AIBU?
Aibu to take things from outside the clothes bank
Untamedfemale · 14/10/2022 11:43
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.
Am I being unreasonable?
AIBUYou have one vote. All votes are anonymous.
girlmom21 · 14/10/2022 11:56
I wouldn't be upset if I knew my clothes were going to a family in need. Let's be honest, people aren't putting clothes by those bins because they care about the charity. They're doing it because it's easier than going to a charity shop.
If you have no other choice, do it.
KarmaStar · 14/10/2022 11:56
Your children need these clothes so take them.
just be mindful of people recording this and reporting as theft..
it would be different if you were taking them to sell on for a profit.
then yes ywbu.
most people donate to help others and I would absolutely turn a blind eye to you clothing your children.
it's so sad that you have to resort to this.I really hope life improves for you .
Untamedfemale · 14/10/2022 11:56
SBAM · 14/10/2022 11:55
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.
Thanks I’ll have a look into it x
Twawmyarse · 14/10/2022 11:57
I always leave stuff outside charity shops as there’s nowhere to park and I can’t usually get there during opening hours - the thought of people taking that stuff doesn’t bother me at all - they must be pretty desperate to do so and at the end of the day I don’t want it anymore. What general area are u in op? And how old are the dc’s? I’d be happy to send u some stuff if I have anything age appropriate?
GingerFoxInAT0phat · 14/10/2022 11:58
I thought the majority was made into rags and sold by the kilo anyway. I personally wouldn’t have a problem with someone in need taking clothes that had been donated.
I took some clothes to a bank the other day and there was bags bags of books that had been left on the floor - I was dying to have a look through them (hate the thought of books going to waste but didn’t dare.
MatildaTheCat · 14/10/2022 12:00
Twawmyarse · 14/10/2022 11:57
I always leave stuff outside charity shops as there’s nowhere to park and I can’t usually get there during opening hours - the thought of people taking that stuff doesn’t bother me at all - they must be pretty desperate to do so and at the end of the day I don’t want it anymore. What general area are u in op? And how old are the dc’s? I’d be happy to send u some stuff if I have anything age appropriate?
AKA flytipping.
Stressfordays · 14/10/2022 12:01
I wouldn't care if you took the clothes I'd left, I don't want them anymore and I've usually offered them around to friends already. If I spot a wanted post on Facebook, I'm always happy to give so please do post on there! Do you have any friends with slightly older/bigger children? They may have a bag going spare too. I always offer friends my children's outgrown clothes and they do the same.
Twawmyarse · 14/10/2022 12:02
MatildaTheCat · 14/10/2022 12:00
AKA flytipping.
Twawmyarse · 14/10/2022 11:57
I always leave stuff outside charity shops as there’s nowhere to park and I can’t usually get there during opening hours - the thought of people taking that stuff doesn’t bother me at all - they must be pretty desperate to do so and at the end of the day I don’t want it anymore. What general area are u in op? And how old are the dc’s? I’d be happy to send u some stuff if I have anything age appropriate?
Well, I can live with that if the alternative is not to donate anything at all. I used to work at a charity shop and stuff being left outside was just part of it - takes 2 mins to take it inside, no biggie.
thepurplewhisperer · 14/10/2022 12:03
@Untamedfemale My lovely, if you need it to help clothe your children, please take it.
The people who have donated it did so to help others, you are being helped. Just do it considerably and sensibly.
Hard times need solutions.
Many of the LA's do a coats through their children centre. I know ours do, also wellies.
Might be worth a phone call.
Xx
Untamedfemale · 14/10/2022 12:04
thepurplewhisperer · 14/10/2022 12:03
@Untamedfemale My lovely, if you need it to help clothe your children, please take it.
The people who have donated it did so to help others, you are being helped. Just do it considerably and sensibly.
Hard times need solutions.
Many of the LA's do a coats through their children centre. I know ours do, also wellies.
Might be worth a phone call.
Xx
thanks will definitely check it out
WishingWell5 · 14/10/2022 12:04
If you need it of course not. I give things to the clothes bank when I'm short on time, but I'd always be happiest to give directly to someone who wants/ needs it directly. Honestly, don't waste time worrying what people think. There will always be someone who has an issue with something. Just do what you need to do. 
HanSB · 14/10/2022 12:07
If I was desperate for clothing then I would take it from the clothes dumped from the pavement. I think with most of those bins, people don't even care what charity it is going to, it's convenient and they just want the clothes to go to onto someone who could use them. I think they get sold as rags rather than sold in a charity shop.
Pumpkinsbeinghitbyfallingapples · 14/10/2022 12:08
If you need clothes, and people have given clothes to go to those who need them then it seems a very sensible solution
You will then be in a position to pass on clothes at some point when you no longer need them, so it all becomes circular in the end anyway
Gazelda · 14/10/2022 12:11
Trouble is @Twawmyarse its the charity that gets fined for the flytipping.
I have responsibility for a charity shop and we used to get absolutely loads dumped outside when the shop is closed. As the shop was operated by volunteers, it could be shut for several days at a time so the bags piled up.
The charity were at risk of a large fine.
And they became unpopular with the community because they were an eye-sore.
And the donated items were unsellable and miserable for the volunteers to deal with if they had been sitting in rain for days.
Flytipping is a nightmare for charity shops.
Untamedfemale · 14/10/2022 12:12
Please don’t take me as some kind of scrounged who can’t look after her children this time last year dh was working we had a good income etc then earlier this year dh had 10 seizures in a row leaving him with mild brain damage and a phobia to go outside so I’m currently claiming benefits not a sob story just want people to understand my circumstances before they judge but I do feel guilty taking items and I do try to donate 10 pounds a month to charity
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.