Am I wrong????? Small vent....

[mom2alix]

This probably seems petty, but I was a little offended.

Okay, I belong to a local MOMS Club thta does various service projects in the community (as well as having fun activities for our kids). Anyway - here's the story:

We have a speaker coming in next week from a local charity that offers teen parenting services, emergency shelters for children in time of crises, foster care, etc. Our group asked what kinds if things they might like to have donated and we were told that they need diapers, wipes, clothing, toiletry-type items, etc. Pretty standard stuff. Here is where I think they went over the top: They specified that on the diapers and wipes they would ONLY accept name brand products, no store brand items for their kids! I guess Wal-mart brand is good enough for my kid, but not for charity? Also, apparently any clothing donation should still have tags on? They want NEW, not like-new. Now, I understand that some people dump junk on charities, but there is a line to be crossed. I buy some of DD's clothes on eBay in like-new condition and she doesn't seem any worse for wear. I was considering the box I had set aside to put on eBay as a donation, but apparently that stuff isn't good enough? I sincerely doubt the biggest concern for a child who has had to be removed from their home and placed in foster care is where the tag had to be cut off their clothing or if the diaper box says Pampers.

I'm really into these service projects, but I just have a hard time with charities that demand to have nicer things than I have in my own home. Does anyone else think that some charities are getting a little out of hand in their "requests" these days?

 

[Mimi Q]

I am in Junior Woman's Club, and we do projects where we give baby items to a pregnancy crisis center. They have never asked for name brand stuff. I find that odd. I don't know what their reasoning is. I do know when I am dropping stuff off at our local Salvation Army I see people bringing in stuff that definitely needs to be in the dumpster.

 

[MELSMICE]

I don't agree, but I guess I can understand wanting new items. It probably alleviates them from having to have a volunteer/employee that has to sort through a lot of clothing. Like I said, I don't agree with this though. I think "nearly new" would be fine.

As far as name brand diapers, clothes, etc..................way out of line IMO. I would look for another charity. There is nothing wrong with store brand items.

 

[Doug123]

They MUST have more of these items than they need being donated, right? They have so much coming their way that they can be picky on brand, I would assume.

I wouldn't worry about donating anything. It sounds like they're all set.

 

[CEDmom]

Wow, I haven't heard about any charities around here doing that. I think it's over the top and will really turn people off. I used Luv's diapers and Costco wipes on DD and they worked fine. As far as clothes go I also know some people who will give anything to charity no matter how ratty it is. I hate that. I think it's tough enough for a child to want for basic needs without having to accept other peoples garbage. I won't give anything of DD's to charity unless it's spotless and in very good condition.

 

[mom2alix]

I know what you mean about stuff that should be in the dumpster, but it seems like it would be better public relations to take what you get a throw out the stuff that isn't usable. I know my MIL is active in a charity in St Louis that accepts clothing and she said they have some items in bad condition that they set aside to sell to "the rag man" and then they use those funds to help their charity. The name brand thing just floored me. It's not like we're looking to give items to the charity that aren't as nice as what our children have. The majority of my friends use store brand diapers and wipes and we live in an affluent suburban area! Most of us just don't see the point in spending extra for a brand name on something they potty in and you throw away.


Added: I'm not talking about giving them clothing that's in bad shape, this is stuff that I would otherwise be consigning or selling on eBay. Just to clarify that I don't think charity means dumping your junk on those less fortunate.

 

[DoeWDW]

I would call the charity and politely state that people in your organization are asking questions about the "name brand" diapers, etc. Ask them for their reasons - I'm sure they didn't set up these guidelines for no reason at all.

 

[Pam]

Does anyone else think that some charities are getting a little out of hand in their "requests" these days?

I agree with you!!

 

[decker96]

That seems a little strange to me. We have a home for teenage mother's in our town and they are grateful for any donations. Many people donate their used baby, maternity and adult clothing as well as small housewares. The girls can choose what they want and then the rest that is in good condition goes to the store (open to the public) that they run to make money for the house. They sell the items very cheap, like garage sale prices, but they make quite a bit of money. I know someone who's on the advisory board there and she says whatever is in bad shape they just pitch, but most items they get are in very good condition.

 

[philaround]

Originally posted by mom2alix
This probably seems petty, but I was a little offended.

