Help Us Help Others
Donate ClothingWe will gladly accept clean, usable clothes.
Please drop them in one of our bins.
The bins are accessible 24 hours/day.
CLOTHING DONATIONS
How It Works
Community members drop off clothing at one of our clothing bins located at various Catholic Churches and other community locations around the State of Rhode Island.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP Rhode Island) collects the clothing donated by the community in our bins. The clothing is provided to those we serve directly, or through community partner organizations and agencies in accordance with our mission, as well as selling the excess clothing to fulfill our mission to be an inclusive community that fosters personal transformation through friendship with comprehensive service to those in need.
We Accept
✓ Clothing
✓ Shoes
✓ Sneakers
✓ Belts
✓ Purses
✓ Linens
✓ Pillowcases
✓ Blankets
✓ Curtains
✓ Stuffed animals
We Can’t Accept
X Furniture
X Mattresses/box springs
X Electronics
X Household items
X Medical supplies
X Books
X Toys
X Garbage
X Lamps
X Automobile parts
X Flammable products
X Large appliances
X Food items
X Car seats
X Strollers
Why drop off at a SVDP clothing bin?
1. Our bins are sturdy, safe, and simple.
2. Community members know the SVDP Rhode Island’s reputation, locally and nationally, as a non-profit organization dedicated to serving local neighbors in need.
3. We guarantee that the bins remain clean and attractive. We own our own bins Every week we monitor and empty our bins. Year round our service team is available to perform maintenance on the bins. If you notice a bin is overflowing or messy, please call our office and we will have our team come out within 24 hours.
Why we collect
1. According to the EPA, 85% of clothing in the U.S. is thrown away. This means that only about 15% of clothing that could potentially be re-used is collected using existing methods.
We are able to distribute clothing to Rhode Islanders who can use it, as well as provide direct assistance to Rhode Island individuals and families in need through the revenue generated from the sales of excess and unwearable clothing.
2. We are able to distribute clothing to Rhode Islanders who can use it, as well as provide direct assistance to Rhode Island individuals and families in need through the revenue generated from the sales of excess and unwearable clothing.
Why host a svdp bin?
Many companies use nonprofit names and logos for licensing agreements. It appears you are donating to the cause; however, it is really the for-profit company receiving the big benefits. They collect the clothing on behalf of the organization, and in return, the nonprofit will only make pennies on the dollar and the for-profit company makes the rest.
CLOTHING DONATIONS
Donors Beware
1. Many companies collecting clothing and textiles are “FOR-PROFIT” companies collecting strictly for the benefit of the owner’s pockets. Although there is nothing wrong with them doing this for profit, they are often misleading in their materials and marketing, appearing to be a nonprofit, of existing to support nonprofits.
2. Some say they “purchase” clothing and textiles from the community and distribute them to people all over the world. In reality, they pay the land owner a small fee to place a collection bin or shed on their property for collecting the clothing and textiles. They then “sell” the clothing and textiles all around the world to distributors and retailers.
3. Many companies use nonprofit names and logos for licensing agreements. It appears you are donating to the cause; however, it is really the for-profit company receiving the big benefits. They collect the clothing on behalf of the organization, and in return, the nonprofit will only make pennies on the dollar and the for-profit company makes the rest.
why choose
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Why donate your clothing, shoes, and textiles to SVDP Rhode Island over other companies and organizations?
It’s simple.
1. We own and operate our business. We do not license our brand or logo to a for profit company, nor do we have another agency service or process our donations. We are a non-profit organization, our priority is serving our neighbors in need, right here in Rhode Island
2. We strive to keep our community clean. SVDP Rhode Island is dedicated to keeping our bin areas clean and professional for our own reputation, and in gratitude to our community, who without their generosity, we would not be able to fulfill our mission.
3. We provide jobs to our community. SVDP employs our own staff to service and empty the bins, providing jobs to Rhode Islanders. Volunteers and staff sort and distribute clothing to those in need.
4. You are helping local neighbors in need. The excess and unwearable clothing, shoes, and textiles donated are currently wholesaled out to generate funds that directly support our mission and direct assistance to Rhode Islanders in need 100% of the donations and revenue remains in Rhode Island to serve Rhode Islanders.
5. You are helping our future become possible. In the near future, we plan to have a thrift store/service center to more efficiently provide for our neighbors who can use our help. This is only possible through the continued, generous, community donations of clothing, shoes, and textiles.
HELP US
Host A Drive
Ask your friends, family, or other group members to collect donations of clothing, shoes, handbags, and other fabric items like blankets, sheets, towels, and curtains. This is a great way for churches, leagues, scout troops, and other community partners to help us help others!
