General Discussion

MineralMan

(147,858 posts)

33. One of the homeless shelters in my city has an annual

Sat Dec 8, 2012, 08:41 PM

Dec 2012

warm clothing drive each late fall. Jackets, parkas, gloves, hats...anything warm is wanted. So, what I've been doing for the past few years is stopping by the local Goodwill and another thrift store during the summer. I buy up parkas and other stuff when it's on deep discount off-season and store them until the warm clothing drive occurs. Then, I load them all up in my car and take them to the shelter. They give them out to all comers, whether they're staying at the shelter or not.

I've also been known to ask people at garage sales to donate that stuff to me for the drive. During the summer, most everyone just says, "Oh, sure. Just take it."

It's easy to do, and I like going to thrift stores and garage sales anyhow.

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Highlight:

The DU Hat and Glove Challenge (Do you knit? crochet? Or do you have an old hat laying around?) [View all] DonRedwood Dec 2012 OP

That's a great idea! LeftofObama Dec 2012 #1

And you get the fun of throwing things out the car window at people! DonRedwood Dec 2012 #2

Um...I was kidding there. But I do recommend baggies in case they fall in a puddle DonRedwood Dec 2012 #7

Or donate them to a school. proud2BlibKansan Dec 2012 #3

Very Awesome Idea. DonRedwood Dec 2012 #4

That makes me want to donate a box. Just order them on line and have them shpped to a school DonRedwood Dec 2012 #5

I carry them in my car for the kids. murielm99 Dec 2012 #14

i used to carry my old blankets in the car DonRedwood Dec 2012 #22

I am kicking my own post! DonRedwood Dec 2012 #6

K&R 99Forever Dec 2012 #8

Our UU church has its annual Mitten Tree tomorrow LiberalEsto Dec 2012 #9

i thought those canned hams were so cool when I was a kid. DonRedwood Dec 2012 #18

Tuna is 99 cents a can this week LiberalEsto Dec 2012 #25

my nutritionist says black beans are basically a wonder food DonRedwood Dec 2012 #34

K&R! gateley Dec 2012 #10

great idea! i was so proud of our office this week, 140 peopledonated over 1000 pounds of food NMDemDist2 Dec 2012 #11

Your message just made my day! DonRedwood Dec 2012 #13

we estimated. a bag of beans was 1 point, a16oz can was 1 point etc NMDemDist2 Dec 2012 #24

This message was self-deleted by its author NMDemDist2 Dec 2012 #12

This is a great idea. I love to knit hats and recently Arkansas Granny Dec 2012 #15

wow...those must be very treasured by the lucky people who get them! DonRedwood Dec 2012 #19

little kid hats might be quicker even! DonRedwood Dec 2012 #30

I made a variety of sizes. Not all of the homeless are adults. Arkansas Granny Dec 2012 #32

We were just discussing it was time to do a shoe purge! DonRedwood Dec 2012 #36

Great idea. It doesn't get that cold here but a cool ocean breeze can cause earaches Cleita Dec 2012 #16

throw in a cheap handwarmer packet (that hunters use) and that would be a mighty fine DonRedwood Dec 2012 #20

What a thoughtful suggestion lunatica Dec 2012 #17

I hope it moves some people to lend a hand in an easy way :0) DonRedwood Dec 2012 #23

That's a great idea. sabrina 1 Dec 2012 #21

I really should start knitting Warpy Dec 2012 #26

I don't think I have the patience to knit... DonRedwood Dec 2012 #35

I do knitting on autopilot while the TV is on Warpy Dec 2012 #37

I think I just got my knit-crazy neighbor to do some hats :0) DonRedwood Dec 2012 #38

Schools need them, too. knitter4democracy Dec 2012 #27

schools are always great to give to...i always tell people to take left over art supplies to school DonRedwood Dec 2012 #40

I've done this the past couple of winters.......... mrmpa Dec 2012 #28

good idea!! DonRedwood Dec 2012 #31

K&R Sherman A1 Dec 2012 #29

One of the homeless shelters in my city has an annual MineralMan Dec 2012 #33

Very good idea. DonRedwood Dec 2012 #39