Quality over quantity when donating

Northwold resident and founder of Trader’s Corner, Loraine Ginns writes:

I have re-typed this letter many times as my mind searches for the right words. It is not an easy letter to write. Firstly, let me thank all donors (to any charity) in the country. You are making a valuable contribution daily without which many organisations would not be effective.

We are indeed a society who loves giving but sadly, many get it wrong. Our job is helping charity shops to convert their surplus clothing into cash – to pay their rent and staff – and benefit poor people with affordable clothes, curtains, bedding, etc.

The charity shops are overwhelmed though by the volume of clothing donations that is of no use – either to them or to the poor and needy.

Donations of torn and filthy clothing and shoes clutter the shops as they do not have the facilities to fix or wash anything. These items are finally destroyed at the expense of the shops.

Besides torn and filthy items, one can also mention outdated, over-sized and threadbare items that have no dignity left in them.

If I can appeal to South Africans, I would ask to give, in the spirit of Ubuntu (The belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects us all), so that we give with the intention to bless others. Another way of putting it would be to give in a way that you would like to receive, if you were poor.