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

[*charmalea*]

the last time i donated was about 2 weeks ago i usually have a clean out every 2 mths as the clutter in my house clutters my headspace .

i acutally have a big pile to go very soon , i just have to go through dd's clothes and give all the smaller ones to vinnies .

Usually i have a vinnies and a rag pile , DH usually buys rags from vinnies for work at around $50 for a huge bag , so we turn our stuff into rags to save a bit there .

if its really broken or not working , i save vinnies the hassle and recycle, otherwise they waste time going thourgh stuff they cannot sell .

[anney]

Often. My dad voluntarily managed one for 15 years and still works at one so I know what a great services they are to the community. I usually think - do I know someone who could use this? and if not, it goes to op shop.

[sconeonamission]

We had a garage sale in November coz we were moving and it failed terribly. Instead of throwing it all out (and there was alot), we put it in the donation bins. Filled 2!

[indie24]

I usually try and give the stuff to people first and if I can't then I donate it to the Salvos. I have also been cleaning out mum's stuff so they have been getting alot of stuff recently

[Rach75]

we had a huge declutter session here in sept we had sp much stuff local vinnies came round with a trailer to pick it up

[AngelPunks]

I'm in the process of clearing out now so have a nice pile of stuff to donate. Clothes, crockery - heck there will even be furniture when I move since I don't need any of the stuff from my time with xh.

[briggsy's girl]

haven't done much recently as we had a bit of a decluttering binge while i was pregnant and donated everything that wasn't tied down to the black saturday/salvo's collection. in the two months before that we'd donated 3 trailerloads of things. about 12 months before that we donated pretty much a house full of furniture (single/double/queen bed, kitchen setting, heaters, fans, fridge, lounge suite) to the salvos (not to the normal op shop - that went straight to the crisis centre for helping people escape abusive relationships).

before christmas 2008 there wasn't a week for about 2 months that we weren't dropping something at the salvos for their op shop. and everytime sil came out, we'd send something to st vinnies....

need to do another declutter soon - but i'm struggling to find time with an active little poppet!

ooh yeah, we sent cuttlery and crockery as well - and when our kitchen gets updated, there will be a set of pots and pans as we'll replace them with the ones that are packed away at the moment

[*Infinity*]

Probably 2-3 times a year, mainly clothes and some household stuff in good nick. We also make good use out of our second hand book store which is great. Take books in we don't want, get new ones!!! GOLD.

[beckoes]

I have a big box under the house and i fill it over a few months and take it in to the local cancer charity shop when its full. Mainly stuff that i wouldnt hang on to for child #2...clothes, toys etc, and books etc.
Also when MIl passed away in july we gave ALOT to the vinnies in sydney, ALOT of furniture, beds, all kitchen stuff. Everything that wasnt sentimental or an antique went to vinnies, they came and took it all away for us!
Im getting married in August next year and for the wedding favours im collecting little sherry/port type glasses from the local op shops, about 20c each so a pretty cheap solution to an expecive item.

[Rouge]

Awesomeness! I hope that people who are reading this and perhaps have never donated think about it Recycling doesn't just mean food containers. Even old Christmas decorations or lights! It all helps!

[maz]

Recycling doesn't just mean food containers. Even old Christmas decorations or lights! It all helps!

OMG did you see what I donated??? One box full of christams deco's that I was sick of the sight of but still perfect.

I also donate food that I get in my Chrisco hampers to St Vinnies food drive the boy's school have every year. Every bit helps

[ss_storm]

i have a big bag of clothes to take in...just have to get off my bum and take it to the store!

[Rouge]

LOL Maz yes I have my third eye watching you!

My mission over the next 4 weeks is to do a 27 fling boogie once a week. With 27 things we don't need to take to the op shop

[Ozstar]

We donate regularly and we donate anything and everything. We did a BIG clean out just before DD arrived and another before Christmas. I already have another bag of clothes to go. I sorted out all our old baby things today and have contacted our local womens shelter to find out if it is any good to them before I give it to the op shop.

[Doing my best]

Every time I have a clean out. Before I had DS.

I check if family/friends need or want anything, then anything else goes to the op shop. Anything that is broken goes to DH's work to go in the skip there.

[~Kim~]

Ha Rouge a girl after my own heart!
We do regularly via the 27 fling boogie lol. I have an ongoing bag in the linen room and an ongoing pile in the garage.

[Bathsheba]

Great thread Rouge

We have a red jeep shopping trolly type thing that is our family "To Go To The Op Shop" receptacle. Once it's full DD and I take it up to our local Savers op shop. Then we go in and have a look around and try to only come back with it half full! ROFL! If I had a set of unwanted glasses it would go to Savers. I would never chuck out something that is at all vagely useful. I have a real Depression mindset.... maybe inherited from my grandparents (who lived through it as they are in their 80s and 90s).

Savers has an affiliation to Diabetes and Kidney research i think... so that's where my money goes I guess. I love how they give you a loyalty card and every time you donate you get a percentage off your next purchase. You can also use your EFTPOS cards there.... and their stores are huge (big and bright like a department store) with trollies and everything sorted on shelves so there is minimal rummaging and looking for right sizes and colours. Womens tops for example are sorted onto racks according to size, colour and whether they are short or long sleeve. They also aren't too expensive. Some of my favourite pieces of clothing have come from Op Shops. I also like how shopping at Op shops minimses demand and saves the world's resources.

[Ellee05]

I always give "stuff" to the op shops. I prefer to take my stuff to another town if I have the choice. I hate seeing ungrateful "low lifes" (for want of a better word) wearing my good clothes. I do however love to see those who truely are unfortunate wearing my stuff. I used to be too embarressd to give things like bras but now if they're in good condition I give these too. I figure to somebody else they'll be nice too.