5 Alternatives to Charity Shops: Give clothes to people who ‘need’ them

22Aug
by Cherryl

Following on from ‘Are Charity Shops Misunderstood’  I promised to expand on some of the other places we can donate to, to get items directly into the hands of those who might need them the most, for free.

5 Charity Shop Alternatives to Help You Reach Those in Need

Don’t get me wrong, charity shops have their plus points, but they’re not the only charitable way to get rid of things you don’t need anymore.

Plus, thrift shopping is quite common these days for people who don’t really need to thrift – they just want the buzz of a bargain and  enjoy shopping in a more eco-friendly way – and why not!

1 Help the homeless

Countless community based housing services welcome donations of practical things to give to those experiencing housing difficulties. It’s worth finding out what services are on offer in your area, and the types of donations they would like.

2 Churches

Some churches accept clothing (and other) donations, and then open up their doors so those in need can come and take advantage. Check with churches in your local area to see what they’re doing.

3 Eager job hunters

You heard right!

There are organisations set up to help those who need outfits for job interviews, e.g. for women, there’s Dress for Success a global charity (including UK – London, Ireland and Scotland). You can arrange to have donations delivered on one of their advertised ‘receiving’ days, or drop off in person.

Smart Works is another one in london for women’s clothes.

Similalry for men, Suited and Booted, based in the City of London.

 

For men and women, Suited for Success, based in UK Birmingham does a similar thing.

These job seeker support services receive brand new clothing and accessory donations directly from retailers (very high end in some cases) as well as those of us with suitable clothes to offer, in good condition.

There are probably lots of these sorts of charities across the country – but unless you work in certain sectors that bring them to your attention to help you support those in need – people are generally unaware of them because they just don’t get the media publicity that some other dominant charities get.

Job hunters do not pay for their outfits, the whole point is to give them that extra bit of help to try and secure a job if they’re already struggling to make ends meet.

You can contact them directly to arrange getting a donation to them.

4 Victim Support shelters/women and children’s refuges etc

Those fleeing domestic abuse or some other crisis may have little or no time to gather their much needed belongings. Donations to related services offer a much needed helping hand and there are plenty to choose from.

5 Crisis/Disaster Appeals

Most of the time disasters around the world will present various means to make money donations online, through banks, GoFundMe or other community based fundraising activities.

Sometimes, they might also ask for specific types of item/clothing donations, along with people who have family connections in those countries (you might know someone) many of whom will organise their own shipments to send ‘home’ to their affected friends and relatives.

 

You might know of other useful alternatives to charity shops to add to this list – feel free to share below 👌

25 thoughts on “5 Alternatives to Charity Shops: Give clothes to people who ‘need’ them”

  2. Pingback: Time for a Quick Cuppa? Pop the Kettle on. -

  4. Liz Dexter – Birmingham, UK – Book blog is at http://www.librofulltime.wordpress.com Writer, proofreader, editor, transcriber. Also runner, gym-goer, volunteer and BookCrosser! My married name is Liz Dexter but my maiden name and the name on the books I write is Liz Broomfield.

    Liz Dexter

    Thanks for visiting my blog, I have added you to my Feedly reader and will look forward to reading more of your posts. This is a really helpful one. I would add that women’s refuges often love to have handbags, as often a woman has left without hers. One of my local independent ones fills them with toiletries and little pampery items as a welcome.

    Reply
  5. Ana Daksina – A poet is the strangest sort of soul You in this life may e'er expect to meet More broken even while more truly whole, Innocently intending well, more sweet Than any but a five year old should be Unfit to meet a callused world's demand Or to behave aught expediently — All grace in flight; an albatross on land Do not the all too common error make Do not fall into the too easy trap Avoid the fatal egoic mistake Imagining that poet be a sap Powerful spirits, classic and antique, Give voice when poets ope their mouths to speak

    Ana Daksina

    Truly great post!

    Reply

  6. Pingback: Are Charity Shops Misunderstood? -

  11. writegardener – Sans Sun – I am a gardener in love with the spirit of Nature --- plant, animal, human, medical, you name it --- it's the most natural teacher for righting one's life. This blog offers those insights and inspirations as well as an occasional musing about subjects that touch me deeply.

    writegardener

    Very informative post. And thank you for the follow too. 🙂 Warm wishes to you —

    Reply
      1. writegardener – Sans Sun – I am a gardener in love with the spirit of Nature --- plant, animal, human, medical, you name it --- it's the most natural teacher for righting one's life. This blog offers those insights and inspirations as well as an occasional musing about subjects that touch me deeply.

        writegardener

        Well, thank you so much, Cheryl. I appreciate your taking the time to let me know that. 🙂

        Reply

  14. Pingback: 5 Alternatives to Charity Shops: Give clothes to people who ‘need’ them – Tonya LaLonde

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