There is certainly no lack of respect for veterans who have served in our nation’s military and sacrificed their lives for our freedom. However, what is lacking is job opportunities and financial stability for those veterans and their families once they return from deployment overseas. The unemployment rate for veterans is 2% higher than that of regular citizens and over a fourth of military families in the United States are suffering from outstanding credit card debt.
Fortunately, there are numerous ways that you can help out. One of the easiest ways is by donating your unwanted clothes. If you’re like the average American, you regularly clean out your closets and probably make a few trips to your local thrift store with everything you no longer want or wear. Did you know, though, that there are specific organizations that accept clothing donations and use the money earned from selling those donations to offer support for military families?
That’s right. There are a handful of charities that will pick up donations and give the proceeds to veteran support groups such as The Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH). MOPH, started by Congress in 1958, offers a range of programs from education to job placement for veterans to financial support for military families. It is charities like these that are keeping our veterans and retired servicemen afloat in difficult times and easing their transition back into civilian life.
If you’re interested in giving back by donating your clothes, below is a list of some of the items that are accepted (notice you can donate more than just clothes too!):
- Clothing: outerwear, tshirts, pants, shorts, dresses, hats, gloves, sleepwear, shoes, purses, jewelry
- Kitchen items: flatware, cookware, pots and pans, dishes
- Household items: unopened toiletries, tools, blankets, bedding, towels, rugs
- Small appliances: microwaves, irons, toasters, coffee makers
Next time you go to throw away something you don’t wear anymore, consider donating it instead. Almost 90% of the clothing thrown away in the United States could have been recycled or reused. Don’t let yourself be part of that statistic. Take a few extra minutes and donate your clothes (some organizations will even pick up your donations for you). Those extra minutes could provide support for military families who are desperately in need of our help. Do something good for the people who have served our beautiful country and find a local donation center for your used clothes.