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.

[Cantthinkofanewnameatm]

@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.

Agree. The stuff left on the ground is probably binned anyway as it’ll get grubby and wet.
You could also join Freecycle for your town. It’s considered polite to offer something first, perhaps something your dc have outgrown or skme5ning you don’t use in the house. Then put a Wanted post — lots of people don’t have transport to charity shops or find it difficult to walk with bulky bags in pedestrianised areas.

[SBAM]

@Untamedfemale just a thought, if you were willing to say the area that you live in perhaps some local posters could let you know about organisations in your area that could help you? Or the name of local facebook giving group etc.

Also, you’re in such dire straits please don’t give to charity right now. Don’t put someone else’s needs over your family.

[Youdoyoutoday]

Do it if you're in need then have a sort out of stuff at home and donate what you no longer need.

As pp have said, what's outside the bin has technically been dumped and will probably end up in the bin.

[Newmum0322]

The clothes bank is surely there so the charity can distribute to people in need. If you’re truly in need then I don’t see the harm…

[JudgeRindersMinder]

@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.

Exactly this. OP I’m sorry you find yourself in this position.

I’m afraid I don’t have it in me to get on any moral high horse when someone’s in the position that they feel this is their only option.

[Manopadmanaban]

YellowTreeHouse · Today 12:24

YABVU. You are stealing from the charity - it’s really that simple.

However desperate you are, stealing is never okay, and to do so from a charity is abhorrent.


Stop being such a judgemental cow!! OP is suffering at the moment and desperate times calls for desperate measures.

[ihatesteve]

I donate to the clothes bank. I have no problem with you doing this, families like yours are the ones i hope get the benefit of my donations. Most volunteers will see it like this too, but maybe pop in and tell them what you need and hopefully they will help you out.

Also, local facebook groups (you can post anonymously if you are embarrassed) can be a great help. I often give very good quality things away as do many in my area.

[strawberriesarenot]

I give clothes to the clothes bank, but not to support any particular charity, mostly because they might be reused and might keep someone warm.

I wouldn't mind at all if you were to take them.

[Faciadipasta]

Jesus OP if you need the clothing, cant afford to buy it and it's bloody sitting on the pavement next to the clothes bin then just bloody take it. I can't believe you even feel the need to ask and I can't believe the amount of people saying YABU. WTF has this country come to?? I hope you are OK

[TheyreOnlyNoodlesMichael]

@YellowTreeHouse

YABVU. You are stealing from the charity - it’s really that simple.

However desperate you are, stealing is never okay, and to do so from a charity is abhorrent.

Don't be so ridiculous and pompous.

Stuff left outside of the collection bin has been fly-tipped. It quite clearly states that anything not inside the bin will be thrown away. So a mother desperate to clothe her children is stealing is she? Have a word with yourself. Utterly sanctimonious.

[User38899953]

@Untamedfemale

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

As someone who donates to the banks, I wouldn't mind you taking them personally before charity sorts them. However It's pretty frowned upon in general.

[Faciadipasta]

Untamedfemale · Today 12:19

user53852098 · Today 12:17

Be careful OP if you are rummaging through the fly tipped clothes as it wouldn't be very nice if people thought you had done this

I have been named called quite abit whilst doing this tbf very embarrassing someone even started filming

This is fucking dreadful. I'm so sorry you've found yourself in this position and you've had the misfortune to come across people who would do this.

[NutbushShittyLimits]

I put things in those bins. I donate them for people like yourself, who need things. If it cuts out the middle person, so what?

[Rafferty10]

I often take outgrown uniforms to the clothes bank and would be perfectly happy for anyone in need to take them

[Untamedfemale]

@Cantthinkofanewnameatm

Agree. The stuff left on the ground is probably binned anyway as it’ll get grubby and wet.
You could also join Freecycle for your town. It’s considered polite to offer something first, perhaps something your dc have outgrown or skme5ning you don’t use in the house. Then put a Wanted post — lots of people don’t have transport to charity shops or find it difficult to walk with bulky bags in pedestrianised areas.

It is usually wet or been walked in etc but some of it comes up amazing in the wash

[NutbushShittyLimits]

However desperate you are, stealing is never okay, and to do so from a charity is abhorrent.

Not as abhorrent as British Citizens having to scrabble about on the floor for clothes because they are so down on their luck.

Shame on us for allowing this.

[girlmom21]

@NutbushShittyLimits

However desperate you are, stealing is never okay, and to do so from a charity is abhorrent.

Not as abhorrent as British Citizens having to scrabble about on the floor for clothes because they are so down on their luck.

Shame on us for allowing this.

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[goldfinchonthelawn]

@Untamedfemale

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

Honestly? It wouldn't bother me at all. The clothes are no longer needed by people who want to see them go to a good home and not end up in landfill. If I left a bag of clothes next to a charity drop outside a supermarket and saw someone going through them and taking some for their kids, I'd be very happy.

Chairty shops often overcharge. They are no longer the place to go for people who are short of money. So if you are skint and need some free clothes for your children, I see nothing wrong in it.

I have friends who get furious that people help themselves to stuff they've dumped in a skip. Never understood that either. How can you claim someone is stealing something from you if you have thrown it away?

[NutbushShittyLimits]

OP, join a local mums Facebook page and ask for any outgrown clothes for the ages you need. Tell them you are broke and offer a bit of money for them. I bet you get loads of responses from mums who are happy to pass them on.

[Twinsandsome]

When I clear out my girls clothes I think of them going to other wee girls who need them so no I’d have no problem with you doing that as sometimes people go in charity shops daily and buy the clothes for next to nothing and resell on eBay etc for a lot more than they pay at charity shops which means those in need often moss out.

I hope things get easier for you x

[Faciadipasta]

OP can you join Facebook groups locally? We have loads round here. I always offer bundles of my kids clothes for free when they outgrow them. I only stick stuff in those bins if it doesn't seem good enough to donate directly to a shop or give to someone (they use stuff that cant be sold to make industrial rags) I absolutely don't think you're doing anything wrong taking that stuff but it must be fucking soul destroying picking wet trodden on clothes up from the pavement.
Failing that do you have charities that you can be referred to who can help? I know the schools or GPs round this way do the referrals

[halfsiesonapotnoodle]

I think it's absolutely fine as you are clearly in need and they're discarded by the previous owners. If it was that much of a problem, the charity would empty the bins more promptly, so new bagfuls could fit in.

[nonvegan]

If you need warm clothes for your kids and are in desperate times then I wouldn't hold it against someone to do this if they genuinely couldn't afford it.

[YukoandHiro]

Yes. You are being unreasonable.

[Faciadipasta]

YukoandHiro · Today 13:58

Yes. You are being unreasonable.

Seriously??? How?
If you donate stuff to those bins who exactly do you want it to go to?
And if its likely to get picked up and chucked into landfill then OP is doing the world a bloody favour anyway!!