The Advocate column on charitable clothing bins was spot on ("Charity starts at home but ends elsewhere," May 5). Those ubiquitous bins, which seem to be popping up like dandelions in the spring, are everywhere. And columnist Chris Churchill is right: if donors want their old clothing to benefit a local nonprofit, the giver should pay attention to the name on the clothing bin.
Like a number of charitable organizations in the region, St. Catherine's Center for Children uses clothing bins. We have two in Albany: one at our Marillac family homeless shelter on Washington Avenue Extension and a second at our R & E May School on North Main Avenue.
In today's economy, where publicly funded human services agencies like St. Catherine's struggle to provide services for children and families, clothing bins offer a source of income for operating expenses. Third-party vendors own and operate the clothing bins, and send a portion of the money they earn back to the charitable organization whose name appears on the bin. If you see St. Catherine's name, for instance, then you know your donation will help a local organization.
Clothing bins are just one more creative solution to meet the needs of publicly funded nonprofits without asking more from the taxpayer. St. Catherine's does not have the staff or storage to sort and sell tons of donated clothing. The collection company does that, and then sends a portion of proceeds to us.
And of course, donors like Mr. Churchill have a home for that old sweater they can't bear to throw away.
William T. Gettman Jr.
Executive director
St. Catherine's Center f or Children
Albany