What NOT to Donate to Charity

When the subject of charity arises, we all want to believe we are doing our part, whether through donations of money or used clothing, furniture, toys, and other household goods. But are you really doing anyone any favors when you donate goods that are worn out or damaged beyond use?

If you are truly charitable, you won't dump all your junk at the door of the local thrift shop or Goodwill store. Giving something that should have been thrown away is not giving at all, but only puts a burden on the receiver to find a way to dispose of your junk.

As a volunteer at our local nonprofit thrift shop (which is run by the local fellowship of churches), I help sort through many bags and boxes of secondhand items. While many of the donations are in excellent shape or even brand new, we also receive many things, especially clothing, that go into the dumpster. The next time you make a donation to the thrift shop, please find another way to get rid of these items:

Torn or stained clothing. Depending on how badly soiled or torn they are, some clothing items are still suitable for donation. Guys will buy torn or stained jeans for work, and moms know that kids will eventually get their clothes stained, so these items will still sell. Jackets and other clothing with torn zippers aren't acceptable. A good rule of thumb is that if you wouldn't wear the item yourself or put it on your own family, it shouldn't be donated. Use ratty old clothes for cleaning rags instead.

Appliances and electronics that don't work. C'mon, is this really charity, giving away something that's useless? Find another way to get rid of it. Salvage the metal and sell it instead, or give it to someone who will. I don't take time to salvage metal myself, but I have an acquaintance who does. She takes my scrap metal and gives me half of whatever she gets for it. You can usually find ads by scrap metal dealers in the classified ads of the newspaper, or in the yellow pages.

Furniture that is badly damaged. If the piece needs major repair to be put in usuable condition, don't take it to the thrift store. If you don't want that old, ugly, broken thing in your house, do you think someone else does? Throw it on a bonfire.

Computers. Ask before donating computers and accessories. Schools and charities are thrilled to get computers that have up-to-date operating systems, but some computers are now dinosaurs and can be a burden on the receiver. Donate your old computer to a recycler or refurbisher instead.

True charity is giving of yourself. It doesn't hurt much to unload old possessions, but it can be difficult to part with things we love. This is the true test of charity (love) toward our fellow man. My challenge to you is to look in your closet, in your curio cabinet, or wherever your most beloved things are, and to pick one item to give from your heart. Donate it to charity, or give it to a friend or family member who has always admired your beloved treasure. Could you do it with a glad and grateful heart? If so, you know the true joy of giving!