Okay, I belong to a local MOMS Club thta does various service projects in the community (as well as having fun activities for our kids). Anyway - here's the story:

We have a speaker coming in next week from a local charity that offers teen parenting services, emergency shelters for children in time of crises, foster care, etc. Our group asked what kinds if things they might like to have donated and we were told that they need diapers, wipes, clothing, toiletry-type items, etc. Pretty standard stuff. Here is where I think they went over the top: They specified that on the diapers and wipes they would ONLY accept name brand products, no store brand items for their kids! I guess Wal-mart brand is good enough for my kid, but not for charity? Also, apparently any clothing donation should still have tags on? They want NEW, not like-new. Now, I understand that some people dump junk on charities, but there is a line to be crossed. I buy some of DD's clothes on eBay in like-new condition and she doesn't seem any worse for wear. I was considering the box I had set aside to put on eBay as a donation, but apparently that stuff isn't good enough? I sincerely doubt the biggest concern for a child who has had to be removed from their home and placed in foster care is where the tag had to be cut off their clothing or if the diaper box says Pampers.

I'm really into these service projects, but I just have a hard time with charities that demand to have nicer things than I have in my own home. Does anyone else think that some charities are getting a little out of hand in their "requests" these days?

Sad to say [and may not be the situation here] many people who receive help from non-government sources have much more control over the system then is probably strictley proper and necessary. I know, from seeing it happen, that many of these parents just take these tagged items right back to the store and get money for them. This is why many stores will only give store credit if you do not have a receipt. Also why these same stores started offering gift receipts. Please understand in no way do I suggest that this happens in all cases nor even in the majority of cases. This only proves the very old adage that "One bad apple can spoil the whole basket." The few who do this spoil things for the truely needy by making the donors leary of continueing their support.

 

[mickeyfan1]

Several years ago I visited a transitional housing shelter as part of the United Way Campaign. It was an old motel that was being used as housing for people that were homeless but going to school, in job training, etc. They were in the process of removing all the carpets from the rooms and replacing the with Vinyl Tile. Much easier to maintain. As my husband and I owned our own flooring installation comany, we often times had leftover boxes of tiles. I offered them all to the shelter director. Her first question was, what color are they? When I told her, she said "We can't use them, they aren't the color we already have. I was shocked. VCT is NOT cheap, and I was offereing her at least 500 square feet for free. She wandered off, and her boss who was conducting the tour asked me what had just happened. When I told him he called her back and said that they would take the tile, he didn't care what color it was, that fact was it was being donated, it was brand new in the cartons, and they could make good use of it.

The boss was the director of a huge charity in the state, they had 7 or 8 transitional housings, they ran teen parent groups, drug rehab programs, you name it, they were trying to serve the communities. He told me that her attitude is was turns a lot of people off from donating, and he was sorry that she had turned me down at first. I thought that was very nice of him.

Anyway, I can sort of see the "new with tags" for clothing to keep people from dumping things on them, although it surely must limit their donation intake. The "brand name diapers?" The big manufacturers often own many of the comanies that make the "store" brands. That policy need some rethinking, IMHO.

 

[winniedapooh]

I have done much volunteer work for a homeless shelter in our area for several years. It was through all of the local churches and I was a coordinator in my church. Everyone from parishioners, to friends, to family knew to call me with good furniture and clothing. I would call the shelter and either deliver it to a person getting a new home, store it for them if they did not have the room, or they would come and get it. I am talking some really nice stuff here. Cribs, couches, dinette sets, household, you name it. One man even gave me his entire bedroom set that was 40 years old and like new, his wife had died and he could not bear to sleep there any longer. Anything not in good to excellent condition was disposed of approp. This went well for several years until the director left and the asst. took over. When I had things she would ask what color it was, because a family did not like a certain color????? She would ask for name brand wipes and diapers as well. It took the cake when they began asking for money to purchase their own as they had decide to buy all new items for families even if it meant only a kitchen table and nothing else. I have worked with economically challenged families for years and have never heard this. Frankly I was shocked, what color????? If you have a home with nothing in it and 4 kids and they are sleeping on the floor with no mattresses and you are offered a couch that is brown who cares what color it is?! Now if a child has an allergy to something eg diapers, mine did to one brand, I can understand but to demand nothing else.....Sorry if I sound bitter but this particular program almost went under because of this woman, thank-fully it is in new hands and amking a come back.

 

[Disney Doll]

I would probably find another charity to donate to since those folks seem to have all they need if they can afford to be that picky!

I agree that I wouldn't give really crummy or worn stuff to any charity...that goes into the "rag man" box, but a perfectly good item of clothing that has been "gently worn", is in good condition, with no tears or stains, would be fine for my kid, especially if I was in somewhat dire straits.

Seek out a charity that's more appreciative, and I would be sure to let this charity know why you will be donating elsewhere.