Did you ever hear: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for lifetime." Lots of donations are useless and the homeless would not even want them.

Why was that a "bad experience"? Fibers can be recycled and perhaps that is where that mountain was headed.

That's what I was thinking. Maybe they are giving her a chance to get some work experience because she can't hold down a job anywhere else and has responsibilities? There is more than one way to help someone.

Stupid thought- it's saving all those fabric items from the garbage heap either way! Besides, it's keeping the thrift store alive by showing a demand for the used items, meaning it will still be in business when the poor people need it. It's dumb to classify what you will use that fabric item for.

I confess to buying thrift store curtains to make a Halloween costume- as curtains they weren't very good because of some runners and wear spots, but the fabric has a new life whenever my daughter wears her Hakama.

When someone asks me a question that I'd rather not answer, I start opening my purse and say, "Oh great! You're writing a book and since I'm going to be included, let me give you one of my cards so you can make sure I get a copy." Not one person has taken a card yet! I'm sure there are all these books floating around out there with me in them, and I don't have one of them!

I was concerned about Goodwill throwing away perfectly good items so I read on their website:

Why should I donate to my local Goodwill rather than another thrift store?Goodwill Stores are linked to a great cause — 82 percent of Goodwill’s revenues go directly into employment and training programs for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment!
For-profit thrift stores sometimes arrange to use a charity’s name to collect donations in exchange for a flat fee or a percentage of the revenue. Often this deal is not generally publicized, and the percentage that charity actually makes may be less than 5 cents for every dollar spent. Make your donations wisely!
It seems like Goodwill services vary in different geographic locations. Why is this?
We are the corporate headquarters for Goodwill and we work with an autonomous member network. Our member Goodwills strive to identify the needs of the community and the demand of local industry for employment. Based on the needs of the community, each local Goodwill designs programs and services that give Goodwill graduates the skills they need to find work right where they live.
What happens to donated items that aren’t sold at Goodwill stores?
Our goal is to try to generate money to fund Goodwill programs from every item that is donated. So in most cases, we’ll do what we can to get items in salable shape.
As for items that can’t be sold in our stores, we’ve found other creative uses for them. For instance, some member Goodwills recycle old clothing scraps into industrial wipes (cleaning cloths) for industrial buyers. Other items that are too damaged for retail sales are sold to salvage brokers.
If I shop at a Goodwill store, will I be depriving disadvantaged people of stuff they need?
No. Goodwill serves disadvantaged people by educating, training and placing them into jobs. By becoming gainfully employed, these individuals gain resources to buy the things they need. Many disadvantaged people who are in training or are employed by Goodwill Industries are offered vouchers or discounts at Goodwill retail stores.

Sometimes people donate "trash" just to get rid of it, and just because someone is "needy" doesn't mean they will wear anything. I was raised poor, so I speak from experience. One of my favorite hobbies is yard sales and I'm just amazed sometimes by what people think "someone can use it" entails. I attempted to pick up some items on Freecycle and on a couple of occasions I found it was a person getting someone else to haul off their trash.

I think it's great if anyone can find clothes at Goodwill and other thrift stores to re purpose, and make something beautiful out of something un-useable., while still raising money to help people.

You are a "skit", girl! Great comeback!

I'm a bellydancer and get all kinds of strange reactions when I'm asked what I'm using trim, sequins, and tissue lame for.

Some questions I've been asked: (mainly at JoAnn Fabric)

You do that naked??? (What?? seriously??)
You a terrorist?? (What?? seriously??)
Your husband LETS you do that?? (What?? seriously??)

<giant eye roll>

I do not worry about poor people not getting enough stuff at the thrift store. They are usually better dressed than I am.

I shop at resale and goodwill, salvation army, etc...I am always looking for stuff...
The attitude of a couple of people at certain shops will prevent me from going back to these particular shops...but at others....they will call me when something they think I need comes in....

There's a lot of truth to what you say. I volunteer at an organization that provides free clothing to children in foster care. Much of the 'free' stuff is donated used. Most of the time, we get clean, well cared for clothing. But I have personally opened a bag and started sorting a bag that had used toilet paper (not much) and dirty underwear in it. That bag went directly to trash.

Well it's too bad you met the quilt shop police but as far as the homeless man in the size 4 plaid skrt - you never know. LOL
In all fairness must share an article that I once read on-line - there are not only homeless men and women but now many homeless families too. Hopefully as the economy gets better this will change for the better too.

