Help the tornado victims, but hold the used clothing

It’s not surprising to see that charities in Joplin are saying “enough” to the used clothing donations. I’ve heard the people who run charities in Kansas City say the same thing around the holidays.

For many people who feel compelled to help, the first instinct is to run home and clean out their closets. It’s not a bad idea, but holding a yard sale and giving the cash to non-profits would do a lot more good.

To be blunt, the tornado victims in Joplin really don’t want to clad themselves in other peoples’ castoff clothing. They’d much rather accept a gift card and go shopping. Personally, I don’t blame them. Clothes are a form of identity. These folks have lost a lot, but they don’t have to give up their sense of identity or self worth.

The whole used clothing issue is worth a look. Very few of the items we donate to thrift shops or charities actually end up in the closets of the poor. Most are bundled up, sold for pennies on the pound to a secondary market, and shipped overseas to be sold in market stalls or used as industrial fiber.



Read more: http://voices.kansascity.com/entries/help-tornado-victims-hold-used-clothing/#ixzz1NiAhCRDL

many for clothing. I do it myself. Immediately after a disaster, though, used clothing is not what's most needed. The clothing you donate after a disaster doesn't make it into distribution in time to help with that disaster. So, this is correct, at least with regard to disaster relief. But people should not stop donating clothing altogether, especially clothing in excellent condition. Many people benefit from clothing donations, even the donations that end up used as a source of fibers.

Coats? It's May. No one needs a coat in this part of the country in MAY. LOL

and people may be cleaning out their closets.

Planning ahead for people in Missouri who maybe lost all their winter garments recently, the folks who are collecting winter garments now will have them for those who may need them.

to sign up somewhere and be "adopted" by other families/individuals....
much like special funds are set up for people who need financial help burying a loved one.

Banks could easily set up special accounts that people could use for whatever THEY needed..even if it was to escape the horror of what they have been through and to start over somewhere else.

Giving money to an agency that often pays its "overseers" huge amounts in salaries sometimes rankles people.

I am especially sad for the people who lived in those apartments that were ripped up. They probably lost everything they had to their names, and many renters do not have insurance on their stuff.

Most of the people with houses (that were financed) have insurance, and will get some compensation, but the ones who rented are often just flat out ruined.. Even a small amount could help them start over somewhere else....but agencies often give amounts just enough to get by day-to-day and not enough to get to the next step....and since it';s doled out locally, it means they have to stay put amid the devastation to get their "daily dose".

I bet that a LOT of people just want to leave, but without the wherewithal to do it, they are in limbo taking handouts in place, and lacking a financial way to leave. People leaving the area, also actually helps in a way, since fewer people to care for means a streamlined care-giving operation.

people donated was just that.


The local paper published their sizes and needs but people gave them all kinds of crap, it was like they used it as an excuse to clean out grandma's closet and then feel good about themselves.

Same deal. I went over to their house to help clean up, etc and was appalled by the garbage people donated to the family. It was sad. Lots of folks were generous and gave them money and food, which they really needed. But they were also saddled with a bunch of trash they couldn't use and had to deal with throwing that out as well as the contents of their house.

You really don't need that extra pint,

They do

and you get a cookie afterwards

Win/win in my book :thumbsup:

that want to give to wait until later in the summer, when supplies run low.

never mind then :)

The victims are salvaging what they can, but they have nothing to put it in.

They also said they have plenty of bottled water for now. Since we're so close to Joplin and local people have been going to help, they all seem to be collecting loads of bottled water.

http://www.facebook.com/CityofJoplin

One would think that a person who has lost all their worldly possessions might find those same thrift store items, that DUers claim to buy, to be quite useful.

Sorting it by size, by gender, keeping it neat so that people can find what they are looking for.....All those tasks require space and resources that could b directed elsewhere

This has also been reported down here plenty (I live close by). "Don't send clothing!"

"To be blunt, the tornado victims in Joplin really don’t want to clad themselves in other peoples’ castoff clothing. They’d much rather accept a gift card and go shopping. Personally, I don’t blame them. Clothes are a form of identity. These folks have lost a lot, but they don’t have to give up their sense of identity or self worth.

The whole used clothing issue is worth a look. Very few of the items we donate to thrift shops or charities actually end up in the closets of the poor. Most are bundled up, sold for pennies on the pound to a secondary market, and shipped overseas to be sold in market stalls or used as industrial fiber."

I can understand the problems associated with logistics, but the OP implied the people who need stuff would rather have a gift card and buy new stuff.

of any kind would pose until the Joplin tornado.

All the thrift stores in my area accept plastic, so non-specific gift cards would work just fine. It's just that each person in a disaster may need different things. There are plenty of clothes already available. Less so other necessities, in many cases. With a gift card in hand, each person can get what they need, not what we think they need.

Yes, yes, yes. Some of the donation emails going around state this very plainly. While its an 'easy and cheap' way to make us feel good when we clean out our closets for these folks, its not about us. Its about them and what they need.

do my best to donate clothing. Otherwise, I put a check in the mail or donate online, if that option is available. The one exception is my yearlong effort to collect winter jackets, gloves and hats. I can usually pick up many at garage sales for next to nothing during good weather. I always tell the seller why I'm buying them, and a lot of people just say, "Take 'em." Then, when Fall comes around and the temperatures go down, I have several places where I take that stuff. Oddly enough, one of them is a hospital where they have a program that treats people with addictions as a part of a state program. They have a room where they keep clothing to hand out, especially winter clothing. They're one of my favorite places to drop off my loot.

Minnesota's a tough place in the winter for people without means. Staying warm is important.

I've done Kiva loans to women who take the world's tackiest polyester bridesmaid dresses and turn them into wonderful party dresses for little girls and young teenagers. What some of these women can do with a peach horror featuring a big butt bow is astonishing.

Unwearable clothing is what is sold as rags to be used in papermaking. The charity gets paid for those, too, although not as much as for good clothing.

However, donating to a disaster zone is not always a great idea, although kids clothes are usually welcome. People who have lost everything don't want to start over with old stuff. They crave new stuff just because it makes them feel like they still have self worth.

every weekend and we clothe ourselves mostly in used clothing but there are exceptions. Personal items.

One of the reasons they are asking for no more clothes is because they are getting too much. When a disaster like that strikes every used clothing store from the surrounding area sends things - after a while it is other things they need more than clothing. A friend who was flooded out got help from the Red Cross who dropped off clothing at the new address they moved to. It was a big house and the upstairs rooms were packed with clothing - more than they could use for their family of 6. I will admit that they got a lot of other things also from churches and neighbors. Furniture, utensils, food, tools and almost everything. But they got way too much clothing.

The other problem with all donations at times like this is that people use this as a time to get rid of their junk. If you give make sure it is in good condition.