There are many non-profit organizations in our community who are seeking donated items so they can help provide valuable programs and services to the community.
The Salvation Army of Weyburn seeks non-perishable food items, and right now are collecting items for their Christmas hampers. Donations of clothing, household items, furniture and toys are also accepted at the Salvation Army Store.
There are also places like the Family Place that accept children’s clothing for their clothing closet, or the Canadian Diabetes Association who have clothing bins around town.
Our community is even big enough that we have special projects such as Operation Christmas Child, or the Farm Credit Canada “Drive Away Hunger”.
All of the projects collect much-needed items for struggling families. However, one of their biggest challenges is when people attempt to donate items that have been damaged or are unsafe to use.
I do not understand why people would donate items that are not in good condition. Nor do I understand why someone would donate an item that they consider ‘unusable’ to any of these non-profit organizations.
There are still those inconsiderate people who leave donated items outside, because they dropped off the items during non-business hours. This is not helping the organization! It is making more work for them, because once items are left in poor condition they have to be thrown out immediately!
There are so many people who take advantage of donation areas. We still have issues with people leaving electronics at the cardboard/paper bins at the City of Weyburn lot. We still have issues with people leaving mattresses or couches by the side of the road.
This is littering. You are breaking the law when you decide to do this. You are also littering when you leave donated items outside a building after their business hours. Realistically, it should be littering when you donate poor condition items to these places too!
Take the time to consider your donations. Remember that donations are going to families in need, and if it is something that is broken or damaged, the donation won’t really benefit that family. Do not donate half of a product either.
I encourage everyone to be generous with their donations, whenever possible. Take advantage of a bulk sale at a local grocery store, and buy an extra couple of brand new products to send to the Salvation Army. Take advantage of two-for-one sales at clothing stores, and donate the extra piece of clothing.
Remember that often the clients who are using the services of the Salvation Army, or other organizations who give away items, are usually struggling between paying bills and mortgages and getting grocery items. So make sure that the food bank is well stocked with welcomed items that your family would like to have in their own kitchens.
Make sure that when you donate an item, that you are thinking about the person who might receive it and that the donation is truly gently-used or brand new.
