selling something at a garage sale that was given to you? Someone gave me clothes for the baby. I am involved with the neighborhood garage sale on Saturaday. I felt a bit uncertain about selling clothes that someone gave me. I'm not sure why but I just wasn't sure if it was right. Sorry if this is silly. I have no one to pass the clothes along to and I have no space for them. When she gave them to me she told me that she didn't want them back. I was given clothes once before but the comment from the giver was "when you are done pass them along or sell them I don't care what you do with them." So, then I think I passed those along because I knew of a need. However, this time I have no one to give them to and again no room. Should I sell them or find a way to give them away? If anyone knows of an organization that could use these clothes, let me know. If I could, I'd like to give them to someone who really needs them and not just simply to Goodwill. Or maybe Goodwill is a good place to give them...what do ya'll think about this?
Well if she said she didn't want them back then I say go ahead and sell them. If you really rather give them away I would try a women's shelter or child services. We have a place here called Child Haven and its a place that holds the children until they find a foster homes , these kids never had a chance to bring stuff with them. Maybe try a place like that? Or even post something on your church's bulletin board or ask your pastor if there is a family in need that you can donate anonymously to?
Ususally, if I don't have anyone to pass the kids' stuff onto, I either donate it to my mom's church for their annual sale or to the local shelter for pregnant & parenting teens. That way, I know it's going to help someone. If I donate it to the shelter, it's given to the young women in the program who obviously need whatever help they can get. If I donate it to the church, the church sells it & then uses the money for the things they do for the community, like buying food for when they help at the soup kitchen.
At our church, there is a "clothing storehouse" for those in need. They take donations of clothing of all sizes to give away. Of course, the process isn't too tightly monitored, and we suspect some come in to collect the nicest clothes to sell. Regardless, this is where we take all of our kids' outgrown clothes or hand-me-downs that aren't our style. Before this ministry came up in our church, I'd take the kids' clothes to the pregnancy resource center. I think they are all over the country, and are Christian-based, pro-life facilities offering free pregnancy tests and counseling for women who are expecting. I don't think selling them would be out of line, either. If they were given to you, and the person did not want them back, they are yours and I say you can do whatever the heck you want with 'em.
I have looked into some local organizations and it seems from the website they perfer money. I contacted on place and she said money was a greater need. I simply asked if they perfer items or money or if it mattered...so she wasn't being ungrateful. I did not want to promise anything as I want to make sure if I give, I give to the right place. There is a church right by me that seems to be very involved in the community...maybe I contact them. My church seems to lack in this department. They give away a ton of food but not clothing items. Although...I may be able to get an address of a missionary to send some clothing to. The shipping would be expensive...but..that may also be a nice idea.
I am of the belief that once something is given, it BELONGS to the person and that person should be free to do whatever they want with it. If the giver decides to put "strings" on (ie: "If you can't use this, I'd like them back", or "When you're done with them, I'd like my sister's girl to be able to use them.", etc.), then those wishes should be followed. I personally don't like to sell things that were given to me, but I also don't feel it's wrong to do so. Since the organizations prefer money, you might consider selling them at a garage sale and donate the money. One organization that takes used clothes and sends them on is Master Provisions. I've a friend who works for them. It's a great missions organization. http://www.masterprovisions.org/ The problem in our family is that my mil will give my girls something. I pass them on to Carl's brother's wife (which is fine with MIL), but then the wife sends them on to her sister (because she has a daughter who would fit "next" in line.) And those "very nice" clothes never get back to "our" side of the familly for Carl's sister's girl. I really don't care, but my MIL sure does!!!
If something is given to you with no strings attached then you are free to do what you want with it. (((( ))))
As I said, my friend works for them. When 4-H took the kids to the Creation Museum this past spring, the kids and I went early and spent the night with this family. He took them to the warehouse. I think the kids were really impressed with what goes on there! I had Phillip take some pictures, because you know how AWANAS is about missionary stuff! Figured he might be able to use it this year, lol!
I usually just pass on or donate things that are given to me. There have been times though that we really needed the money and I sold things that were given to me. I do think that once something is given to someone, it is theirs to do what they want with it.