Whooop! Whoop! I have this great mental picture of guys in agarage working on cars wearing tuxedos!

Well doggone it; even the thrift store people have opinions now .. LOL I bought some shirts to turn into aprons for the GD's and the lady asked me if the shirts were for me and I said no they are going to be made into aprons. The look she gave me .. WOW! wouldn't even count back the change .. Oh well .. LOL

That's why I donate all my items to the Salvation Army! If someone really needs something, they will give it to them. Of course not everything that's donated is usable, but they make good use of a lot of things.

Where I live there are 3 thrift stores within about 30 miles of me...I am always amazed at Mercedes and Cadillacs, and other very high end cars parked out back! LOL...can't park in front...someone might see them! I say our cash is as good as anyone elses..shop for what you want..it all goes to the same place.

Well said.

Our Salvation Army store sells the items. Our Good Samaritan Center gives all items donated away.

Not only should they not critisize, (because of people like us and interior decorators they've raised their prices in my part of the country. Items that used to be a dollar or two are now four and five.) but they should thank us.

good for you. I don't get to thrift store often but my grandma has a list of stuff to pick up for my mom and I when she sees it. She's goes every week. She's gotten some really good stuff for us to "just cut up" too.....lol.
Anything that can be recycled/upcycled/reused should be. :) Can't wait to see some of your projects. Hope your going to share them with us.

I could shop anywhere but I like to check out places like our local trifts and occasionally Goodwill or SA. In one Goodwill, I found a brand new Norwegian wool sweater with pewter clasps for $2.98. It was too small for me but I got it for a friend. In the little thrift store that supports or local woman's shelter, I found a brown suede zipper front vest that fits like a dream. It was $20 but looks new. Yippee. In that same thrift store, they had 17 yards of dragon fabric. Probably for someone's drapery project. It was less than $1 per yard. I almost bought a brand new leather sofa and chair but hubby put his foot down because we had no room.

I do like the smaller thrifts over Goodwill since they are much more likely to get interesting items out on the floor.

I collected a mountian of wool cloth from recycling wool clothes for my rug hooking from thrift purchases.

In Indianapolis we have THREE Goodwill Outlets and a Goodwill auction plus a lot of regular GW stores. We have 4 Value World's, a DAV thrift store & numerous SA and all kinds of other little thrift stores. Then there are flea markets and antique malls. I think it is because we don't have basements and we have garbage rationing - yeah we get one can big enough for a homeless person to sleep in... There is a lot of good stuff at the thrift stores. I don't buy new clothes any more and I don't sew them from scratch - I buy good quality clothes from the thrift stores and some times I find something with good fabric and then re-use the fabric. Sometimes I find fabric at the thrift stores. It isn't hard to add clutter to the house either.

when i shop at thrift -if the clerk feels the need to comment on my purchases i simply state--'oh it will all go to good use'; smile, pay & walk away...there's no need to offer more information than needed- it's really none of their business; when i go to Penneys & shop for granddaughters, daughter, mother, aunt, sons...all at once- no one feels (justified) in commenting on the various sizes/styles/types of purchases---why would it be any different if i'm shopping at goodwill or challenge mountain?...all that matters is that i pay for my purchases- when i go out the door what i do with them is only my business...i've bought clothing at a store having a good sale- walked out & dropped the purchases into a donation box...would the clerk at Penneys have a heart attack if she knew i just bought that stuff (and threw it away?) nope- the store made their money- i've shopped at many thrift stores looking for good wool---sometimes clerks have commented on what a nice suit, skirt, jacket that was---i simply say---Yes, isn't it wonderful? smile /pay and walk away...

I recently purchased two wool suit jackets from Goodwill to felt, but when I got them home, I decided to wear them before I felt them. They are perfect for taking the dogs out, walking to the mailbox or to the paper box. When I worked I wore them all the time rather than a winter coat which is always too heavy and bulky for me.

I never mention why I am buying something. My very first quilting project was made from men's plaid cotton shirts. I still purchase them occasionally for quilt projects when I want to use plaids.

what are some of the things you look for? I would love to make some jean bags. Please advise!

If the cashiers at my local 'Savers' knew I was cutting up leather coats to make accessories, they'd probably have a cow! It's just none of their business what I do with my purchases and I have long ago learned not to mention my intentions! They just don't get it!!

