Recently, our store received a massive influx of clothing donations. First and foremost, we want to say thank you. The generosity and kindness behind every donation truly mean a lot to us. Reuse Swap Store exists because of people who believe in sharing, reducing waste, and helping others with dignity. Your intention to give is never taken lightly, and we deeply appreciate the community spirit that continues to support our mission.
However, we feel it is important to be transparent with our community about the current situation we are facing.
Although a portion of the donated clothing arrived in good, wearable condition, nearly 65% of the items we received were unfortunately unusable or unwearable. These included clothes with heavy stains, ripped or torn fabric, damaged zippers, stretched shapes, moldy smells, and items that were simply no longer suitable for wearing. While we understand that sorting through clothes at home takes time and effort, the volume of poor-condition items has placed a significant burden on our small team.
Every donation that comes into our store must be carefully checked, sorted, folded, and organized. Wearable items are prepared so they can be proudly taken and used by others in need. Unusable items, on the other hand, require separate handling and proper disposal. This process takes considerable time, energy, and resources. With such a high percentage of damaged items, our team has been spending countless hours sorting through clothing that ultimately cannot be used, time that could otherwise be spent improving the store, organizing shelves, assisting visitors, or supporting other community initiatives.
In addition to the time required, we are also facing a very real space limitation. Our store has limited storage and display areas, and at the moment, it is completely full. Boxes of unsorted donations have started to pile up, making it difficult to move around safely and to maintain a pleasant, welcoming environment for everyone who visits. We strongly believe that a charity space should be clean, organized, and respectful—both for donors and for those who come to find items they truly need.
Because of these challenges, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily stop accepting clothing donations.
This pause is not a rejection of generosity, nor does it mean we no longer value donations. Instead, it is a responsible step to allow our team the time and space needed to properly sort, clear existing stock, and restore order within the store. By doing so, we can ensure that when we resume accepting clothing donations, we are able to manage them effectively and fairly, without overwhelming our volunteers or compromising the quality of the items available.
We would also like to gently remind our community of an important principle: a charity store is not a dumping site. Donations should reflect kindness, care, and respect for the people who will eventually wear them. When someone picks up a donated shirt, dress, or pair of jeans, we want them to feel confident, comfortable, and proud—not embarrassed or discouraged. Everyone deserves clothing that is clean, wearable, and dignified.
Before donating in the future, we kindly ask donors to do a simple but thoughtful check at home. Please consider whether you would feel comfortable giving the item to a friend or family member. If the answer is no, it is likely not suitable for donation. Clothes should be clean, free from major stains, not torn or heavily worn out, and in a condition that still has life left in it.
During this temporary pause, we ask for your understanding and patience. Updates on when clothing donations will reopen will be shared through our usual channels once space becomes available and sorting is under control.
Once again, thank you for your support, your generosity, and your belief in the idea that sharing can make a real difference. Together, with a little more care and awareness, we can continue building a space where kindness is felt, resources are respected, and everyone benefits.