Many charities and non-profits have started using a new strategy for fundraising: thrift stores. Sales from American Red Cross clothing donations are used to fund programs to help people in need. This has been a win-win strategy for a number of reasons. It keeps used clothes out of landfills and extends their useful lives. For people who would like to support the Red Cross and its mission, but don’t have a lot money or time to spare, this is a good way to contribute to funding their programs.
How American Red Cross clothing donations are used
The American Red Cross has been around for over a hundred years and is one of the most trusted charities in the country. The organization is staffed mostly with volunteers and provides emergency assistance to families in need. The Red Cross is the first on the scene to help victims and survivors of natural disasters, fires, and other emergencies.
Using funds raised through charitable donations, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, blankets, clothing, and other necessities to families and communities. The work of the American Red Cross builds on traditions of volunteerism and charitable giving. Besides helping people in emergency situations, the Red Cross gives people a chance to help, through volunteering, blood donation camps, and charitable donations.
How clothing donations help the environment
Among all recyclable materials like paper, plastic, glass and metal, textiles have the lowest rates of recovery. Americans throw away about 10 pounds worth of clothing every year, according to the EPA. This ends up in the landfills, which are already full to overflowing.
In fact, the vast majority of textiles can be reused, recycled and repurposed. Used clothing donations give your old clothes a second, useful life. Most people have clothes they no longer wear because they no longer fit, or because they’re just plain bored. But for someone who finds them on sale at affordable prices in a thrift store, that smart blazer or formal blouse could make up an interview outfit.
How to donate clothes to Red Cross
Once you decide to root through your closets (and possibly also attics and basements) and put together all the old and gently used clothes you no longer wear, you can drop them off at a Red Cross donation center. American Red Cross clothes donations can be counted as a tax write-off.
Many thrift stores will also accept gently used household items like small kitchen appliances, books, dishes, pots and pans and decorated items. Like your used clothing, these will find a new home with new owners who will be happy to use them.
American red cross clothing donations are used to raise funds to help families and communities in need. The Red Cross is on call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, anywhere disaster strikes. Donating gently used clothing and household items is one way to support their hard work.