[chrissy]

I can´t throw away anything. Last week I cleaned out my shoe closet. Some pairs I´ve never worn since many years. If they are still in decent shape I donate them. If they are worn-out or ridiculously hideous looking ...think it´s the best to put them directly into the general household waste. I was astonished that my neighbour blamed me. She said that the donation bag is the right choice for all my old shoes. I can´t believe this . Should I put these 15!!!yrs old worn-out leather boots:
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3751/to8qh.jpg
in the donation box ? I don´t think that homeless people have a need for these old 4 inch knee high boots. I know that sounds harsh, but for me they are just plain old trash - and I mean from the health aspect they are really gross. Ewww....think my old pull-on boots contain a lot of bacteria . I am a recycling nut. Need declutter advice ladies ... Monday is trash day.
Who had right in this discussion ? Gross household waste or are my 15yrs old boots recycable items ?

[DebB]

Hi chrissy ~ At first, I was inclined to say, "Donate" -- if the donation center deems them trash, they can always toss them.

Then I read towards the end of your post that you said they were no longer sanitary and gross -- so my final decision is with you - TOSS THEM!

Then tell busy-body-neighbor-lady to mind her own business - LOL *Ü*
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Started Somersizing Feb. 2001

[Eowyn]

Hi Chrissy,
I thought they looked ok on the surface, but if you say they are gross then toss them. Shame... they are cool

We donate to Salvation Army and when I am gathering items, I always look the item over and decide whether I would feel comfortable wearing it if I was in need. If yes, it's cleaned and boxed up, if not it's trashed.

I am not sure where you donate, but I know most places don't just assist the homeless, but sell to the general public to support social programs such as drug and alcohol rehabs. Some thrift/charity stores also assist jobs programs in providing those like the homeless or low income folks who cannot afford clothes, the opportunity to have proper business attire to get jobs. So something you may think would not be good for the "streets", may help them dress up sharp for a job interview.

Just a thought

-Amy
_________________
Every act of creation is first an act of destruction - Pablo Picasso

[wiredfoxterror]

I donate everything! Different things to different charities.

My favorites are:

Battered and Abused Women thrift shop

Goodwill thrift shop

and a local charity where you donate business clothes, shoes, purses even shampoo amd makeup for women returning to work

old towels and even old shirts with holes and spots go to the Humane Society as they use them for dogs to sleep on and for rags.

Somebody would buy those boots!!!!!!!!
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[wiccanmalenurse]

Oh BOY (pun intended) Here we go again! No men allowed huh ? I noticed that you said "Ladies" well just for the record, my wife will tell you that I am indeed a shoe collector! I have approximately 27 pairs of shoes and only 2 pair are tennis shoes, 2 pair are sandals, 3 pair boots and the rest are dress shoes. Now note since you are new I will let you know up front that I'm just ribbing you a little! But on a more serious note and as a nurse and a volunteer at the food bank and the FRN (Family Resource Network) board member, I must say that they really didn't look that bad. They can be sanitized with foot spray and lysol, cleaned up a little with saddle soap and shined like new with some mink oil. I know the saying is oh so true that "one mans (or woman's) trash is another man's (or womans) treasure. We are fortunate enough to have items that we may deem unsuitable for our use that may get many years by another that is in less desirable circumstances. At the FRN we created what is called a "job closet" where people in need can come and get dress cloths and shoes and Boots for job interviews and so forth. I would also tell your neighbor to mind her own business in a kind way. I hope I didn't offend you Chrissy but so many people out there that I have met would think those boots are the cats meow. And not only would someone get use of them possibly, but you will feel better knowing that 1-you are helping someone in need and 2-you are recycling these without filling the landfills with something someone else could use. Often times people use items in a way we would never think of. I have seen leather craftsmen take old boots, cut them, sanitize them, redye them and turn them into beautiful pieces of work like handbags, wallets, keychains and many times as stated above these are made by "physically or mentally challenged" people. We have a HOW (Hands On Workshop) here in our community and this very thing happens daily. They often get cabinets that people WERE gonna throw out, refinish and repair them and then stencil and paint them. I have seen some really beautiful work done creating "trash to treasure" Also when you donate them you can claim them as a tax deduction. It may seem minute but in a years period, it does add up. My wife (who is an accountant) can itemize deductions quicker than a Grasshopper can jump! I just wanted to let others out there maybe think a "little outside the box" (donation box if you will )
and know that it is the little things that mean a lot to other people. "Faith Hope and Charity-the greatest of these is charity for it extends beyond the grave" Thanks for letting me post and sorry I am a man. If it will make y'all feel better, I could disguise myself next time in a wig and some of my wife's merle Norman but I still need to lose a lot to get into her dresses! Take care Chrissy and it shows that you are a good person just in the fact that you took the time to post this subject and it weighed on your mind. Great topic and welcome! Take care everbuddy, David
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[jkmfrog]

Every thrift store is different, but my mother works for a well known one and they toss a ton of stuff. If it has holes, it worn out, smelly, faded, etc. It will get tossed. If these shoes have worn heels/soles, are missing laces, are dirty, are obviously well worn and esp if they are smelly, they will be thrown out.

