The Top Three Reasons to Donate Clothing This Winter

The winter months in the United States are always chilly, but this year they’ve been especially brutal. Many parts of the country are experiencing record low temperatures, some in the single digits or even negatives. For those who are less fortunate, the winter can present several difficulties, including trouble paying for heating, transportation issues, and sometimes a lack of weather-appropriate clothing and outerwear.

However, there is one way that you can help others: by donating clothing to local charity organizations. While clothing donations are accepted year round, the cold months tend to see a higher demand for donated garments. Here are the top three reasons to donate clothing this winter:

3. Donating clothing helps the planet.

Each year in the U.S., approximately 12 to 13 million tons of clothing and textiles are thrown away. These items wind up in landfills despite being made up of the most salvageable materials on the planet. However, donating clothing to charity can actually help significantly reduce the amount of clothing that goes to landfills. In 2011, around 2 million pounds of clothing were recycled or donated in the U.S., and that number can continue to increase as more people start donating.

2. Gathering clothing donations is the perfect excuse to clean out your closet.

One of the biggest reasons that families tend to donate clothing items is because they can accumulate so easily. Everyone knows about “spring cleaning,” but this task can truly be done any time of the year. The good news, too, is that just about anything you donate will be accepted. Clothing donations go toward helping families in need first, but after that they are often sorted according to usefulness. Roughly 20% of donations are given to thrift stores to sell; these businesses typically benefit programs for the needy. Finally, anything that can’t be worn again can often be recycled, which helps the planet. And donating is easy when you call for a clothing donation pick up from a local charity. This means no lugging boxes or bags of clothing to your local charity but having them picked up at your door instead.

1. Clothing donations are perfect for helping families in need.

Above all, clothing donations are a necessity during the winter. Charities especially look for warm clothing like sweaters and sweatshirts and outerwear items like coats, boots, scarves, hats, gloves, and more. Because clothing donations are used for helping families in need, they can come in all shapes and sizes. Adults and children alike rely on clothing donations, so make sure you clean out your closet and those of your kids, too.

Have more questions about donating clothing to charity? Leave a comment below.