Family refuses to donate.

[Elinor Dashwood]

I totally understand everyone saying once its given away its not mine to worry about. It was just odd to me that they had kept it around. The clothing was "to nice to just give away" I just asked if anyone else had family who did this, who felt like stuff shouldn't just be given away when its good quality. (I guess bad quality can be donated ) That's all. It's over, I just found it weird. Especially, since its mostly being kept in the shed. Oh well.

The reason I posted was because when I started giving them items it was because they saw what I was going to donate and asked for it.I said that's fine as long as you donate what you don't want and just give it away once you're done with it. Then I just started giving them items thinking they are using it, giving it to someone else or just donating. Come to find out very recently that even the items they didn't care for were just stuffed in boxes and put away. Its all adult/Junior clothing so it'll fit the next kid once she is a teenager/young adult. That's why I said styles change so I'm not sure a teenager in 10 years will even want to put these things on.

So they're saving the clothing for their next child then? Why is that strange? That makes perfect sense, to box it up till it fits the next child. But you're peeved because they didn't pass it on? I think it's pretty darn frugal (and smart!) of them to hold on to the clothing for their next child. Obviously they don't care if it's out of style so why should it bother you? And perhaps they have every intention of donating the clothing after all of their children have worn it.

 

[jenlynn0808]

Sounds like you made the best of a bad situation! Good for you, and I hope you have a wonderful Xmas.

I don't think that what you are describing is anything close to what the OP was annoyed about, however. I think they would love for their stuff to keep going on, not be hoarded in an attic. Selling to help the family or donating would mean that the original donation would keep on going. I gave away all of my kids' stuff, including cribs and other baby items. I was so happy to know that it was being used. I got a call from a friend to ask if he could give the crib I gave him to someone else, and I was thrilled that it was being passed on, used and appreciated by someone else.

My original post was in response to someone else's (that I had quoted in the original reply), not the OP. Don't want you thinking I was trying to cause drama or misunderstood the OP's original post.

 

[diamondpixienc]

Exactly, I love giving to the churches. I don't care what kind of church it is or what they believe in. I rather donate that way than give it to the goodwill.

I totally agree. I stopped donating to Good Will years ago when I woke up and realized that I was merely stocking their shelves with inventory to resell I.e. a daily yard sale with a fancy store front. So, we now hand our gently used items to a family member or directly to a church, group home, or homeless shelter where the items are simply passed onto those who can use them A.S.A.P.

 

[mrodgers]

...or directly to a church, group home, or homeless shelter where the items are simply passed onto those who can use them A.S.A.P.

Don't be so quick to think that either. My mother now goes to church but she goes for social hour and bragging rights rather than anything spiritual. She works at the shop the church has for donated clothing and because she is working the shop, she is allowed to select x amount of clothes to take herself for free. She doesn't need any, nor does she need to get them for us, but being the wonderful person she is [/sarcasm] she makes sure to take her allotment every week.

Drives me crazy the things she does, but I'm only forced to deal with her on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter thank goodness.

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

I stopped donating to Good Will years ago when I woke up and realized that I was merely stocking their shelves with inventory to resell I.e. a daily yard sale with a fancy store front.

What's wrong wih that? What if your church or homeless shelter sells what you've donated? Would you stop donating to them?

I can't believe how many people give things with so many strings attached.

 

[scrapquitler]

What's wrong wih that? What if your church or homeless shelter sells what you've donated? Would you stop donating to them?

I can't believe how many people give things with so many strings attached.

This same discussion happened a few years ago on my local freecycle group. Someone came on and was complaining that she had given items to an individual who turned around and sold them. Honestly, I don't see a problem with it, if you want to get rid of them and don't want to get any money for them, what do you care what they do with it? I figure if they want to do all teh work of selling them on Ebay or bringing them to a consignment shop, more power to them! My goal is to get the clutter out of my house, what happens to the stuff once it's gone is irrelevant to me.

 

[Sandi]

I have a tale of two sisters-in-law: My daughter is a little older than two of my nieces, one belonging to each SIL. I sort of split my DD's clothing, bikes, toys, etc. between the two for awhile. One SIL asked if I wanted the items back or if she could give them to one of her neighbors for her DD. We were pleased to have the items go to her neighbor. The other SIL proudly told me how much money she made off of our stuff when she sold them at her garage sales. I try to "just get over it" but it still rankles me. (The garage sale SIL is now divorced from my brother.)

 

[gottaluvPluto]

Yes, they do. It's actually not much money when you think of what the CEO would make if goodwill were a similarly sized for profit company, and it's probably on the low end for a nationwide multi-site non-profit of that size. And I still am curious where you are getting the .22 number. There would have to be very specific legal regulations that were allowing them to pay less than minimum wage.

World Visions CEO doesn't make that. He makes about $190,000 and they pay their employees more than 22 cents!

The National Federation of the Blind fought Goodwill Industries over policies at sheltered workshops that pay disabled workers 22 cents! Basically, a loop hole in the federal government. Do some research!

So, if they can pay their CEO $500,000, they can pay more than 22 cents.

 

[BeachLove]

I have a tale of two sisters-in-law: My daughter is a little older than two of my nieces, one belonging to each SIL. I sort of split my DD's clothing, bikes, toys, etc. between the two for awhile. One SIL asked if I wanted the items back or if she could give them to one of her neighbors for her DD. We were pleased to have the items go to her neighbor. The other SIL proudly told me how much money she made off of our stuff when she sold them at her garage sales. I try to "just get over it" but it still rankles me. (The garage sale SIL is now divorced from my brother.)