People who work there don't like when they have to toss out what is obviously not going to be purchased or worn by anyone. Many of these places also have to pay for trash pickup. If its trash - dump it on your own. If in doubt, take it in and talk with the manager about their standards. If they don't want it, be nice and put it in your own trash.

Just my (and my mom's) opinion, y'all can disagree.

Jennifer

[nikki]

Worn out, bacteria...YUCK!!! Please don´t make extra work for people in the charity shops who are voluteering their time. Those old boots belong into the garbage bag for all non-recycable trash!!! TOSS THEM!

[wiccanmalenurse]

sorry double posted and can't delete see below, David
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Praise loudly, blame softly and treat each person you meet as a brother or sister!
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[wiccanmalenurse]

Not to step on any toes here but I can't let this one slide by,Sorry but I just had to add a note! I know from experience as well about thrift shops and if we really want to shine the spotlight on somebody then lets clean house. My sister worked for a well known thrift store and my nephews best friend is a captain in a well known organization of another series of variety stores. THIS is why I am like Foxey if she doesn't mind the comparison or should I say the similarity of my donation habits. I have seen with my own eyes, "these stores" send big trucks and pick up almost an entire store that closes. I have seen high dollar colognes, perfumes, mixers new in box, bowls, makeup,etc, etc. A variety of stuff you would find in a drug store. They arrive "ready for donation" only to be pilfered through by the employees who are many times (note this is not a stereotype for all thrift store workers but what I have personally seen myself) in no need at all. Many of the high dollar items or name brand merchandise never makes it to the floor! As for the thrift stores I am referring to, Nobody is volunteering their time as they are paid well and could do without the above mentioned "fringe benefits" they receive! Ask someone that lost everything they own in a fire, or maybe someone who lost everything in a flood if they care about a scuff mark or a little elbow grease needed to make it acceptable ! I have been there and after the flood on July 8th, 2001 I walked in the shoe store with my family ALL who were muddy barefoot and had to get some shoes. Better to wear shoes sprayed with lysol and are scuffed or walk barefoot in raw sewage, oil gas and dead animal water? Bacteria that is funky? In a closet? come on now, just because shoes are not worn doesn't mean they have "bacteria" in them. I am a nurse and I have never heard of them growing bacteria anyways. I have seen leather grow a coat on it that needs a little work but nothing that couldn't be fixed. Also the other reason I am selective as in regards to who receives my donations is the very reasons you have read here on this thread. People deeming stuff unacceptable and just tossing it out when it could be used. This my friends is a profit and loss situation. If they think it won't "sell" and make them money, then poof, it goes in the trash. I don't like that at all and if they are making the money I know they are . then it certainly wouldn't hurt them to put it in a dumpster. I ALWAYS ask for a financial report and you would be surprised to see how much of this "needed" money that is donated and made from the sale of donated items goes to "administrative cost". I also understand that they have to have a budget and pay the utilities, rent, etc but when I get a report that shows 78 cents of every dollar is going to administrative cost then I have a problem. I think never over 10 cent on a dollar should be used in administrative cost. These places are there to help people in NEED and I assure you when you have nothing, many of those items can look pretty darn good! All the rags that are donated where I donate are bundled and sold in bulk for redoing and redying. Some of the clothing that is no good is also bundles and redistributed as rags for cars and cleaning chores and makes them a good amount of money. I mean who doesn't know that a Tee shirt makes the best buffer for a wax job on your car or truck? I just think if we are there to really help the needy then do you think a homeless person on the street cares if it is a little faded? Can smelly not be washed? Can rags not be used to clean with and save the trees, can leather not be recycled and used to make other leather items, can plastic not be recycled rather than thrown in a "dumpster or trash can at home" I think and know that they can! I just needed to get it off my chest. We all have our opinions but this is just mine. I'm still the same ole David , but I am passionate on some issues and I guess you can tell this is one of them. I work for the FRN (Family Resource Network), the Child Protection Team, SAFE (stop abusive family environments) , sit on the board at the DHHR, council on aging and work at the food bank and ALL of which I am NOT paid for nor do I want to be compensated for. I "donate" my time as a charity effort I agree to disagree at times and that is what makes America great! Diversity, different ideals and passion in our causes.Take care and recycle, David
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Praise loudly, blame softly and treat each person you meet as a brother or sister!
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[joy828]

