Giving to charity is something that is becoming more and more popular all across the United States with each passing year. In fact, it is estimated that around seventy percent of all Americans participate in charitable giving, and a collective three percent of the total income in the United States goes towards charity organizations. Donating goods in the form of red cross donations is another way to help contribute to a cause or charity organization.
Donating used clothes in the form of red cross donations is one popular way to give back to those who are in need. In fact, the vast majority of charity donors cite giving back to their communities as a main reason for their charitable donations. But for the average person without extra money to donate, red cross donations can be impactful in a number of important ways.
First, red cross donations help the average person in the United States to cut back the amount of waste that they generate. In the United States, and in many places around the world, consumption, particularly consumption of clothing textiles, is at an all time high. In fact, the average person in the United States consumes about seventy garments and seven pairs of shoes purchased per year, totaling nationwide to around twenty billion garments in that same span of time. Unfortunately, much of this clothing goes to waste with statistics showing that the average American person throws away as much as ten pounds of clothing every year. More likely than not, this clothing piles up in landfills. Fortunately, american red cross donations can help to prevent some of this waste. Clothes donations to organizations like the red cross not only help out people in need, but help to lessen our overall environmental footprint. Many people don’t know that one hundred percent of used textiles are able to be donated, even if they are not in a good condition. While around half of donated textiles are used again and sold as used clothes, some are even repurposed in more industrial manners, such as the stuffing for a couch.
Donating to the American Red Cross is a good home for your used clothing donations. The American Red Cross has a long history in our country and is considered to be the thirteenth largest charity in the United States. Though it receives a good deal of private donations – nearly seven hundred million dollars in 2014 alone – it can also always use clothing donations. The American Red Cross provides not only used clothing to families in need, but shelter, food, and even blood. The American Red Cross provides these services every day of the year, meaning that the demand for Red Cross donations is likely to be high.
Donating your used articles of clothing can help to clear out your own closet as well, decluttering your life at least in a small way. For those who live in an area of the country with only two or less climates, a good rule of thumb is the six months rule. It’s simple: if you haven’t worn it in six months, you should donate it. It’s also a good idea to donate clothes that are too small as well as articles of clothing that no longer fit your lifestyle, such as clothes from high school or even from college.
There are a number of benefits for donating your used clothes. First, Red Cross donations and the like go towards helping people in need all over the country – and even throughout the world on a more global scale. Donating your used clothes instead of throwing them away is also hugely environmentally friendly, reducing by a significant number the billions of pounds of old clothing articles that end up in landfills every year. Finally, your used clothing donations help you to simplify your own life, getting rid of clutter and opening up more space in your closet. Letting go of your old clothes is not always easy, as many of us develop sentimental attachments to certain pieces of clothing, but it is usually for the best to let go sometimes.