My daughter went into the thrift store once and bought some brightly colored jeans for a braided rug. The clerk asked who would wear things like that? Rose looked mysterious and walked away.

Our stores all know what I do with my purchases and they are friendly and encouraging. They love when I bring in quilts to show them that contain fabrics from things I bought in their shops. They, in fact, will sometimes give me a small extra discount when I buy a lot at one time.

Sizes up to lady's 12, including children's. Any larger and the tote is too big, unless that is what you want. I look for ones that have nice detail on pockets, like embroidery or jeweled that is in excellent condition, unless I want to add my own themed "bling", then I want fairly plain ones. Unless I want a distresses and well worn look, I want jeans that look new. Also, they have to have belt loops for the ties. I also find it a bonus when a pair have design on pockets and matching design down the leg or legs, because I can use that for matching inside pockets. I found 2 pairs of NYDJ jeans, size 4 and 6, one in white and one in chocolate brown, both looked they have never never been worn, and snapped them up! One was $6.99 and the other $4.99. I think they sell new for about $90.00. I got them home and really had a hard time cutting them!! However, Both were WAY too small for me, so I made them into really nice jeans bags. I think I posted photos of them a couple months ago.

As a young bride I use to work for Goodwill Industries in Southern Calif. when DH was stationed at El Toro.
I don't donate to Goodwill and only give them my money if they have something I want to buy. I donate all unused items to Salvation Army and give generously to their red buckets. Goodwill is a big business, Salvation Army is for truly helping.

As for someone asking me what I'm buying thrift store items for I would answer with it's a secret.

I think the discussion has gone from rude clerks to the charity industry. Yes, it is an industry. I volunteer for a dog rescue thrift store. All items are donated ( and some are a doozie) and all workers are volunteers. Anything that is un-sale-able goes to rag pickers who pay by the pound. All of the money raised goes to the dogs and their care. Last year we were able to rescue and find homes for 700 dogs. Thrift stores make a LOT of money!! But a RUDE CLERK should never be tolerated regardless of where you shop!!!!!!!

We donate our gently used clothing to the homeless shelters. We also donate our aluminum cans to one of them. Most of the furniture we no longer use goes to the Goodwill.

We have also went and bought children's jackets at the Goodwill to give to the homeless shelters.

It's my understanding that these stores are open to make a profit. Cannot imagine why anyone would put a limit on something, especially when it was donated in the first place. The more sold, the more they can fund the programs. Some folks can be very small minded.

I agree with you completely. What you do with it after you buy it is none of their business. Bad enough we have quilt police, now we have thrift store police too???

I almost shop exclusively at Thrift Stores in Knoxville. Knoxville has several large "chains" of thrift stores, and Goodwill is one of them. Another one is supposed to help feed the homeless, but their prices are too rich for my blood! On the other end of the spectrum, one store sells all their clothing for $1 a piece (children's clothes 3/$2). Their selection is hit-or-miss, but they have signs all over the store with rude signs. It was designed to make clothing affordable for "regular people", so some of the signs say, "No re-selling" (my husband jokes that he is going to tell them I'm a reseller). I understand where they are coming from, and I'd really hate to see them try to determine what could be sold for higher prices than other things.... However, I've been known to walk out of there with a large garbage bag full of men's shirts and giant-floral dresses, etc. Nobody is going to wear that XL Romper from 1988, so I'll spend the $1 for it!
Goodwill... they have 1/2 price weekend once a month. Those are the only times I go there. Got my son a great wool sweater for $2 and figured if he didn't like it (who knows with him?!), I could make myself some awesome mittens. He liked it, so I'll have to wait until he grows out of it for my mittens!

My thought is if they REALLY wanted the clothes to go to the homeless they would GIVE THEM TO THE HOMELESS. The thrift shops in our area are trying to raise cash to support their ministries one of which is to feed the homeless and the hungry. You can't do either of those things with four plaid skirts.

exactly..now I don't have to post it, you already did.....

Good reply...All they should care about is making money for their cause not what people do with what they buy....

At our local thrift shop the "good" stuff never gets on the shelves. Acc to reliable sources the workers sort through and take what they want and then stock the rest. One woman was taking lots and was selling it at her own private garage sale. She was caught. My daughter gets lots of her kids clothes there because they are growing so fast. I have found some really nice stuff for quilting and wearing. My fav was a wool jacket from Nordstrom (still had the tag on it) for $20. Original price was almost $250. I haven't noticed critical people, just indifference.