Well said, David!! I admire everyone 'of good character' who volunteers at our organizations who truly do help others. So many of them don't - and it is a real eye-opener to see where the dollars go in some of even the largest organizations, when you get to checking them out. It makes me sick to see what they do with donations that have been given in good faith, many times by people who don't have much to give, and to see it being misspent. This link will take you to a site that can show you what I'm (and David is) talking about.

It is something I feel strongly about, too. I feel that we all are so blessed that we must give something positive back to the world we live in. I give what I can when I can. I don't have a lot of money to donate, and when I donate what I can - I want it to count for something other than exhorbitant paychecks for the people at the top.

I am not opposed to people who actually do the work, getting a fair pay - but some of them are so out of line in what actually goes to the people they are trying to help, it's obscene!

OK - my rant is over!!! Go ahead, Chrissy, and give them the boots! It is very nice of you to give your items to someone who needs them, and who knows ....... someone might feel really "cool" wearing those boots, when they might not have a good opinion of themselves most of the time. You've got a good heart ..... your neighbor should take a lesson from you!

www.charitynavigator.org
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[greeneyes]

I've been putting my fat clothes in bags for the good will/salvation army collection box.

I must say, y'all have made me think twice about my old shoes. I was going to throw the old, worn-out, atheletic shoes away, but I should probably bag them up too.

They just look old and don't support my feet well enough to stand on a concrete floor all day anymore. But they would keep someone's feet warm and protected from the elements.

And the ragged clothes? There is a woman near my hometown that takes clothes that can't be worn again and fabric scraps for women who make quilts for the needy.

Thanks for the reminder.

PS I've read of people on other low-carb sites who shop the thrift stores because of the rapid weight loss. Can't afford a "new" wardrobe every month or two so they take in the clothes that are too big and in many cases work out a trade for clothes that fit.

[crazywoman]

Well, I'm gonna step up on my soap box too about some of these huge "charities". actually about one. There is one "charity" that I will not donate to. I will tell you it is in the top three of the 10 Super-Sized Charities listed on the site that Joyce posted.
So many people think that they are a giving organization! Wrong..... they LEND. They've been that way for years.
They have lots of wonderful volunteers, and I applaud those volunteers. But as stated here, their top exeutives get paid an outrageous salary.
When they go into an area (or to the military personnel) and "give" them help, it is not a gift. It is a loan! Very few people realize this.
As a kid my father would always say, I won't give to them, when they came to the schools and asked for donations. (Don't know if they still do this or not, but they did back then.) He never told me why. But years later I found out from my father-in-law why. Maybe not the same thing, but close I'm sure.
My FIN's paperwork was lost, and he didn't get paid for several months. "They" came to him and gave him some cash (I think) & some personal items, such as a comb, toothbrush, etc. Well, later he got a bill saying he owed for all this. Nothing was said at the time that it was given that it was a loan. It was given to him like it was a gift. I'm sure something similar had happened to my dad.
Then when my DH was in the military, we had a situation where I lost my good thoughts about them too, before I found that out. I'll not go into that.
I will give to other charities, and even some of the Big ones, not that one.
I even will not buy things when it states that part of the money goes to them.

OK, now I'll step down. I was reluctant to even step up, as I can't always write down what I want to say very well. So hope it came out OK
_________________
Billie
4'8" Started LC WOL Aug 2003

BBcode

My mind not only wanders, sometimes it leaves completely.

[wiccanmalenurse]

Billie, it came out just fine and I hear ya! I just wanted everyone to know that we are not condemming anyone for WHO they donate to as a donation is a donation but just keep in mind that you can make your donations "more valuable" to the needy if you are selective as to how the donated items and the money from the sale of these items are distributed. The only way to do that is to inquire or research your selected charities donation procedures and the amount of "money" that is used for higher end management salaries. Great thread here Chrissy, I think you started a fire and I feel fuzzy and WARM! Take care and think before you act, David
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Praise loudly, blame softly and treat each person you meet as a brother or sister!
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[crazywoman]

[joy828]

Just thought I'd bring this up to the top - since it was an interesting discussion a while back about the need for donations ...............
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