Officials: Collection boxes often aren't about charity

A white steel container planted near Main Street in Sayville says: "Thank you for donating clothing, toys and shoes." But the cast-off garments heaped inside aren't going to charity, Islip officials say.

[Greta story]

Excellent story. It's about time someone looked into this situation and educated the public.

[glad i left long island]

i was in africa a few months ago and all the kids are wearing these clothes, they are sold wholesale on the open market for pennies a pound and are resold all over the world. operating expenses are nothing for these boxes lets see
buy box+leave box out+collect clothes+sell=profit
hmmmm

[Mike Long Beach]

I could name names, but these bloodsuckers who place these boxes throughout long Island are nothing but a bunch of crooks. Most of the garments are shipped overseas. A good part of the clothes go to Arab nations. And are sold by the piece. The vendor from the US gets paid by the pound with a higher value plased on towels. A very small part of the monies collected go to charities in the US. So the nest time you have some clothed to donate, bring them to your local church, where they will be distributed without cost to the persons in need. This has been going on for many years. Years ago I accompanied a truck that left New york bound for the Mississippi, Arkansas area to sell these disgarded garments. I was shocked than, but at least the garments would stay in the states. A winter coat might sell for $3.00 a pair of jeans 41.50. aT THAT TIME i THOUGHT IT WAS DISCUSTING. The condition has only worsened with the Global Economy--now the garments are not even being sold to our own poor. We are in a sad state of affairs if we continue to allow this to happen!!!

[JEFF4PLAY]

Another scam on the island of long...
Donate to your church...

[Scam]

I agree with 'Mike Long Beach' that it's better to bring your donations to a local church where they GIVE them to people that are in need.
I'm curious how they justify arresting someone for taking clothes out of those boxes,when the boxes themselves are thieving and illegal?

[Save Long Island]

Give your clothes to charities that you know are legitimate. St. Vincent de Paul is reputable, so is Goodwill.

There are many people in need, yes, even on Long Island.

[BOOMER]

People are poor because thy choose to live that way. I take my use cloths to the dump HA!!!

[Rich]

You can also give to the Lighthouse Mission in Patchogue. They are real also.

[Just Wondering]

Also Vietnam Veterans of America - they'll pick up your donations at your home.

[anonymous]

Not only is that not going to the poor, what about when they want you to donate money for some organization. There was a time when Waldbaums was asking for a donation a (1 dollar) and I forget what it was for b/c I was never interested. I never give b/c I myself don't think it's going where its suppose to be going.

[exislander]

The collection boxes are handy for people who just want to get rid of unwanted clothing etc. Better than throwing items into someone's dumpster, alley or front yard. Let them be.

[_Melissa _]

If you have stuff to donate, contact a charity directly to find out where to donate. It's also a good idea to check out charities on the Better Business Bureau website to make sure they are legit www.bbb.org

[liner]

exislander wrote:

The collection boxes are handy for people who just want to get rid of unwanted clothing etc. Better than throwing items into someone's dumpster, alley or front yard. Let them be.

How is it better than throwing it in the dumpster?

[Stinky Von Bottom]

I thought everyone knew this? Just like all of the "Charities" that Kids come to your house Soliciting money for. They are NEVER from your Neighborhood.

[SpongeBob]

Big Brothers and Sisters is supposed to be a good one. I donate Clothes and Toys to them.

[cat]

So many places to donate clothing and other items..

Pronto in Brentwood

They do not charge the people that come in to clothe their family...they direct them to specifc areas...depending on what they need.
Never trusted those drop boxes and now I know why !

To help women living in shelters and going on job interviews..(big sizes only as I found out when I called)....Dress For Success -google it for locations.

[cat]

...once upon a time I donated men's dress shirts-must have been 30 of them..I washed them, ironed them, folded them and brought them to a local Salvatation Army..they thanked me..I handed the folded shirts over..they, without missing a beat, threw them on a pile of clothes..with most landing on the floor...that was the last time for S A.

[Maureen]

I am so glad that you have done this story. In Glen Cove there were several of these illegal collection boxes. One at Stop and Shop, one at King Kullen and one at the CVS on Glen Cove Ave. I called the number on the boxes and got the same result. The property owners at the CVS shopping center worked very hard and had them removed. The boxes at King Kullen and Stop and Shop have been removed. People really don't look when they want to donate clothing. Thank you very much for doing this story and exposing this scam!!!!

[Jingles]

If you call Big Brothers they will come and pick up your bags of clothes. Also household items. They leave a receipt for you to use at Tax time.

[Unknown here]

I usally have a yard sale and sell the clothes and make the money in my own pocket . what every I dont sell gets Donated To P.A.L they come to your home and pick up what you donated for them and give you a certifcate towards your incomes taxes , the last load I donated were 15 lawn & leaf size bags