Monterey, CA For Profits Masquerading As Non Profits Hurting The Goodwill

View From A Non-Profit Serving Carmel, Carmel Valley, Gonzalez, Greenfield, King City, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Salinas, Seaside And Soledad California

There was a very disturbing story in USA Today this week about for-profits manipulating people into thinking that they are non-profits and tricking them into donating clothing and other household items.  The scam works like this.  For profit companies cut deals with stores and other property owners to put a donation bin up.  People drive up, deposit clothes and other items, thinking they are going to charity.  The for-profit company picks up the "donations" and then resells them.  Some unscrupulous organizations don’t even ask property owners for permission, and just show up and put one on the property, hoping no one will complain.  Some cities are starting to ban these after finding the for-profits aren't servicing them regularly, making them an eyesore.  Goodwill says these have eaten into their own donations.  These for-profit "clothing recyclers" have tens of thousands of bins across the nation and claim they are doing a great service by making sure these items don't turn up in the landfill.  This may be so, but these bins need to be labeled properly so people know whether or not they are giving items to a non-profit.  I would recommend dropping your items off personally so you know where they are going.  There are over a dozen reputable thrift shops on the Monterey Peninsula, some support pets, some the homeless, others children.  Whatever charity you want to support, there is sure to be a reputable thrift shop here locally which you can feel good about giving to.