Do you donate your clothes to friends, thrift stores or the needy?

Donating my clothes and clothing swaps are something that I've done for my entire life. Growing up, my mother and I used to ship my adorable Esprit sweaters and other goods down to Texas for my cousins to wear. Likewise, my cousin's mom would ship up the clothes her daughters no longer could wear to me. I mean, when you buy quality things, they last a while. It was like a fun game that kept me connected to my cousins who lived several states away

My mother always had a philosophy that we should donate to people who we knew. We never donated to Goodwill because she didn't know who would use the clothes. My mother always worried that if we donated to the Salvation Army or even some charity groups, the workers would get first dibs on the best gear and the neediest people wouldn't get a shot at them.

Growing up in Chicago, we knew plenty of people through my mother's high school who could always use a coat or item.  When my mother and I cleaned out my closet, she always asked her friends if they knew a needy child (mom is a retired educator). We got a sense of satisfaction from knowing for sure that my beloved pieces would help a little girl look fly for free. I remember one time hearing about one of the girls we donated clothing to was excited to fit into one of my bras. TMI, but I wanted to share. You never know what someone else may need. We take so much for granted.

Now, as an adult, I've donated to Goodwill a few times for the tax write off. But recently, I donated clothes to a man who takes them back home to Haiti. I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to give clothing away to people who I know would appreciate them. I've gained a few pounds so most of the clothing would still be worn by me if I could fit them. A friend of mine also donated to the gentleman and reminded me that it's better to donate to needy people who you may know personally. Tax write off be damned.

Nowadays, with the economy being rather shoddy, a lot of people who were once very stable are now going to thrift stores to shop. So, needy people DO buy from thrift stores.

Also, people are buying the best items at the thrift store and selling them for a profit. I am a frugal capitalist, so I admire their hustle.

So does it matter who gets your donated items? Would you be upset if your donated clothing were sold for a profit on Ebay? Would you be upset if something you donated ended up in the hands of someone rich yet frugal? Should people care? Do you donate to thrift stores or to needy people you may know personally? Should you donate to get the tax write off?

Comments

[Chandra Johnson-Greene]

I never really thought about who got the items that I've donated before...I guess I'm just happy that they're being re-used in general. But I always let friends and family rummage through my bags first before heading off to Goodwill.

[Moneymonk]

I donate avidly to Goodwill. Recession or not I still donate

[Diane]

Great point! I have thought about this myself too as I donate often to Goodwill and the VA.

I typically donate what I absolutely can't use or don't need anymore. Personally, I don't care where it ends up once it leaves my house, as long as it isn't in the land fill right away. Ultimately, I would love to think it all goes to someone who really needs and can use it. For tax write offs, it never benefits me greatly for it to matter too much. However, I do keep the receipts.

[MommyMel]

With a growing boy who outgrows clothing fairly quickly, I do my best to make sure they go to where it's needed most. I prefer to go with someone or a friend of a friend who could use/need than Goodwill or Sally Ann.

[Tomeiko]

I mostly donate to my friends, co-workers and church members. Especially my children clothes the items I buy for the kids are precious to me and I like to see others with them that I know would appreciate them. My baby is 9 months and I have been so blessed by several friends last year who gave me infant and toddler clothes. At that age they outgrow them often. Now I am giving the infant clothes that are too little to a friend and church member. Passing down blessings is how I see it. The tax write off is not important. These are tight times... I am not ashamed to save a few dollars at thrift stores for myself or my children it saves money.

[Cindy Schutt]

I like to donate suits to Covenant House Florida so the kids have interview clothing. Not only do I feel good donating to an excellent worldwide charity, but I may even help a homeless kid get a job. (And yes, I do work for Covenant House, but it doesn't make my donations any less important.)

[Coco]

I don't worry too much about where they go. I'm a pack rat that needs to get stuff out of my apartment. I let my friends go through stuff before heading to Salvation Army too. If I had more time, I'd probably sell the good stuff on Ebay myself.

[The Frugalista Files]

Thank you everyone for your comments! I think I should worry a little bit less about who gets the clothes. I'm going to focus on the fact that it's good for the environment and someone else may be as happy with the clothes as I have been. Yes, I am clothing obsessed. :)

[Natalie]

We always donated to Utah's version of Goodwill - Deseret Industries. We shopped there too, not often for clothes, but for books and housewares. But it seems my mom always had a "DI" pile going. I don't think we ever did it as a write off, but just because we were always taught that's what you did.

There was only my brother and I in the house - no one really to pass things off to either.

[Product Junkie Diva]

I certainly give away my items that are in good condition. I have given things away to different organizations as well as to people who I knew personally. I have never donated for a tax write off. I think I would be upset if someone were to profit from my offerings...
PJD

[CC]

My family donates clothing and other items to a number of charities. Their websites usually state where the proceeds from the sale of our items go to. That is good enough for me.

[Peter]

Your mom is right - donate to people you know. I want to make sure that my donations go to people who deserve them the most. And it is true that some who do not need that much get better stuff than those who do, so I always make it a point to give to those I know. And nothing beats the pleasure of actually witnessing the effect of what little help you can give. My Well Of wealth