How to Donate Clothes in Maryland

Posted by Horizongoodwill on July 1st, 2015

The average American discards an average of 68 pounds of clothes every year. Apart from recycling fabric, donating clothing to charity is the best way to put your closet cast-offs to good use and to keep them from clogging landfills. Organizations like the American Red Cross, Vietnam Veterans of America, The Salvation Army, and Dress for Success, Career Gear, Big Brother Big Sister Foundation, Planet Aid, and Goodwill are perfect places to donate your spare clothes. You can also give them to local churches, community outreach centers, homeless shelters, and missions. All of these organizations can put your unwanted clutter to better use.

Charitable organizations and institutions often distribute donated clothing to victims of disasters or resell them and then use the proceeds for various community projects. For instance, Goodwill Industries offers one of the most wide-reaching community outreach for low-income individuals and families. They have outlets in many states, townships, and communities across the United States, providing a way for people to help the less fortunate.

It is common knowledge that Goodwill Industries accepts clothing and many other types of donations, but not many know exactly where the proceeds of their charity are used. Nearly 90% of every dollar made by your local Maryland Goodwill retail locations goes towards helping residents of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania gain valuable job training. Projects also assist people who have disabilities and other barriers to employment overcome challenges and become more independent and productive workers. Now that you know where your donations go, you will find it more fulfilling diving through your stash of old clothes as you make your yearly contribution. Here is how you can donate your clothing in Maryland:

• Declutter and collect items of clothing that you no longer wear. Not only do you get to free up closet space, you also get to discard unwanted clothing or those that no longer fit you, while doing your part in building a better community.

• Prepare your clothes for donation by going through all your pockets. Be sure to check for valuables or you will end up giving away more than you intended to. Only donate clean clothing that is not damp, wet, or covered with pet hair.

• Place donated clothes in any suitable container like a basket, box, storage bin, or even a plastic bag and simply drop them off at attended donation centers or the nearest local Goodwill store.

About the Author:

This article was written by Horizon Goodwill Industries. They are one of the top leading human service agency and networks of non-profitable organization. They serve 17 counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. Their mission is to help people with special needs and barriers in employment to improve their quality of life through work and related services.