USA Donations question: Salvation Army or Goodwill? - YouLookFab Forum

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USA Donations question: Salvation Army or Goodwill?

ironkurtin

Veteran

Because I have both close to me, and am wondering if there is any difference in their philosophies that I should bear in mind before I drop my gently worn things off.

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22 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

Anonymous

I don't know if it is the same as in Canada, but there has been a lot of controversy with the Salvation Army and alleged discrimination to the LGBT community.

The only stuff I have heard about Goodwill is criticism about percentages of the monies going to salary and administration instead of funding their programs.

Carla

Veteran

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but where I live the Diabetes Clothesline will come and pick up clothes and household goods you wish to move along.

<They sell to Value Village. I have given to Sally Ann, but got snagged by DC, and they come to pick up the stuff!

Anonymous

I donate to CDA also, Carla --- I think they hae a partnership with Value Village.

Parsley

Veteran

The Salvation Army (an Evangelical Christian organization) has denied rumors of discrimination against LGBTs, but they only last year removed a statement from their website urging gays to "embrace celibacy as a way of life".

I donate to Goodwill.

MsMary

Veteran

Honestly I'm not crazy about either of them, for the reasons already mentioned. I donate to http://www.outofthecloset.org, which benefits the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.

bj1111

Veteran

I prefer dress for success, unless your donation skews more casual.

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I can't recall the source, but I read recently that goodwill is not a charity but a for profit business. I was surprised to read this and wish I could recall the source.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

I usually give to Goodwill because it's close, and easy to donate to. I don't mind if they are 'for profit', because they create local jobs - and they don't mark prices up high. I see many people shop there who cannot afford to go anywhere else, and I am glad that there is a place where someone who hasn't much to spend, can still outfit themselves nicely.

Vietnam of Veterans of America is also a charity I have donated to in the past, they will actually come pick up from your house. They accept the same sort of things GW does - clothing, shoes, small working appliances, home decor, etc. Nothing big like furniture or huge appliances or mattresses.

That being said, how easy is Out of the Closet to donate to? I have to admit, if I have to load up and drive across Atlanta to get to somewhere, I usually will look for someplace closer.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Not able to access the Out of the Closet link...

Also - there is a Kidney Foundation, and in Atlanta, there was something I saw once, for developmentally disabled adults who are still able to live somewhat independently - but I cannot recall the name, and I haven't seen any flyers in a couple of years.

MNsara

Veteran

I donate often, in small batches, and spread it around town: Vietnam Veterans, Goodwill, Epilepsy Foundation, Dress for Success, Salvation Army, Disabled American Vets, etc.

I don't do this on purpose, it's just consistent with being somewhat random The secondary upside: if a charity is less than stellar, they don't get it all!

It was too easy for me to get stalled trying to figure where my donations should go (my perfectionism?), so it's best for me to put a bag in my car often, and drop it off wherever I go first. I have to trust it will get to whoever needs it

Kristin L

Veteran

I usually donate to the women's shelter in my town. They have a couple of nice thirft stores in town.

Lisa

Veteran

I donate to the closest place. In the past it was the Salvation Army but after moving now it's Goodwill. If it's not easy I won't do it. I also pass along items to a close friend who has a tight budget.

MsMary

Veteran

I have an Out of the Closet close to home so it's easy for me. I'll admit I wouldn't drive a long distance to donate.

Thistle

Veteran

I usually donate to Goodwill. I never really thought too much about it before, but they make it easy to donate, there is one not too far away, and I remember shopping there as a kid when we didn't have money to shop anywhere else.

I wanted to take the best pieces to our women's shelter, but they don't accept clothing donations.

Not even sure where a Dress for Success pick up point is.

Laurinda

Veteran

I donate to Goodwill. I have bought so many great things from them in the past I figure I am just completing the Use Cycle.

Diana

Veteran

Of your choices, I'd go with goodwill for the reason stated above.

I donate to Red Cross. Partly this is because of expediency - I have no car so I'm limited to the Red Cross and Planet Aid drop boxes near me. Planet Aid has a terrible charity record according to watchdog groups so I stick to red cross, which I have no problems with.

catgirl

Veteran

I give to a place called Bishop's Attic, since I'm not sure about SA (we don't have a Goodwill here). I have stopped donating to Value Village (though Big Brothers/Big Sisters) because they are not a non-profit themselves, and their prices have gotten so high!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, both have issues to me too. I usually donate to the girls at the coffee shop or people they know. I rarely have a problem finding a new home for things.

Susie

Veteran

The CEO of our local Goodwill recently won an award and he has done great work in making it a positive presence in our community. Besides, they make it so easy with convenient locations and extended hours so from a practical standpoint GW is my choice.

kkards

Veteran

i donate to goodwill, its not perfect, but it is non-profit, and they do a lot of job training. i looked into dress for sucess, but at least in my city, they were very restrictive on what they would accept, and they had very limited hours.
AMVETS is another charity that will take all kinds of things, and i am planning on having them come and pick up some old furniture later this summer

rachylou

Veteran

Well, the U.S. is the land of *touch my snake* religion. Our religious/philosophical freedom comes with a long, tall, cool glass of snakeoil. I think the rule of thumb is to ignore the rantings and do business on a practical level. I frankly am suspicious of Goodwill, Salvation Army, Out-of-the-Closet, etc. etc. but the only folks who creep me out in my jaded nature are HOPE. By all reports, they're into adopting "little dark babies" as a way of evangelizing "the dark continents."

DonnaF

Veteran

A few organizations like Goodwill will accept virtually anything in decent shape. Since they are close and have long hours, I can pull in, and they will remove the huge heavy bags from the back of my car, most of my donations go to Goodwill. However, I like MNsara's approach of spreading around the donations, so maybe I will try that.