Spring Cleaning? Plenty Of Arizona Donation Centers Still Open
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Now may be the perfect time to do a little spring — or summer — cleaning, particularly in your closet. And you can do it with intention.
For a few tips on how best to do that, we turned to Elizabeth Cline, a journalist and author who has written about the disposable nature of fashion today.
When cleaning out your closet, she says notice the countries where your clothes come from and the materials from which they were made. She says those things matter because we’ve developed a disposable attitude toward clothing that ignores far greater consequences on labor and the environment.
"I owned more clothes than anything else in my life, and yet, I would have said I think fashion is silly," Cline Said. "So, I think that there’s this kind of contradictory narrative in our culture where a lot of people still think fashion is not something we should take seriously."
And if you’re consuming fashion mindlessly, she says, you’re missing the value it holds for those who don’t have hundreds or even dozens of items to choose from.
"Don’t throw clothes away. Try to find a way to recycle them, donate them and sell them. There could be things in your closet that you’re no longer wearing that still have value."
Value to resellers but also to those who are going without. That sweater you don’t wear anymore because it’s last year’s style could keep someone warm. Or, if it’s damaged, it could be made into something new.
Your local donation centers may know best. Options may be limited right now because of the virus, so check in first to find out where to take your items and what they need most.
“Casual clothes, jeans, sneakers, T-shirts, socks, shoes. We need underwear,” said Jessica Berg with St. Vincent de Paul. The organization’s thrift stores are closed but still in dire need of donations to clothe those experiencing homelessness.
“I would encourage people to use the address 2120 S. Third Drive, and we have a main security desk where we can come out wearing a mask and help you unload your car," Berg added.
Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona has re-opened more than 20 of its stores around the Valley and state, with reduced hours to give employees more time to clean and disinfect stores, masks and gloves for employees and plexiglass dividers at cash stands.
On the donation side, Goodwill is also offering a contactless experience, where an attendant can either take items out of your car or roll you a bin to collect your donation.
The Show spoke about all of this with Courtney Nelson, vice president of Marketing and Communications with Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona.
