What to do with plastic religious medals, return labels etc

[observing]

I’ve wondered this for years, what does one do with religious medals, return labels, coins etc that come in the mail from charities I haven’t subscribed to? Years ago I just wrote “return to sender” on the envelope but that’s getting tiresome. It seems like once I donate to a Catholic charity I get bombarded with mail from any Catholic charity you can think of. Thanks for any advice.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

I don’t think there’s much you can do with address labels but toss them out. For other things, I keep them in a small box and when it’s full I donate them to the religious ed program at my parish. Kids love stuff like that.

And I make it a point not to donate to those charities. It seems they spend more on fund raising than on whatever service they’re supposed to perform.

 

[Joe_5859]

I keep them in a small box and when it’s full I donate them to the religious ed program at my parish. Kids love stuff like that.

Indeed. They do make nice little prizes for classroom activities.

I wouldn’t feel guilty tossing address labels just because they have religious pictures on them (though I tend to save the address labels and use them).

Honestly, you probably could throw out any of it as long as it isn’t blessed. But donating what’s usable to your parish is better than throwing it out.

 

[Milt]

Leave some of those at an adoration chapel. I do that with prayer cards for saints too.

 

[TheLittleLady]

I’d use the address labels (I need some, maybe I should make another donation

The medals, rosaries, etc.

Rel Ed
RCIA
Nursing Home/Shut In Ministry
Parish Office (people come by all the time asking for Rosaries).
Prison Ministry (talk to them and see what if anything they can use)
Whomever does Thanksgiving/Christmas food baskets or your food pantry.

 

[observing]

Thank you everyone for your responses. Because this situation has happened to me before (years ago) the only Catholic charity I donate to now is Catholic Relief Fund. But at least now I know where to donate the rosaries and holy cards I receive. I never though to donate them to churches etc.

 

[oldgraymare2]

I usually end up using the items, such as the address labels.

I keep the Rosaries, and I’ll end up giving one to someone who needs one.

You never know who might end up needing one, but I also think that it’s a great idea to give them to your/a parish, Adoration chapel, and so on.