Children are commonly taught that it is bad to waste food and possessions. This is undoubtedly true, but what about clothing?
Unfortunately, far too much clothing and fabric materials are thrown away in the United States without much thought — clothing and fabrics that could be used for helping families in need. About 90% of thrown-away fabrics are perfectly reusable. In fact, nearly 2.5 billion pounds — 1.25 million tons — of fabric were saved from landfills for used-clothing purposes in 2006. Still, common clothing and household fabrics such as cotton, polyester, nylon, wool, and rayon compose 5% of the total landfill content in the U.S. Though that may not seem like a significant portion, for the homeless in America, it makes all the difference.
Clothing donations for the nation’s homeless is one of the many things fortunate citizens can provide to the truly needy and less-fortunate. For the 600,000 men, women, and children who are homeless in America (an estimate drawn up by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), charitable clothing donations provides a desperately-needed lifeline. There are a variety of charities to support that accept clothing donations. There are even charities that will pick up donations straight from one’s house! Whatever you provide — whether it is a pair of socks or an entire wardrobe — will make a huge, sustainable difference to those who for a variety of reasons cannot clothe themselves.
Especially in this year’s frigid, unbearably cold winter, helping families in need by donating clothing will provide warmth, security, and a little peace of mind to those thousands of people that have little else to depend on. Compassion and charity is something every person of every faith, creed, or culture can embrace, and donating clothing to charity is a universal good. What may be an old pair of gloves for you can be lifesaver for those out on the streets. For more information see this.
