Donating to a crisis pregnancy center?

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

**I know some people here volunteer is crisis pregnancy centers and was hoping to get a few answers about donations…

do you guys generally accept all baby/toddler clothing or just newborn stuff? What about toys? Crib mattresses?

I have several things I’d like to donate but our center is severely understaffed this summer and no one is around to answer the (non-crisis) phones…

my next choice is St.Vincent dePaul…
**

 

[1ke]

All the CPCs I’ve worked with take all of the above.

 

[Brenda_V]

Birthright accepts gently used clothing up to 24 months. Furniture on the other hand has legal implications that unfortunately our courts have upheld - if a crib or mattress were say damaged in some small way (as in not noticeable) but still given to someone the CPC can be sued if a child is injured in said crib or on said mattress! The only reason I say this is because there was a CPC in California that was sued (it was not a Birthright) but this law suit formed our policies - we don’t want to have to shut down because we can not afford to stay open because someone got a used crib from us (that other CPC had to pay a large sum for “reparation” or something like that).

It is quite frustrating at times because we get calls for these kinds of things all the time. Now Saint Vincent de Paul may or may not take furniture, it just depends on how the one near you operates.

You might want to put the items up on Craigslist.com (I think that is right) and let the person who needs them get a hold of you, we have been known to check the list and pass the information on to the expectant needy parent. We did nothing but connect the person in need to the person who could fill their need.

Brenda V.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

**Thanks…

I don’t have any furniture, just the crib mattress (excellent condition) some gently used clothes, and some infant toys (all good condition). We will still make sure to get a hold of someone on the phone before we take stuff down there for sure.

I often give stuff away to other charities but this time I really want to make sure they go to people who truly need them, not ones just looking to save money.**

 

[kage_ar]

You might also contact your local Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society or simply the Parish.

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

You might also contact your local Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society or simply the Parish.

**Thanks, that’s why St.Vincent dePaul is next on our list:thumbsup:
**

 

[LovingHim]

This is not aimed at the person who started this, it’s just for everyone considering donating to any charity that deals with the poor. One of the things we hated most working at the crisis pregnancy center was when people gave us garmets/furniture/toys that were just so hideous (holes, broken to the point of being non-repairable, bad stains–many were bodily fluids! , dog chewed, moldy, etc) That says to me you might as well just slap the poor person right in the face, like this is ALL the likes of you deserve. I know people are like “well it’s better than nothing” this is SO not true. It truly is an insult, and we would just trash the things for them, we would never dare give them away. We’d fix, mend, clean what we could, mostly with little or no luck.

So, rule of thumb, if you would no longer put it on, or use it for, your own child, then TRASH it. Donate things you don’t need, but would still use for your own child if they could.

I am SO happy that the person starting this is so generous in giving NICE items. That truly says you see Jesus in the poor, just like Mother Theresa! Bless you!

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

I am SO happy that the person starting this is so generous in giving NICE items. That truly says you see Jesus in the poor, just like Mother Theresa! Bless you!

**
Thanks

I have donated things in the past to places like Value Village (that sell items to the general public) that are not in great condition, but only because I know that people often buy things like that to use for something else (making quilts, washing cars, patching clothes, making costumes etc). But for agencies that give DIRECTLY to the poor I would never give something that was in poor condition…

I am glad that volunteers like you respect the dignity of the people you are helping and act as a buffer!**

 

[LovingHim]

**
Thanks

I have donated things in the past to places like Value Village (that sell items to the general public) that are not in great condition, but only because I know that people often buy things like that to use for something else (making quilts, washing cars, patching clothes, making costumes etc). But for agencies that give DIRECTLY to the poor I would never give something that was in poor condition…

I am glad that volunteers like you respect the dignity of the people you are helping and act as a buffer!**

You’re doing a great job! Besides diapers and car seats, one of the number one things we were always in need of, but couldn’t seem to get enough donations of, were cribs and mattresses!

I’m not currently a volunteer. I’ve had to take a long break. But hope to be one again one day soon, when my health improves! They were some of the best and most rewarding years of my life.