There are reminders to be mindful when donating goods following the Christmas season and as the new year begins.
People wanting to donate should do so responsibly by leaving unwanted Christmas gifts and other usable goods directly with charities during opening hours or inside outdoor donation banks.
In recent years, there have been recurring situations where items are left outside op shops and donation sites after business hours.
Items are often then sifted through by others and left in a mess, littered across carparks, footpaths and roads, or damaged by the weather.
The Malinauskas Government is leading calls from charities and encouraging people to ensure any items they want to give away are still usable and are clean, are left inside the charity store with staff during trading hours or are put safely and neatly in outdoor donation banks.
Donations should comply with the donated items the chosen charity can accept.
The item items that most charities will accept include quality clothing and accessories, toys, books, CDs and DVDs, homewares, furniture and small electrical goods.
Charities pay to dispose of items that they cannot sell or gift, so people should check with the charity first to ensure goods can be accepted.
Minister for human services Nat Cook said donating unwanted goods such as unwanted Christmas gifts is a “terrific way” to support charities and South Australians doing it tough, as well promoting landfill diversion.
“Most people drop their donations directly with charity staff or safely in outdoor donation banks which are often found outside op shops, and this means the items can be put to good use,” she said.
“I call on all South Australians to donate responsibly this festive season. Please ensure the items you are donating are in good, clean condition and are suitable to re-sell, if you wouldn’t give it to a friend, don’t give it to a charity.”
Vinnies South Australia chief executive Evelyn O’Loughlin extended thanks to anyone planning to donate to Vinnies and also encouraged mindful donating.
“With the well-documented skyrocketing costs of living, we are seeing growing demand for assistance, particularly from people who have never had to reach out to a charity for help before,” she said.
“When items are left outside shops and become unusable, our ability to assist people in need is affected.
“Vinnies volunteers feel very connected to the work we do and prefer to be making a positive impact, not cleaning up damaged goods that could have made a difference to someone’s life had they been donated safely.”
