posted on August 27, 2002 10:09:17 AM new
I did call a local women-to-work type place once but they were only accepting things, like suits, for very large women.
posted on August 27, 2002 02:14:05 PM new
check out eBay charity giving board,
you can also post there,
so copy your text and say who / where you want to donate,
you can even ask them to pay postage,
specify sizes,
what a nice thing your doing!
posted on August 27, 2002 06:07:37 PM new
Hello stanleymu!
Storage is the problem. If I can't move it fast then I can't do it.
As for the eBay "charity board", where I've visited and even posted before (no offense meant, it is absolutely the most moronic message board I have ever seen on the 'net.
A half-fictional example:
-I'm off to walk the dog.(Sue)
-Hey Joe, did you fart today?(Larry)
-What kind of dog, Sue? I have two terriers. They keep me busy. LOL! (Mimi)
-Terri, did you get the joke I sent you? (Bisquick)
-Hi-I'm aware of some one in terrible need since they lost everything in a fire and have 8 kids!!! Please contact [email protected]
-Sue here! She made #1 and #2!!!! And it only took ten minutes! LOL!
-Hey guys--look at item #1234567! What a crock! (Sam)
-I got that joke Bisquick, shall I post it here? (Larry)
posted on August 27, 2002 10:23:44 PM new
Don't give up with this! You have a good heart, and somewhere there'll be a connection where the clothing is needed. ONe idea--ministers and other clergy frequently have need of clothing for their members who are down on their luck. And the Mormon church helps its own members a lot (I'm not a Mormon, just used to live in Utah!). Any local Mormon (LDS) stake or ward may be able to use what you're gathering up.
What a shame, for people to throw out perfectly good clothing. Because it means they're spending thoughtlessly. As my good husband commented once, when I was a bit critical of an elderly couple who'd built a mansion near us with 13 bathrooms and everything else that goes with such an establishment, and when a friend then said, but it's their money,--husband said it shows a lack of imagination. And he's right. There are so many needs out there in the world, and I think if there's a heaven, such people will have to answer for what they've done with what they were given.
To spend on a mansion for a single person or a couple seems almost sinful to me, and I do think it makes those folks appear a bit simpleminded!
posted on August 28, 2002 06:31:02 AM new
Hi Cyn!
My ex-MIL lived in an apartment in Brooklyn and worked in Manhattan.
She used to take similar 'discards' (a bag at a time) and 'drop' them in close proximity to a homeless person.
She was pretty familiar with who the *regulars* were. They seemed to appreciate the free finds & get the stuff to whoever needed it.
I always thought it was a thoughtful gesture.
Rather than Salvation Army or GoodWill who sells the stuff and *maybe* gets the proceeds to the needy, she got the goods (clothing, shoes, blankets, etc) straight to the source.
*It was convenient for her, not sure if it would work out for you*
{{{val}}}
posted on August 28, 2002 06:36:00 AM new
Roadsmith
Such ostentacious displays of wealth in the midst of poverty and need seems obscene to me. We have such a temple in our area which cost millions of dollars to build. It is so ornate and enormous that it is known locally as "disneyland".
If, as you indicate, they only take care of their members then I would give them nothing. Exclusivity of organized religion bothers me a LOT!
Helen
ed.to address poster.
[ edited by Helenjw on Aug 28, 2002 06:40 AM ]
posted on August 28, 2002 07:36:11 AM new
thanks Helen!
I'd love to take credit for it but the ex-MIL was the true do-gooder!
She got a bit out of hand with it, at times!
She used to bring them the leftovers at Thanksgiving, too!
They never wondered how you could have leftovers on Wednesday...
posted on August 28, 2002 08:19:02 AM new
zoomin: Not a bad idea. Thanks.
Helen: People are buying again, that's for sure. I remember for a while there I couldn't find even one discarded box for two weeks. Now, not only are there boxes, there are tons of them. This is a good one: Yesterday I dragged in 9 nice strong white boxes for mailing. There was a label on each, "Spode. Fives pieces. $90.00."
Maybe K-Mart isn't doing so well, but the Lord & Taylors seem to be doing just fine.
posted on August 28, 2002 02:34:00 PM new
"Where did Laura go to school?"
I was rummaging around Out There again today, and found a Sanyo triple-CD player double-cassette player radio with matching speakers; like new. I was bored and suspicious, I mean, didn't I just find an AWAI last week. (That's going back, it's,well, imperfect. The Sanyo is perfect with great sound. I couldn't do as well in a resale shop. (But I don't know this yet, until aftre I got thru the other stuff.)
So I want to talk about Laura.
When I went back for the speakers I notice two power tools type boxes covered with Barbie stickers and the like, conspicuously marked "Laura _____." I figured what the heck, although it really did look like kids junk. It is my motto "The harder you look the more likely you are to find."
In the boxes were tools alright, and I'm a woman who can appreciate a good tool. A rechargeable power drill; assorted heavy-duty common tools; knives and other gadgets; braces; tape-measure; and more, all big boy stuff, all identified "Laura X" in marker.
A rechargeable power drill; assorted heavy-duty common tools; knives and other gadgets; braces; tape-measure; and more, all big boy stuff, all identified "Laura X" in marker.