The DU Lounge

Salvation Army at least has social services for veterans and those seeking addiction support, even after school programs. I have never been able to uncover exactly what Goodwill does in their mission statements of the “power of work”. EVERY thrift store offers work opportunities. I think they aren’t as good” as their name suggests. I think the public just uses it as a convenient path to solve a problem of getting rid of their old crap.

But giving to the thrift store system as a whole is not really “donations” since they get way more crap that they can’t sell. Using the IRS tax break is a scam for the crap that you couldn’t sell at a garage sale. And a lot of the old clothes you think you are donating end up being dumped on poor countries in the global secondary bulk clothing market causing enormous waste problems for them. It’s a HUGE issue that the public is clueless about.

I find using FB marketplace as well as giving it for free on sites like Buying Nothing work great. Sharing your old stuff with others for free is a wonderful solution. Heck, I put a box outside on my lawn right next to the sidewalk marked “free”. It’s a wonderful surprise as to what people will take if given the opportunity and for free.