Reminds me of this time I craigslisted a bunch of stuff. I had a barely used fish tank with everything. We're talking like 46 gallons with a nice base so not one of those small ones. I get a sob story on how this woman wants it for for sons birthday. They can pay $50. That's fine, she picked up and was so happy. Then I find it on Craigslist the same day for $250 obo listed as "mint condition and a steal". Then the accessories were listed for an additional $80. Very rude and I wonder if she even had a son.

 

[hiwaygal]

World Visions CEO doesn't make that. He makes about $190,000 and they pay their employees more than 22 cents!

The National Federation of the Blind fought Goodwill Industries over policies at sheltered workshops that pay disabled workers 22 cents! Basically, a loop hole in the federal government. Do some research!

So, if they can pay their CEO $500,000, they can pay more than 22 cents.

It is possible the pay rate of "$0.22" was to ensure the folks could work a full time job AND keep any government benefits. Many government programs would cut them off if they earned minimum wage. And most minimum wage jobs wouldn't pay their rent and medical coverages.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

It is possible the pay rate of "$0.22" was to ensure the folks could work a full time job AND keep any government benefits. Many government programs would cut them off if they earned minimum wage. And most minimum wage jobs wouldn't pay their rent and medical coverages.

No, it had nothing to do with them keeping their benefits.

Goodwill said they couldn't afford to pay them more money.

Salvation Army CEO makes about $130,000 a year.

 

[Eastern]

I once sold a barely used washer and dryer through a classified ad because I was moving out of state. An older woman and her husband came in and gave me a sob story about how much they could pay so I gave it to them for really cheap.

Then, her adult son and his wife came in from their vehicle to move it out, and started yelling at the woman because 'she has so many washers and dryers in our house already!' She must have been a hoarder.

So now I either give stuff away or price it for the amount I would like for it. You just can't know anyone's motivation for anything.

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

No, it had nothing to do with them keeping their benefits.

Goodwill said they couldn't afford to pay them more money.

Salvation Army CEO makes about $130,000 a year.

I've googled, but I can't find anything on this. Can you point me to an article? I'd like to be enlightened. Thanks.

 

[Sandi]

Reminds me of this time I craigslisted a bunch of stuff. I had a barely used fish tank with everything. We're talking like 46 gallons with a nice base so not one of those small ones. I get a sob story on how this woman wants it for for sons birthday. They can pay $50. That's fine, she picked up and was so happy. Then I find it on Craigslist the same day for $250 obo listed as "mint condition and a steal". Then the accessories were listed for an additional $80. Very rude and I wonder if she even had a son.

Ha, ha. That was probably my ex-SIL.

 

[mrsklamc]

No, it had nothing to do with them keeping their benefits.

Goodwill said they couldn't afford to pay them more money.

Salvation Army CEO makes about $130,000 a year.

Actually Goodwill says that it enables them to employ more people; The FLSA allows severely disabled individuals who would not otherwise be employable to make less than minimum wage; The average salary of these individuals working at Goodwill is $7.47.

World Vision states that part of their policy is that members of their board make significantly less than other charities of the same size. It and the Salvation Army are both religious organizations, which usually pay less than other nonprofits.

The CEO of Goodwill's salary is not out of line for what their responsibilities are.

 

[gottaluvPluto]

I've googled, but I can't find anything on this. Can you point me to an article? I'd like to be enlightened. Thanks.

Here is a link. If you don't like this one just google NFB and goodwill and other articles will show up. National Federation of the Blind staged a protest because of the policies.

https://nfb.org/americans-disabilities-protest-goodwill’s-subminimum-wages

Actually Goodwill says that it enables them to employ more people; The FLSA allows severely disabled individuals who would not otherwise be employable to make less than minimum wage; The average salary of these individuals working at Goodwill is $7.47.

World Vision states that part of their policy is that members of their board make significantly less than other charities of the same size. It and the Salvation Army are both religious organizations, which usually pay less than other nonprofits.

The CEO of Goodwill's salary is not out of line for what their responsibilities are.

Look, the CEO is making with benefits a little over $700,000. You don't have a problem with him making that much money while they pay some employees 22 cents, then fine. However, I have a huge problem with it! HUGE!

You can look up the 22 cents through freedom of information requests.

 

[VagueFury]

Just so you understand. Goodwill doesn't give stuff to the poor or make it cheap for them. Their goal is to make as much as possible in order to train those with employment barriers. You are not donating clothing to the poor. You are donating them to a store that supports employment training. The more money they can make, the more people they can train. That is a perfectly good charity, but if you want it to go directly to someone who can use the stuff its not the way to go. Nothing wrong with doing either, but there is no need to bash a charity for not being the "right" kind of charity.

 

[Marlea98]

So what?? There's no stipulation on what you have to do with garage sale purchases.

No, there isn't a stipulation on what you can and cannot do with your purchase

 

[Iforgetmypassword]

This whole thread just makes me think that if and when I give things to people I know, that I stress to them that the item, clothing or whatever, is now THEIRS, to do with what they wish. They can wrap fish in them, burn them, make them into quilts, use them as Halloween costumes, WHATEVER THEY WISH.

If I cared that much about what happened to it, I wouldn't give it to them.

 

[barbarabini]

I have to say this is my pet peeve. My in-laws keep everything. I just got a pair of 43 year old baby socks dropped off to me for my infant. I am not kidding. I just want to scream and say, there was a poor kid who needed these socks 35 years ago... ugh... In my house, for boy's clothes, if it doesnt fit ...its shipped out. The girl's i keep for hand-me-downs (since I have three and some younger cousins).

I try to encourage them to donate the clothes and items they dont use (and I get rid of the baby clothes when they drop them to me ( most will fall to tatters when washed.) but they dont do it.

I try to remind them that after they die, I am just calling the VVA to empty their house, so why don't they get rid of the stuff now, add a little good karma to their life and take a tax deduction. But they still won't.