Helping those in need is a value many Americans hold dear; in fact, 70% of people in the United States donate to a charity each year. However, many Americans want to give but simply aren’t sure where to start. There are many worthy causes and charitable organizations deserving of aid, but the American National Red Cross is certainly one of the most popular ways to give back to your community.
Ranked as the thirteenth largest charity in the United States, the American National Red Cross uses private donations, blood drives, used clothing donations, and food drives to provide relief for families and communities — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Unfortunately, homelessness doesn’t get a day off, and neither does the need for clothing donations. In 2015, more than 564,000 people were homeless on any given night. When you contribute to a Red Cross clothes donation, you can be assured that you are giving back to families in need.
Those of us who are fortunate enough to have homes typically acquire 68 garments and seven pairs of shoes per person, per year. According to the EPA, an average American also throws away around 10 pounds of clothing every year. What if we chose to put those garments to better use through a Red Cross clothes donation? How many people could we help? Not only could we assist our environment by recycling, but we could provide warmth and protection for those who are unable to do so for themselves.
If you don’t want to donate your clothing, there are other options available through the Red Cross. You can donate at a blood drive, or give non-perishable items through food drives. You can also give a monetary amount to specific causes or to disaster relief; 3% of American income is given to charities each year, so this is a popular option as well. But if you want the satisfaction that you are simultaneously eliminating unnecessary waste and giving your garments new life from those in need, Red Cross clothes donation can be a great way to go.
When we donate clothes to Red Cross centers, we are helping to strengthen our community. We help ourselves when we help each other. Through American Red Cross donations and drives, we can provide relief for those who are suffering — and there is no better thing we can do for others. Giving our time, garments, food and other items is a good deed that keeps on giving throughout the year.
