How to Increase Your Charitable Giving Year Round

Written by Economic Development Jobs on December 6, 2016. Posted in Children in need of clothing, Donate goods to charity, Looking for donations

Local clothing donations

Americans spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on the purchase of new clothing items yearly. Most children are given new clothing and shoe items for Christmas and birthday presents. Adults may gift clothing items as well. What happens to the clothing items that these items are replacing? Some of them sit in the backs of closets, unused for many months or years. Some of them are donated to the local charity or a family member who can use them. Many of them end up in landfills and garbage disposals. Too many clothing items are thrown away, when donating them can provide good for those in need and for the environment.

Keep them out of land fills In 2006, 2.5 billion pounds of fabric were kept from the landfills by used clothing purchases. However, this still leaves many pounds of clothing that is making its way into these landfills. The clothing sits, taking up a lot of space when it could have been easily recycled. Charity clothing pick up services even make it easy to donate unwanted clothing items, keeping them out of these landfills.

Consider charity clothing pickups every holiday season Many people gift clothing items. Going through your current clothing items before the holiday season can help prepare for these new clothing items, for both adults and children. Also, when you donate these clothes donations to your local charity, you are providing new clothing for others during the holiday season. You can help a variety of charities, including disabled veterans donations and goodwill charities.

Also consider going through closets at the change of each season. Back to school season is another time of the year that children receive a lot of new clothing items. Encourage them to go through their closets, removing any unwanted items. The clothing drop off during this time can provide back to school clothing for children and families who may not be able to afford back to school shopping. Also, charity clothing pick ups tend to slow down following the holiday season. About 43% (42.7%) of those surveyed gave more during the holidays than the rest of the year, 44.4% reported giving about the same.

Arrange charity clothing pick ups every few months Americans recycle or donate only 15% of their used clothing. One of the most common reasons for this is lack of time or motivation. Going through the closet can be a big chore that many put off. However, if you arrange a pre scheduled charity clothing pick up every few months, you are more likely to donate clothes that you no longer wear. You will see your charitable donations increase with the regular pick ups.

Allow charities to sort through your clothing Some people may be too picky when it comes to donating their unused clothing items. It is often best to allow the charity to go through the donated items, because they are often better informed as to what items can be reused. However, almost 100% of household textiles and clothing can be recycled, regardless of quality or condition. Some of them can be used for clothing, while other materials can be broken down and made into other needed items, such as blankets, sheets, and other linens.

Encourage close friends to also donate It is not quite enough to simply do your part. Teach your children the importance of donating their unused items. Encourage your close friends and family members to also donate their unused and unwanted items. Many people are not even aware of the fact that they can just drop off their clothing item donations. It does not require much effort or planning.

It is likely that you and your family members will receive additional clothing items this holiday season. Consider going through your closets before the holiday, donating any unused or unwanted clothing items. These items can free up space in your closet and can provide a nice holiday for those who cannot afford to purchase new clothing items this year. The donations also help to recycle and keeps unwanted clothing out of landfills, which is important for the environment.

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