“How do you donate clothes to Red Cross?” is a question becoming more and more common as of late. When you think about it, it makes sense. We want to take care of our industries in light of a fluctuating economy and troubled budgets. We want to give back to the communities that take good care of us. We want to keep the environment healthy even through the daily strain it’s put through providing for millions of individuals. To donate clothes to Red Cross is to reverse harmful waste, put money back into the economy and create a more resourceful world. Before you open up your closet, look below to learn more about what your simple donation can do for the world around you.
Did You Know?
Let’s start off with some quick facts. Did you know that at least 70% of people in the United States give to charity on a yearly basis? These can be as broad as accepting any sort of gently used item to more specific causes such as accepting living room furniture. All in all, 3% of total American income is given to charities — the annual value has since totaled $660 billion for non-profits, which can only continue to grow from here. Clothes donations are a wonderful way of helping out every layer of society.
Americans’ Purchasing Habits
Americans love to buy clothes. Studies have shown the average American will consume nearly 20 billion garments on a yearly basis — this is as many as 68 garments and seven pairs of shoes per person or more than one piece of clothing purchased weekly. American Red Cross donations regularly accept clothes of all types as long as they’re gently used. This means no large tears, holes or burns. Over 60% of frequent donors cite ‘giving back to the community’ as their main incentive for donating clothes to thrift stores or Red Cross.
Americans’ Donating Habits
We know that Americans are fashion-forward and regularly dedicate their budgets to buying shirts, sweaters, dresses, jeans and shoes. What about donating? The year 2015 saw charity proceeds from the sale of donated goods to thrift shops, specifically, exceeding well over $2 million — this was both for charitable programs nationwide as well as worldwide. According to the EPA, the average American will throw away 10 pounds of clothing per year.
Americans’ Environmental Habits
Throwing away your clothes is not just wasteful, it’s potentially harmful. Landfills are a necessity to store all sorts of trash away from society and wildlife, but as of late they’ve been growing too large for comfort. They risk creating harmful bacteria, using up finite space and creating a more hazardous environmental reality if not checked. Clothes are chock full of useful materials that can be recycled and reused, such as cotton, spandex and latex.
Donate Clothes To Red Cross
Helping out your community, your economy and your environment is all possible when you donate clothes to Red Cross. The American National Red Cross is the 13th largest American charity as ranked by private donations, receiving over $680 million back in 2014 and seeing more donations by the day. All day and for every day of the year the American Red Cross provides relief for families the world over — your clothes are an incredibly helpful and renewable resource for all parties. Your donation is even tax deductible, provided you keep your receipt and record it when tax season rolls around. When you donate clothes to Red Cross, you donate a better future for all.
