Advice

I've been cleaning and purging my closets and cabinets over the summer, and my experience at the rescue mission has definitely affected my procedure for disposing of the unwanted items. I recently calculated that the mission received a weekly average of 2800 pounds of clothes and household items in 2006. If you visit the mission, you'll undoubtedly encounter bags and boxes of stuff on hold in our reception area, waiting to be taken to the donation room upstairs. It seems to be a never ending state of affairs. We have about eight faithful volunteers that come regularly to sort and organize what can actually be used by our clients. They only keep clothing that is very good condition and is currently seasonal, and household items that are also in good condition. The majority of the donated items are either discarded or shipped across state to another mission that has a thrift store. So now, instead of boxing everything for donation, I keep in mind this question: "Is this something I would wear myself?" If the answer is "no," I just throw the item in my own trash can, sparing someone else the inevitable task. As you go through your own closets and finally decide to part with those plaid doubleknits from the '70s, just go ahead and pitch 'em. Trust me, nobody else wants them either.