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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Stealing from clothing banks

41 replies

Iminneed · 08/12/2023 21:43

Just what the title say’s really I have children but due to illness etc Dh can’t work so at the moment struggling on benefits and can’t even replace my sons school shoes that have a hole in them,so if I see bags next to the clothing bank I open them and sort them if I see if there are any children’s clothes I take them wash and use if not I put everything back sometimes I feel like I’m stealing but if I don’t do do it then my children won’t have clothes do you think iabu

OP posts:
Bireadwhatiread · 08/12/2023 21:44

They are designed to help people like you. No judgement here

avenue1 · 08/12/2023 21:45

Regardless of how it's seen officially, I morally have no issue with this.

Speakandspell · 08/12/2023 21:45

Of course it’s fine- it’s what they are there for! 💐

pickledandpuzzled · 08/12/2023 21:46

You’ve short circuited the process, that’s all. You should try and leave the things you don’t need tidy for the proper collection, that’s all.

In my area we have a clothes bank, and several churches run help yourself set ups. Keep an eye out for that.

Temporaryname158 · 08/12/2023 21:47

I think what you are doing is perfectly reasonable. The clothes are donated to give to someone in need. In this case you. And so I think you should have now qualms doing it.

have you looked in your local children’s centre? Some have a free clothes rail, or on free giving sites to help?

can the school help?

BoobsOnTheChristmasTree · 08/12/2023 21:48

Seeing as all that happens to the clothes donated to those "banks" is that they're shipped to places like Ghana to become a massive textile mountain (sorry I mean "recycled"), I wouldn't worry about it one bit. Crack on and take what you need.

Gro · 08/12/2023 21:48

If I put clothes in the clothes bank I wouldn't care if people in need took them surely that is why most people donate.

Officially I'm pretty sure it is illegal because the donation belongs to the charity.

GeorgiePorge · 08/12/2023 21:50

I wouldn't have the slightest issue with anything clothes I donated to a clothes bank being taken by someone and used.

I think most people who donate to clothes banks just want the stuff out of their house and not going to waste or landfill.

Sorry that things are hard for you. There are a lot of charities around that should help you with clothing donations direct though. Perhaps you can ask you health visitor or school?

VegeBurgers · 08/12/2023 21:50

If I donated I would be happy someone who needed them had them. I don’t care which way they ended up getting them.

GasDrivenNun · 08/12/2023 21:50

Does your local food bank have any children's clothes? They might be able to point you in the right direction to another organisation who can help.

RockAndRollerskate · 08/12/2023 21:50

Go for it! If I saw you do this, I would help you. I’m so sorry it’s come to this.

My city has a “swap shop” site and sometimes people ask for things, sometimes they ask “for friends” and there’s always an offer.

AlmostAJillSandwich · 08/12/2023 21:53

I'd have no issue at all with this! It's those who rip the bags open looking for stuff to sell on to make profit themselves then leave everything else strewn about in the elements i have issue with, but a parent taking what they need to clothe their kids, go for it i say.

DuploTrain · 08/12/2023 21:54

I’ve definitely seen this exact thread before.

But if this is genuine. Then yes, it’s fine. It’s a recycling bin for clothes - so no-one is missing out from you taking them.

Pinkflamingopants · 08/12/2023 21:54

Nope. Sometimes I resent giving stuff to the charity shops any more as I know the people going in and buying it probably can afford to buy new, it’s not going to those who need it. I would rather my kids old school shoes went directly to someone like you who actually needed them.

Whattodo112222 · 08/12/2023 21:54

I could never judge you for this. You're clothing your child, not selling on vinted.

MrsTerryPratchett · 08/12/2023 21:55

The organisation might care depending on their business model. Most of the people who donate wouldn't care.

I certainly wouldn't.

vodkaredbullgirl · 08/12/2023 21:56

DuploTrain · 08/12/2023 21:54

I’ve definitely seen this exact thread before.

But if this is genuine. Then yes, it’s fine. It’s a recycling bin for clothes - so no-one is missing out from you taking them.

I thought the same too.

As long as you left it tidy OP.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 08/12/2023 21:58

As long as you put back the ones you don't want and leave the bags neat, I think it's fine.

The bags shouldn't be left (or dumped) outside, not because of people taking items to use, but because people tip everything out, trample it around and leave it lying on the dirty and wet ground. Most of it goes to waste and creates a disposal problem for the charity.

Museum10662 · 08/12/2023 22:00

@Iminneed
i believe officially if the bags are outside the banks then technically they have been dumped as its classed as fly tipping, its only when the donation has been put in the actual banks that the clothes transfer ownership from the donator to the charity.

Hermittrismegistus · 08/12/2023 22:00

Wasn't this same thread posted around Xmas last year?

Iwantmyoldnameback · 08/12/2023 22:01

I use the Salvation Army bins could they help you?

Original poster
Iminneed · 08/12/2023 22:01

I’ll keep a eye out 😊

OP posts:
Museum10662 · 08/12/2023 22:02

Hermittrismegistus · 08/12/2023 22:00

Wasn't this same thread posted around Xmas last year?

most or a good percentage of threads go in cycles of similar themes

Original poster
Iminneed · 08/12/2023 22:02

Oh ok I’ll ask them x

OP posts:
Original poster
Iminneed · 08/12/2023 22:04

Yes always keep clean

OP posts: