Aibu to take things from outside the clothes bank

[Untamedfemale]

Just what the title says my kids need clothes and there are always bags of them outside the clothes bank a lot of people seem to go through them and they often end up on the floor etc so do you think ibu to have a look through and take some.

[PoundOfNesh]

Is your actual question ‘am I being unreasonable for stealing from a charity clothes bank’?

OF COURSE YABU

[NewWateringCan]

can you go into the clothes bank when it's open and the clothes have been sorted through?

[KimberleyClark]

Well no the stuff belongs to the charity/organisation operating the clothes bank so technically you are stealing it.

[vodkaredbullgirl]

🤔1st post

[Untamedfemale]

It’s the banks that are outside the supermarkets etc a lot of the stuff ends up outside of it

[TabithaTittlemouse]

It’s incredibly sad that it has come to this. Could you volunteer for the charity?

[Untamedfemale]

@vodkaredbullgirl

🤔1st post

What’s wrong with that I’m a long time lurker never felt the need to post and now that I did want to ask a question I registered 😒

[PoundOfNesh]

@Untamedfemale

It’s the banks that are outside the supermarkets etc a lot of the stuff ends up outside of it

But the charity still collect, even if it doesn’t fit in the bin!

[Untamedfemale]

If there are things all over the floor I don’t see the problem we are in in desperate times

[MRSE20]

I’m not sure if morally I could do this

It depends though, are you desperate? Are you broke and need clothes for your children that you can’t afford - I could feel sympathy for someone rummaging through the bags if this was the case.

[Oceans12]

If the clothes are outside the clothes bank on the floor/pavement and the option is that they get wet, and are no use to the charity, then I would say 'help yourself'.

[spiderontheceiling]

I donate to these "bins" as it is often more convenient that going to a charity shop (pedestrianised town centre) and I want to help someone in need. If you happen to be that person in need, then I'd be quite happy for you to take it.

[jay55]

Just do it. And when you're feeling a bit more flush donate a fiver to the charity.

[Untamedfemale]

@TabithaTittlemouse

It’s incredibly sad that it has come to this. Could you volunteer for the charity?

I wish but I’m a full time carer

[MeowMeowPowerRangers]

If you desperate do it.

I donate to clothing banks a lot, and if I knew someone was desperately searching through it for clothes for their little ones or themselves it wouldn't bother me one bit.

[Untamedfemale]

@MRSE20

I’m not sure if morally I could do this

It depends though, are you desperate? Are you broke and need clothes for your children that you can’t afford - I could feel sympathy for someone rummaging through the bags if this was the case.

Yes it’s not as though I’m selling them etc I have actually asked a few people sometimes who are about to donate if I can take the stuff and they have happily agreed

[JRHartly]

YANBU, if you need them you need the. Take them, but take only what you need and what you can use.

[Ihatethenewlook]

I’d see no problem with this whatsoever. The charities are hardly desperate for donations when they’re letting their clothes banks overflow to the point people are chucking their bin bags all over the pavements. The ones outside are likely to get water damaged or even covered in dirt if the bags get ripped, they’ll just end up going to the rag man if not the bin. I wouldn’t take stuff out the banks themselves, but out of the bags on the floor, definitely.

[TonksInPurple]

YANBU the stuff on the floor gets binned anyway. So go for it, if you read all the writing it says not to leave stuff outside it.

[Cherrysherbet]

I’m sorry you are in this position op.

YANBU

[MRSE20]

It’s kind of like, if you’re desperate and struggling and you take bits from outside a food bank I’d understand that. But someone who can afford food yet takes from the vulnerable just because it’s there, no I don’t agree with that

[SBAM]

Have you checked if there are community re-use or surplus hubs in your area? The one local to me will help without a referral. Also Facebook groups can help - there’s one called Pass It On for people to pass on children’s items for free. You could also do an anonymous request on your local Area Mums type Facebook group for people to pass things on to you.

[Untamedfemale]

@Ihatethenewlook

I’d see no problem with this whatsoever. The charities are hardly desperate for donations when they’re letting their clothes banks overflow to the point people are chucking their bin bags all over the pavements. The ones outside are likely to get water damaged or even covered in dirt if the bags get ripped, they’ll just end up going to the rag man if not the bin. I wouldn’t take stuff out the banks themselves, but out of the bags on the floor, definitely.

Yes I never actually take the stuff outside and literally only get kids clothes and a few toys etc

[CourtneeLuv]

Do what you need to do. Until the charity collect it, it's technically not theirs, it's dumped.

And those bins aren't particularly charitable anyway. It all gets sorted and sold abroad.