For those of us going through the adoption fundraising process, we may get to a point where we have no desire to go back to friends and family and ask for monetary donations. But thousands of dollars may still be needed to bring our kiddo home…so what other options do we have?
Enter the adoption shoe drive and clothing fundraiser
Let’s face it, we all have those clothes that have been hanging in our closets untouched for months years whose only purpose has been to take up space and give us the illusion that we have a posh wardrobe. It’s sad, but true. For whatever reason it’s difficult for us to let go because we think that one day, perhaps, that jazzy shirt or pair of green capris might be needed or come back in style.
Can you believe that the average American trashes 70 pounds of clothing every year? Perhaps if there were a good cause at stake, we would be more prone to open our hearts and hands and empty out those closets.
This project is not for the weary, mind you. In order to pull off a successful adoption shoe drive and clothing fundraiser, it’s going to take some work, some physical space and some perseverance. However, this can be very rewarding and can help you to raise thousands of dollars toward your adoption expenses.
Shoe Drive and Clothing Organizations
We have compiled a list of recommended clothing and shoe drive organizations along with some general information. There are many others out there, as you will notice if you do a search online. However, from our experience, we were unable to get responses from other organizations by reaching out via phone or email.
World Wear Project
World Wear Project offers an interesting shoe box fundraiser to anyone raising money nationwide. They send boxes to you and include a prepaid return shipping label. You’re only job is to fill them up with wearable shoes (i.e. not busted, falling apart or needing repair). They pay you up to $0.55/lb for these boxes and will cut a check directly to you. How great would it be if you had friends or family in various locations that offered to join forces with you on this fundraiser? You could have collections going on all over the place and organizers could box up shoes in their garage and return on your behalf since there is no cost whatsoever involved in this fundraiser! If you’re in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in Texas, you could benefit further if you wanted to dive into collecting other items as well, such as clothes, toys, backpacks, pots/pans, etc. For more information check out their website for details.
Savers FUNDrive
The FUNDrive program is an opportunity that Savers provides to non-profit organizations in local communities where a Savers store is located. Any family that can come under the umbrella of a non-profit organization, such as your church or adoption agency, can take advantage of this opportunity. The Savers payment schedule is as follows:
- $0.20/pound for soft items: Clothing, shoes, bed/bath items
- $0.10/pound for household items: Dishes, pots/pans, home décor, toys, glassware etc.
- $0.02/pound for books
Clothes For The Cause
Clothes for the Cause Fundraising is for those of you on the West Coast, this may be a viable option since you would have to physically deliver the donated items to their collections truck. They collect clothes, shoes, towels, stuffed animals, sheets, blankets, quilts/bedspreads, drapes, purses and belts. Once items are dropped off, they weigh everything on the spot and cut a check to the organization (adoption agency).
Greenthreads Clothing Drive
If you live on the other side of the country, Greenthreads Clothing Drive Fundraisers serves organizations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Norther Virginia and Washington D.C. These guys pay per pound for clothing and textiles. For this fundraiser, items are collected, bagged and stored at your facility. Then, at the conclusion of the fundraiser, Green Threads would come to your location and pick up the collected items. A check would be mailed to the non-profit organization of your choice, i.e. the adoption agency. Items that Green Threads collects include:
- Men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and shoes
- Accessories such as scarves, ties, belts, wallets and handbags
- Household items such as blankets, sheets, towels and tablecloths
- Stuffed animals and plush toys
If you have a story to tell about your adoption shoe drive and clothing fundraiser, please share it with us and let us know how it went! We would love to hear all about the creative ways you made this fundraiser a success.
Lori Resmer
