Is your closet on the verge of an explosion? If so, you should consider donating! If you are anything like me, your goal is to donate clothes to someone in need anytime you do a closet cleanout. With summer beginning to set in, I plan on doing just that. After a long and strenuous school year like this one, it is important to sit back, relax, and reflect on just how fortunate we are.
Here are three ways you can do your part to support the less fortunate and minimize your closet simultaneously:
1. Dress for Success
Starting its operations in 1997, Dress for Success is an international nonprofit organization with the goal of empowering low-income women by providing them with professional clothing as they seek employment and strive for economic independence. So far, the Dress for Success team has expanded to almost 150 cities in 25 countries and has guided more than 1.2 million women towards their goals of self-sufficiency.
2. ThredUP
ThredUP is an online thrift store—perfect for that socially distanced lifestyle. They believe in a sustainable fashion future that “[inspires] a new generation to think secondhand first.” With their software, you can buy and sell clothing on consignment. Since 2012, nearly 78 million items have been upcycled through this site. And, while the option of selling your clothes for cash is available, they also provide a donation kit option where in place of receiving money, you can choose for ThredUp to donate $5 to a charity of your choice. While this amount may seem minimal, a little goes a lot further than you might imagine.
3. Your Local Women’s Shelter
Whether you are from the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex or not, there are millions of women in need are worldwide, especially in this unprecedented time. While the screenshot above is merely a glimpse of what is available here in Texas, the same sentiment applies worldwide. Do not be afraid to find your local shelters— they are one Google search away! Once you start looking into possibilities, you will recognize that I have only highlighted a few choices, but the truth of the matter is that I have not nearly made a dent in the numerous options there are for donating. Knowing that the clothes you no longer desire to keep could make someone’s life that much better is incredibly motivating and is definitely worth the effort, no matter which option you choose.
Happy giving!
