When was the last time you donated to an op shop?

[Bumperstump Cummerbund]

I hafta say, I've never donated to an op shop. However, my mum and her sisters and mum started a 'Clothes Day' when mum and her sisters had young families - they would put out all the stuff the kids had outgrown that was still good, and encourage others to do the same. They'd display it and Grandma's garage (HUGE!), and on the first Friday of the new season, everyone would flock to Grandma's to swap clothes and munch on some goodies G had made, and generally have a good time.

So everyone got new clothes for the new season, and all it cost was a plate of food! So that's where all our clothes go when we have a clearout

[Fleur]

We last donated the week before Christmas. We do fairly regularly... every time one of the kids rooms has a clean out We also have a bag under the stairs of bits & pieces that gets dropped off when it's full.

Sunflowa_girlie, that is a great idea, love it!!

[DaintreeDream]

I always seem to have an op shop pile somewhere in my house.

The last time I actually donated was about 2 months ago but it was alot, I had clothes, unopened dinner sets and wine glasses, nic nacks, toys, books and various other very usable items.

My pile at the moment consists of clothing that I never want to wear again, but is in great condition for someone else.

Our little local op shop actually just moved from a tiny little shop to one about 4 times its size so I think that is a good sign that they are recieving regular donations which is great to see .

[Indadhanu]

WOOHOO we just did We're also about to do a toy run to our local Red Cross store where MIL used to work. I feel better doing it that way, and know they actually get inside the store, rather than in the bins, because the bins in our area just get trashed

Our local area does bag days, where we get a big yellow (I think it was yellow, but the colour isn't really important) garbage bag in the mailbox, and we can put all the things we want to donate in it, leave it next to our mailbox on a designated day, and someone will come pick it up and take it to the shop for us. Great idea I reckon, heaps of people took advantage of that. It was Salvo's I think.

occasionally I find a hideous item of clothing that I can cut up and turn into something else, so it's always a bit of fun browsing around and trying to recognise the potential in some stuff.

Woohoo, gotta lova that! hehehehe!

[~Trish~]

I donate constantly to our local op shops. When I was pregnant with DD and "nesting" I took boot loads of things every week LOL!

I'm a big believer in recycling used things (hence why I have my pre-loved baby goods business ), it's so good for the environment and great for those who can't afford to buy new things. I always have a bit of a fossick while I'm dropping stuff into the op shops and have found some great stuff!

[Kitt3n]

All the time.

DD's school have an end of year disco - you need to bring a gift to give the Salvos if you are going to be let in the door. They also do a clothing and a toy run a few times a year.

A few months ago we gave a fridge, blender, clothes to Father O'Reily. If you are in Sydney and have anything to give it truly is a great cause.

[Spring Angel]

I'd say about twice a year (as a minimum). In my last donation were some clothes with the tags still on. I had bought them pre-pregnancy and decided the chances of getting back into them after three babies was fairly slim.

I also donate through work to a group that collects work wear for women jobseekers. It means they can wear a suit for a job interview or if they have recently got a job but no income yet, it means they can wear suitable attire for the first few weeks in their job until their first pay.

I also did a big clean out of toys recently and tried to find a women's shelter to donate them to but every shelter in our area had enough. A good thing I guess so I took them to the salvos instead.

DH is a bit of a hoarder and I'm not so I enjoy cleaning out and donating to people who really need it.

Spring xx

[maz]

Yesterday a car load FULL (and I have a Kia )
A heap of baby stuff, some kids papason chairs that were sitting here collecting dust and some books.

I keep teddies though and take them to the hospital's children's ward. They are very appreciative of them and give them to children who need a little someone to cuddle.