Comments on: Where to donate dilemma...

Question: Where to donate dilemma...

GrooveStix — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:36:38 -0800

Michigan: I would like to donate some clothes, so help me find a good organization to do so.

I am looking for a non-evil organization to donate few bags of my family's unused clothes. Of course the organization needs to be secular and not being in any military order (ex. Purple Heart). I know my criteria knocks off the biggest players, but there has to be an alternative somewhere in Michigan. The location does not matter since I frequently travel around, so that won't be a problem.

The closest I found is IICD but wanted to know what else is there.
Let me know, thanks!

By: SuperSquirrel

SuperSquirrel — Sat, 31 May 2008 14:53:22 -0800

Do you travel to Chicago? The Howard Brown Health Center there has a resale shop called The Brown Elephant.

By: joannemerriam

joannemerriam — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:07:43 -0800

Women's business clothes can go to Dress for Success. Afaik it's secular, and they have locations in Detroit, Michigan and Grand Rapids.

By: disclaimer

disclaimer — Sat, 31 May 2008 15:33:14 -0800

I like Lighthouse of Oakland County. Ten years or so ago I donated some old coats to Lighthouse on a cold day. The next day, I was driving downtown and saw someone wearing a very distinctive old coat. It looked better on him than it ever did on me. :)

By: blackkar

blackkar — Sat, 31 May 2008 17:10:01 -0800

I don't know where you are, but the Ann Arbor PTO Thrift shop donates their profits to local schools and gives vouchers to local homeless/women's shelters for free items.

By: Flunkie

Flunkie — Sat, 31 May 2008 21:00:05 -0800

Goodwill is secular, and I certainly assume non-military. They have a presence in Michigan.

By: pmurray63

pmurray63 — Sat, 31 May 2008 21:07:01 -0800

St. Vincent de Paul, in Detroit

By: pmurray63

pmurray63 — Sat, 31 May 2008 21:08:40 -0800

Oops, I missed your secular requirement. Although I'm not sure why that should matter.

By: BinGregory

BinGregory — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:16:21 -0800

My sister takes old clothes and refashions them into stylish garments, which she then sells. She takes donations, if you would like to support her modest side business. She's in Ann Arbor. Memail me if you'd like to get in touch with her.

By: GrooveStix

GrooveStix — Sat, 31 May 2008 22:17:26 -0800

@pmurray63
Religious charities that try to do good because some (desert dogma) prophet or god said so, seem very hypocritical and socially poisonous. I don't like perpetuating that type of system of thinking that got us into trouble in the first place. I'll rather have people who admit to their imperfections, and volunteer out of love and pure concern of humanity.

@Flunkie & @blackkar
Your ideas seem good, so I'll check'em out.

By: Miko

Miko — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:39:53 -0800

Do some research on what's going to happen to your clothes. A lot of charities sell them in bulk by the pound, where they end up in developing countries or are sold to ragmakers. If you have nicer things, you may be better off selling for cash to a consignment shop, then donating the cash to a cause you care about.

By all means, avoid Planet Aid.