Compassion. Clothing. Conservation. continued.

Why 2 Shirts?

Part II

              In the previous post, we took a look at some sad statistics. We looked at shocking and moving numbers. Let’s discuss what happens to clothing that gets donated to the usual places…

              It is hard to tell what happens to clothing that is donated to local thrift stores. Organizations like Goodwill and Salvation Army report some data.

              Out of the clothing donation received by Goodwill, about 50% gets put out for sale in their retail stores. After sorting, anything that has mold or mildew is trashed. Items that have been in the store for 4 weeks and other items that don’t make it to the racks are sent to discount outlets and sold by the pound.

              Anything that doesn’t get sold in the outlets is sold to salvagers who bale it and sell it by the pound worldwide. Some of it is exported to Africa, South America, Asia, and other countries. Some of it is shredded and used for insulation, furniture filling, and other industrial items. Some are cut into rags and sold for industrial supply. Whatever isn’t salvaged is trashed.

              Did you notice that none of it directly goes to those in need? Now, Goodwill does use the proceeds to provide jobs and training to some in need so there is some charitable purpose.

              Some of us are old enough to remember a time when we donated items to ministries, churches, and relief efforts. We have somehow transformed our charitable efforts to a cash basis as we let our society evolve. Disaster? Give cash. Feed the hungry? Give cash. We are now told that cash is king when it comes to responding to those in need. Don’t send items, we are told. It is labor-intensive and costs money to ship things.

              Why should we be able to provide in-kind donations when we can send cash and “charities” can pay large corporations for supplies, equipment, and food, at the scene. It just makes sense we are told. It’s good for the environment because it reduces all those horrible carbon emissions from shipping things.

              I would argue that is more cost effective to provide goods we own than it is cash. It is probably a little better for the environment or, at least, no worse. Consider that we discard over 17 million tons of clothing alone each year. If that shocks you, look into how many tons of food are wasted! Does it make sense to send your cash and throw clothes in the trash? Now, there are always administrative and supply costs in charities and ministries that require a little cash…there always has been and there always will be.

              At 2 Shirts we use every donation for good. It gets sorted, laundered, and sent to ministries that serve our target populations or we provide directly to individuals in need. If an item is spoiled (stained, damaged, inappropriate etc.), we find a use for it. We will turn it into paper to make a care card that is distributed with each item. We will use it in crafts that we will later use for fundraising. We WILL use it somehow and somewhere.

              Our main focus is taking your old work polos and t-shirts, your old employee uniforms and gear, and decommissioning it. We strip it of patches and logos and replace those with new, non-branded patches, heat-transfers, and so on. We give it new life. We extend the use of coats, rain gear, clothing by getting it to those in need.

              We do not sell items for scrap or salvage. We do not trash it. We do it out of compassion. We do it because we care. We do it to conserve.

              If you have clothing, uniforms, gear… you would like to get to a good home, email us at giving [AT] 2shirts.org.

              We also need a little cash for supplies, laundry, patches and heat-transfers, storage and things like that. We manage every penny to its fullest potential. If your called to help, you can donate here.

              2 Shirts Ministry isn’t the only place in Lincolnton, North Carolina to donate. Other organizations such as Journey of Hope Ministry, Christian Ministries of Lincoln County, and the Asbury Resource Center are great causes.

              This information is expressed as opinion and editorial. The bibliography below contains the items we read when looking for data:

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