Charitable Giving: Giving Old Clothes New Life

By Michele Blandino

Those of us with children are inevitably faced with piles of clothing that our children have outgrown. Since kids have a habit of outgrowing their clothes before the garments show even the slightest sign of wear, many parents try to find new owners for them. While those lucky enough to have friends and relatives with younger children have an instant pipeline for their outgrown clothes, there are many others who are at a loss as to what to do with these perfectly wearable outfits.

Clothing Collection Boxes

For some, the solution is to bring the clothes to one of the many clothing collection boxes that dot the parking lots of neighborhood shopping centers. The clothing that goes into these boxes is then parceled out to people in need. However, this is not always the case. Depending on the social service agency that maintains the box, clothing may be picked up daily, weekly, or sometimes not at all. Often, these boxes are vandalized which means that the clothes never make it to their intended recipients.

Fortunately, there are alternatives.

Foster Families

Children placed in foster care often arrive to their foster homes with little more than the clothes they are wearing. While foster parents are given a stipend to cover food and clothing, it often isn't enough to meet all of the expenses associated with bringing another child into the home. Foster families - particularly those that take short-term placements - are generally very appreciative of any donations of gently used clothing. To find out if there are any foster families in your area who might welcome your donations, you can check with The National Foster Parent Association.

Homeless Shelters

Homeless shelters are another good place to send your outgrown clothes. Similar to children in foster care, children living in homeless shelters usually bring very little with them. Your donation can help make these children feel better about their predicament.

Families in Need

You can also inquire at your child's school or your family's place of worship about any families who may be in need of your clothing. Often, schools and churches act at the intermediary for families who are in need, but who do not want their plight made public.

While putting your child's outgrown clothes in the neighborhood collection box may be the easiest solution, it is clear that there are plenty of other ways to ensure you are giving these clothes new life. These are just a few ideas.