Clothing Donations Way Down At Salvation Army
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) - This time of year, bell ringers from the Salvation Army are common place at red kettles.
But it's clothing donations all year long that help support important Salvation Army programs.
The group said those clothing donations are at an all-time low.
The donations go directly toward funding a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Minneapolis.
In the past, 30,000 clothing items a day were collected from around the state and sold at Salvation Army stores--enough to fully fund the adult rehab center in Minneapolis
Today, they get a quarter of that.
"Ultimately, it means we help less men who come to our program," said Salvation Army's director of thrift store operations, Tom Canfield.
Canfield knows firsthand about the impact of the ARC program that offers drug and alcohol rehabilitation to men for up to a year.
He's a recovered graduate.
Bryant Evanson also graduated from the program.
"The profits do go to help the guys in the program," he said. "However, there's the other end of that: Those who couldn't afford a decent pair of shoes, a new jacket, things like that--they're able to come to our stores and get those items."
Even when clothes aren't in pristine condition, they're still usable.
"We re-purpose that clothing or use that clothing [or take it to] a Third World country where someone would wear it," Canfield said.
Salvation Army officials say people may be donating less, because there are so many charity options in Minnesota.
Canfield and Evanson hope people will give old clothes this holiday season, to give new life to other men who need help.
"People who may or may not have much of a chance at happiness, success--we give them that chance," Evanson said.
If you'd like to give clothing to the Salvation Army, they have a list of drop off locations online.
There's also a number you can call to have them picked-up at no charge.
More information is available at the Salvation Army's website.
