Helping families in need is something that many people in the United States care about, but many are not sure of the best way to go about helping families in need. When it comes to helping families in need – of which there are many in just the United States alone, it can be difficult to best know how to help, particularly if you are yourself struggling financially. Fortunately, used clothing donations can be the perfect solution, not only helping families in need, but clearing out your own closet and helping the environment to boot.
Old and unworn clothing is something that we all have – and continue to get ever more and more of. In fact, our consumption of clothing and other textiles has increased immensely. While in the year of 1930, the average woman living in the United States was likely to only have, in total, nine or so outfits on average, the average woman living in the United States today now has at least thirty outfits and sometimes even more. Unfortunately, the increased consumption of clothing and textiles means that much of our clothing contributes to the growing global waste problem, as well as levels of waste in the United States in particular. For instance, as much as twelve million tons of clothing and textiles are thrown away each and every year in the United States alone, let alone elsewhere in the world. The singular person living in the United States is likely to throw away more than eighty total pounds of textiles within that same time frame, contributing immensely to waste in America.
However, charitable giving is one way that will not only help the environment, but will often go directly to helping families in need. For many reasons, including that of helping needy families, giving to charity is popular among the general population of the United States, with more than ninety five percent of all residents giving charitably in some way, shape, or form in the span of a year with nearly six billion dollars worth of used clothing donations made every single year to various charities all throughout the country and even beyond it. Helping families is a big reason for much of charitable giving, and a huge part of helping families in need is providing them with the resources for survival, such as food to eat and clothes to wear. If you are interested in helping families in need – like helping military families, to name one example – it is important that you read up on the donation guidelines of your local charity organization. While some will want only clothes that have been gently worn, others will be more accepting and will take clothes of all varieties and in varying conditions.
Donating to charity is a big part of becoming an active member and citizen of your community. Donating to charity in the form of charitable clothing donations is even better, as not only does it go directly towards helping families in need, but these charitable clothing donations also keep more clothing from contributing to waste in the United States and, indeed, around the whole world. Clothing donations are important, and the power of them should never be underestimated.
However, it can be hard to know when it is time to part with some of your articles of clothing – and it can be a surprisingly difficult process in terms of emotions as well. After all, our clothes hold so many memories – though it is a considerable consolation to know that they will be going towards helping families in need and other people in need in this country. If you have an article of clothing that you have not worn in a very long time (more than six months, if you live in a two season climate, a little longer in a four season climate), it is likely going to be time to say goodbye to it. It is also recommended to clean our your closet simply when you find that you are running out of space, as it will help you to declutter your life. Clothing donations are powerful for everyone involved, and can be hugely important.