Would you want to help save our planet by donating and recycling? It’s a simple habit anyone can practice and comes with numerous benefits, including lessening discarded items in our landfills and helping families in need by providing clothing and other used household items.
In 2014 it was reported that Americans gave $358.38 billion to charitable organizations. In one survey, it was noted that many gave more around holiday seasons versus other times of the year. But while many people already donate money to charity, there are many other ways to give back.
Before You Throw Away Used Clothes, Consider This…
One source indicates that here in the United States, only about 15% of used clothing gets donated or recycled, even though nearly 100% of household fabric and clothing is recyclable, regardless of condition. In the United States, 10.5 million tons of clothing ends up in landfills each year. At the same time, 4.7 billion pounds of clothing are donated annually. For those who live in regions with little climate variation and haven’t worn a clothing item in six months or more, it may be time to part with unused clothes. For the average American, the purchase of individual clothing has doubled in the last 20 years.
Helping Families In Need: Where To Donate Used Clothing
Who else benefits from donating and providing a warm weather coat to someone who otherwise might not have one? Clothing donations can be picked up by Veteran foundations, helping disabled Veterans, children in need of clothing, and other charity organizations. In fact, many who donate clothing end up supporting vital groups with tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Code.
Not only can you support worthy causes, but these donations can be written off on your taxes. When donating an item greater in value than $250, a receipt is needed for tax purposes. For such a small item as a coffee maker, expect a tax break of between $4 to $15. An official appraisal is required by the IRS for some articles if deducting more than $500. There are also organizations accepting donations exclusively for wounded Veterans charities, and the Military Order of Purple Heart (MOPH) obtains cash converted from sales to deliver health, family support, and education for all Veterans. A similar program is also supported by the National Federation of the Blind (NFB). This foundation uses these proceeds to lobby for civil rights for the blind, technology, and promote self sufficiency for those losing vision.
Many drop off locations exist for such charities in city centers and suburbs around the country; however, not so much in rural areas. In addition to helping your local community, many products can also be used internationally. Americans donate more than 14.3 million tons of textiles each year, helping clothe people around the globe. This is indeed helping families in need in all corners of the earth.
