I never thought I'd say this, but... I can't wear half my closet anymore! It's too big! And I am ok with that. However, as I clean my closet out, I want to make sure that my clothes will go somewhere where someone else can wear them. I probably sound horrible saying this, but I am really not familiar with homeless shelters and women's shelters. Do they normally take clothing donations and would it be appropriate to call and ask? With places like Goodwill, do they just resell them and use the money to help people, or do they give the actual clothes to people in need? I can see the value of both, but I would rather them go to someone who actually needs to WEAR them.
On that note, there are obviously some things that cannot be donated, like underpants (unless they are new and still in the package). What about bras? I know that is kind of weird and maybe gross, but I have a bunch of almost new, good bras that no longer fit. I took very good care of them, handwashed in steaming water and antibacterial soap the very few times I wore them, etc. Bras aren't cheap-- you can't buy them in a 6-pack at the dollar store, and they are something everyone needs. Is that something that I should just ask individual places about?
In a weird way, it's exciting to know that because I choose to make a healthy move in my life, I now have the opportunity to help women who are in need. And it makes me glad that I have taken good care of my clothes.
I work for Goodwill, anything you donate will go to good use!!! Items not sold in stores go to recycling!!! Win win. And most womens shelters and half-way homes will take clothes. Big brother/sister might as well.
Goodwill is like a triple-whammy of helpfulness: the clothes are sold super-cheap, which helps people who can't afford new clothes, the profits are used in various charitable ways, and the organization finds jobs for homeless people and others who really need jobs/job training in their stores--lots of very successful people started turning their lives around with a job at Goodwill.
And really, selling clothes very cheaply is, IMHO, more sensible than just giving them away. Putting a small price (and @ my Goodwill, shirts are $1-2 and pants $2-4) on them gives people a reason to carefully pick through and find things they like, not just take whatever (the way anyone will do when things are free).
We donate all of our clothes to the Goodwill a few times a year. Plus it's tax deductable. All around a win-win situation! Congratulations to you for your weight loss.
Ooh that's excellent to know regarding bras... I have quite the collection.
Unfortunately I worry that I will chicken out and want to keep everything so I don't have to rebuy in case I ever regain the weight... Of course that's not what I plan on doing, but maybe I'll keep it for a while, and then after some comfortable maintenance period, plan to give it all away.
As it stands I have one giant rubbermaid bin of too small and one giant rubbermaid bin of too big. Not too shabby.
I gave some of my things to someone I work with that needed some more professional clothing to wear to work. I did ask her first as not to embarrass her. I always give them to her at her car so no one sees the transaction. I also do the same for one of the ladies that work at my daughter's daycare. What I don't give away I take to Goodwill. I think bras are great. I throw away my panties because the thought of recycling those is creepy to me.
Dress for success is another options as they get many donations of size 12 and under cloths and always need larger sizes. Also a good place to donate all those (unused) free with purchase cosmetics and that shampoo you only used once or twice then stuck under the sink. I am a total sucker for "free with purchase" promotions but in the end a rarely use any of the make up.
My local Seventh Day Adventist church used to also take clothing donations; I assume they still do. I also have taken career wear that is still in good shape to the local YWCA; they have a program where women who are trying to get back into the workforce can come and select a couple of new outfits for interviewing, etc.
But Goodwill is definitely a great idea as well. I have 3 bags of stuff that's waiting to go to Goodwill. I should load those up today.
During Hurricane Katrina and Rita, the Goodwill was able to give clother to people that lost everything. I was told that even if the clothes can not be sold, the material in our state is recycled to make uniforms, prison clothes and helps give people jobs.
Another option is women shelters. They often need work clothes to wear to job interviews.
Donating old clothes?
