The Hundred Saris
February 3, 2010 12:19 PM Subscribe
My mother has over 100 Indian saris in her closet that she would like to get rid of. She would really like to donate them to some organization that could make use of them. We live in the US, so just taking them to Goodwill wouldn't work. Are there any thrift stores or charity organizations in the US which cater to a South Asian community and/or would accept the saris? Would anyone even want them?
By the way, the saris are in excellent condition and range from simple to super fancy. Also, I know she could do something crafty with them, but she is already full up with projects. She doesn't want to sell them. As a last resort she'll see if she can mail them to India, but she'd like to see if there is a cheaper donation route.
By the way, the saris are in excellent condition and range from simple to super fancy. Also, I know she could do something crafty with them, but she is already full up with projects. She doesn't want to sell them. As a last resort she'll see if she can mail them to India, but she'd like to see if there is a cheaper donation route.
Perhaps you could contact a Indian student association at a nearby major university?
posted by demiurge at 12:23 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by demiurge at 12:23 PM on February 3, 2010
Response by poster: When she took some of them to her local Goodwill, they told her they wouldn't be able to sell that many, so they wouldn't accept them for donation. (They also don't accept other things like textbooks or stuffed toys).
posted by bluefly at 12:24 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by bluefly at 12:24 PM on February 3, 2010
Here's a list of orgs that might be interested.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:25 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:25 PM on February 3, 2010
I would majorly suggest a South Asian-specializing domestic violence intervention organization. in most cities, these type of women's centers are big on getting nice clothing because a lot of women leave home for good with only the clothes they are wearing.
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:26 PM on February 3, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by toodleydoodley at 12:26 PM on February 3, 2010 [6 favorites]
The local Korean-adoptee community has a rent-a-hanbok program. Maybe there's something similar for South Asian cultural outreach in your community?
posted by Coffeemate at 12:28 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by Coffeemate at 12:28 PM on February 3, 2010
This sounds like a treasure trove for a group that makes crafts for charity.
Here is a list of various groups that make quilts for charity.
BTW, I'm sure you're Mom could get a very good price for the whole batch of saris if she posted on Craigslist. And then she could donate the proceeds to charity.
posted by valannc at 12:29 PM on February 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
Here is a list of various groups that make quilts for charity.
BTW, I'm sure you're Mom could get a very good price for the whole batch of saris if she posted on Craigslist. And then she could donate the proceeds to charity.
posted by valannc at 12:29 PM on February 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
Seconding toodleydoodley about a south-asian focused domestic violence organization. This is one in the community where I work.
posted by Stewriffic at 12:31 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by Stewriffic at 12:31 PM on February 3, 2010
Sell them in a lot on eBay and then donate the money to whomever you like.
posted by hermitosis at 12:40 PM on February 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by hermitosis at 12:40 PM on February 3, 2010 [1 favorite]
Seconding eBay; you might also try selling them as fabric. I've repurposed more than one sari in my time.
posted by tel3path at 12:44 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by tel3path at 12:44 PM on February 3, 2010
you could also sell them on etsy as vintage saris or fabric - I have a few old ones that I use as wall hangings, they're very beautiful.
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:56 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 12:56 PM on February 3, 2010
Contact SAALT, an excellent national South Asian American advocacy and policy non-profit based in DC/MD. They would have ideas or be willing to link you to partner organizations that address poverty, domestic violence, and other issues in the South Asian community.
posted by skenfrith at 3:58 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by skenfrith at 3:58 PM on February 3, 2010
Contact SAALT, an excellent national South Asian American advocacy and policy non-profit based in DC/MD.
Follow-up: SAALT suggests contacting ASHA (DC), Raksha (Atlanta), Manavi (New Jersey), and Apna Ghar (Chicago). They are all non-profits that address domestic violence in the South Asian American community.
[Disclosure: I have personal and past professional knowledge of SAALT.]
posted by skenfrith at 4:34 PM on February 3, 2010
Follow-up: SAALT suggests contacting ASHA (DC), Raksha (Atlanta), Manavi (New Jersey), and Apna Ghar (Chicago). They are all non-profits that address domestic violence in the South Asian American community.
[Disclosure: I have personal and past professional knowledge of SAALT.]
posted by skenfrith at 4:34 PM on February 3, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for all your suggestions, especially those of you who gave us links to specific organizations (I would never have thought of the quilting charities!). I'll show this thread to my mother, and we'll try contacting them. I think selling them might be easiest, but she wants to at least try to see if she can donate them.
posted by bluefly at 6:47 PM on February 3, 2010
posted by bluefly at 6:47 PM on February 3, 2010
I would love to buy some saris if she is interested in selling. I would be willing to pay for the saris and shipping costs. Memail me if interested.
posted by triggerfinger at 3:20 AM on February 4, 2010
posted by triggerfinger at 3:20 AM on February 4, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Why?
posted by amro at 12:22 PM on February 3, 2010