[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Mom passed away a bit over a year ago. We're finally packing up her clothes, and she had a LOT of them. Not going to drop it in a parking lot bin (there'd be probably half a bin's worth of clothes). I don't want to donate it to any religious organization's clothing drive.

Are there any charitable organizations that are /not/ affiliated with a church, that I can donate these clothes to? I plan on calling Haven tomorrow; if they distribute used women's clothing to their clients, they'll be my first choice. Would like to have a couple of "plan B" options if they don't.

[Two Bills]

I, too, avoid church charities, but I have always had a soft spot for the Salvation Army.
No skimming off the top, excessive wages to administrators, just all donations to fill the appropriate needs of those in need.
Plus were always first with their mobile tea, coffee and snack wagons at any major incident.
Good people.

[justjim]

Other than Churches (local churches contribute and run food banks, provide for the homeless and sponsor programs for the abused and youth, etc. Bargains and Blessings in Wildwood is a good example sponsored by The Methodist’s) My pick other than Churches would also be The Salvation Army although they are a religious organization. Another favorite of mine is Habitat for Humanity. Goodwill and Red Cross pay their top administrators too much IMHO although they have a lot of volunteers and do a lot of good. The Red Cross is there during natural disasters.

There are many non-profits doing a lot of good for the community. Volunteers are always needed and welcomed. To each their own and all for the better good for those less fortunate than ourselves.

[Mrprez]

We donated my mother’s clothing to a local women’s shelter. Did the same with my wife’s suits when she retired.

[mraines]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Mom passed away a bit over a year ago. We're finally packing up her clothes, and she had a LOT of them. Not going to drop it in a parking lot bin (there'd be probably half a bin's worth of clothes). I don't want to donate it to any religious organization's clothing drive.

Are there any charitable organizations that are /not/ affiliated with a church, that I can donate these clothes to? I plan on calling Haven tomorrow; if they distribute used women's clothing to their clients, they'll be my first choice. Would like to have a couple of "plan B" options if they don't.

I take mine to the Hospice Thrift store in Summerfield across from Walmart. They took care of my mom and I am very thankful.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by mraines

I take mine to the Hospice Thrift store in Summerfield across from Walmart. They took care of my mom and I am very thankful.

I forgot about the Hospice thrift store, thanks! My own mom had in-home Hospice care for a couple of weeks after she had her final stroke, I was with her when she passed away and the Hospice folks took excellent care of her in her final days.

The Salvation Army is a Christian organization. So no, I wouldn't ever donate to them. I'm not Christian, I don't believe in their beliefs, and I'm actively AGAINST some of their beliefs, because they go against my own beliefs as a Jewish woman.

[Aces4]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I forgot about the Hospice thrift store, thanks! My own mom had in-home Hospice care for a couple of weeks after she had her final stroke, I was with her when she passed away and the Hospice folks took excellent care of her in her final days.

The Salvation Army is a Christian organization. So no, I wouldn't ever donate to them. I'm not Christian, I don't believe in their beliefs, and I'm actively AGAINST some of their beliefs, because they go against my own beliefs as a Jewish woman.

This statement concerns me. Should the posture of other's be that they are not Jewish and would never donate to anything to a Jewish affiliation? They don't believe in their beliefs and they're actively AGAINST some of their beliefs, because they go against their own beliefs as a Christian person.

Tolerance is a wonderful thing and I try to respect the religious affiliation of others. I believe it may have been enough to state you would only want to donate to non-Christian organization. Peace to you.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Aces4

This statement concerns me. Should the posture of other's be that they are not Jewish and would never donate to anything to a Jewish affiliation? They don't believe in their beliefs and they're actively AGAINST some of their beliefs, because they go against their own beliefs as a Christian person.

Tolerance is a wonderful thing and I try to respect the religious affiliation of others. I believe it may have been enough to state you would only want to donate to non-Christian organization. Peace to you.

I acknowledge that it concerns you. My opinion is my opinion, and at the present moment, I still have the RIGHT to not participate in religious charities if I don't want to. Meanwhile, do you have anything to add to the actual topic at hand, or are you just trying to dogwhistle?

Also, just as an FYI since it is clearly not known here:

The Salvation Army IS a church. It's a Protestant Church with headquarters in England. Here in the USA it is known MOSTLY for its charitable causes, and the bell ringers outside stores at Christmas time. But yes - it is absolutely a Christian church.

[mbene]

We donate to the Vietnam Veterans of America.

[JGVillages]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Mom passed away a bit over a year ago. We're finally packing up her clothes, and she had a LOT of them. Not going to drop it in a parking lot bin (there'd be probably half a bin's worth of clothes). I don't want to donate it to any religious organization's clothing drive.

Are there any charitable organizations that are /not/ affiliated with a church, that I can donate these clothes to? I plan on calling Haven tomorrow; if they distribute used women's clothing to their clients, they'll be my first choice. Would like to have a couple of "plan B" options if they don't.

If she was, or you are a pet lover in Lady Lake you will find Sheltering Hands Thrift Store which benefits Sheltering Hands Rescue in Ocala. The store which recently opened this year .wants to fund the construction of a Rescue on property adjacent to it

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I got in touch with Haven, and they will take my mom's clothes! The women they help (battered/abused women who get temporary housing in special protective shelters) get their pick of the stuff, and whatever they don't pick gets sold in their thrift store. All proceeds from the store go right back into helping the women - often with things such as acquiring drivers licenses and passports (for example, it's not a full list).

I will always recommend giving directly to the people you intend to receive the help. If you want to help an animal shelter, donate blankets and newspapers, old cages and crates, current coupons for pet food, and of course pet food and litter. If you want to donate to the homeless, find out where the shelters are, and donate directly to them. Or - grab a tall kitchen garbage bag, fill it with clean, unstained, unripped clothing that looks like it'll probably fit the local homeless person you see outside Walmart, and just hand it to them.

Thrift shops are great if they're run and manned by volunteers. If they have paid employees who are not direct beneficiaries of the charity they represent (such as a homeless person getting a part time job there), then it's that many degrees of separation away from the charity you're trying to support.

[frayedends]

Any church of any religion should be giving donated clothes to those in need regardless of the needy person’s religion. If the organization is making a profit from the donation I could see not wanting to donate to a certain religious group. But if the clothes are going to those in need I’d find an organization that is good at distributing them.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Any church of any religion should be giving donated clothes to those in need regardless of the needy person’s religion. If the organization is making a profit from the donation I could see not wanting to donate to a certain religious group. But if the clothes are going to those in need I’d find an organization that is good at distributing them.

It doesn't matter, to me, what those churches do or don't do with the clothes they collect, because I have no interest in supporting their specific charitable activity. There are lots of people who do, they won't miss my contribution.

Meanwhile, I give where I choose to give, when I choose to give, and for the reasons I choose to give. I was asking for non-religious-based charities to give clothing to. ONE person out of 11 posts in this thread answered the question I asked. I thanked that person already up-thread. Their suggestion was the Hospice thrift shop up on 441. It was a great suggestion. I would've called it next, if Haven had said they didn't want any more women's clothing donations.

But Haven said they'd gladly take it.

[UpNorth]

Combat Veterans to Careers in Wildwood. They have a clothing thrift store off 301 that will put your donation to benefit our Vets. 96% of every dollar is used in their programs. Support our troops.