Salvation Army or Goodwill?

[candg4ever]

We got tired of the garage sale thing and am finally going through closets and dressers to get rid of way too many years worth of clothes, etc.

Is there more of a benefit to local causes, organizations, and communities with either SA or Goodwill, or are they pretty much the same thing?

I know that, bottom line, they're both going to help people that really need it. I'd just like to focus on helping out closer to home. Thanks in advance for any/all input.

 

[AgronAlum]

Salvation Army. My BILs house burned down when he was younger and said they couldn’t have been better. They showed up with, quite literally, anything they needed down to toothbrushes and toothpaste. I know the SA kept them afloat as they were not wealthy people by any stretch of the imagination.

Right or wrong, I’ve never been too keen on dropping items at goodwill. I use the restores from H for H for any donations when I’m working on the house.

 

[mb7299]

I second Salvation Army, Goodwill is a for profit business where SA is a charity.

 

[mred]

I second Salvation Army, Goodwill is a for profit business where SA is a charity.

Goodwill is a non-profit.

 

[CYKID]

My company has been contracting with Goodwill since the 70's for light manufacturing work. I have always been impressed with them. Goodwill of Iowa serves over one thousand clients with disabilities or barriers to employment each year. The program provides them education, job skills and most importantly an opportunity to contribute in all aspects of life. When possible Goodwill places clients in jobs throughout the community. Goodwill operates by contracting with businesses and government to provide a wide range of commercial services, including packaging and assembly, food service preparation, document imaging, shredding and more.

I've never had any experience with Salvation Army but thought I should add my Goodwill piece.

 

[Gunnerclone]

Whoever has a big metal bin that I can dump my **** in or around so I don’t have to interact with anyone.

 

[3TrueFans]

I second Salvation Army, Goodwill is a for profit business where SA is a charity.

That doesn't seem to be true.

 

[3TrueFans]

Salvation Army if I recall seems to have some antiquated ideas, specifically about homosexuality, so I personally take stuff to Goodwill when I donate. Just a personal preference, I'm sure SA does lots of good as well.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Neither. Try to find a local organization that gives your donations away. In Des Moines we have Bidwell's and they are a fantastic organization that helps people get back on their feet.

 

[CyCloned]

Neither. Try to find a local organization that gives your donations away. In Des Moines we have Bidwell's and they are a fantastic organization that helps people get back on their feet.

I think you have to search a little to find these organizations, but they are definitely out to help the local poor first. There is are several organization that supports women in downtown Cedar Rapids. They do a lot for the homeless families in the area.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Speaking of charitable donations, I need to check Menards to see if they have anything good on sale. A couple of years ago they had ski gloves for $1.99 so I loaded up a shopping cart with them then took them to Open Door Mission. Last year they had some decent polar fleece sweaters for a good price.

 

[norcalcy]

Either one. They’re both great organizations that add to the quality of our world.

 

[Rabbuk]

Goodwill also hires people who have special needs and veterans as part of their model

 

[cyfan92]

I love taking stuff here since it's Iowa based. Two DSM area location -

4640 Merle Hay Road
Urbandale, IA 50322

500 E Army Post Road
Des Moines, IA 50315

https://www.hopeiowa.org/ways-to-give/give-stuff/

A 4/4 star rated charity on Charity Navigator

https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=9900

 

[Stormin]

Goodwill is a non-profit.

Goodwill is a scam. Pays out all money to owner as an expense. Goodwill non-profit while owner makes big profit.

Salvation Army. An actual charity.

 

[Stormin]

Goodwill also hires people who have special needs and veterans as part of their model

That is part of their scam. Goodwill pays executives exorbitant salaries and pays workers very little. Don’t fall for their scam.

Goodwill uses a loophole to pay those with disabilities LESS than minimum wage while paying executives exorbitant wages. Not my definition of charitable. Screwing over the disadvantaged.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-hrabe/the-worst-corporation-in-_b_1876905.html

 

[wxman1]

Usually Goodwill as it is slightly more convenient. That being said they don't take as much as Salvation Army so we take stuff there too.

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

Score
$.99 stocking caps at Menards. Will need to keep watching to see if they mark ski gloves down to $1.99 before Christmas.

 

[CYdTracked]

I'll throw another good place to donate to if you are in the Des Moines area and that is Hope Ministries: https://www.hopeiowa.org/ Some of the donations don't even get sold in their thrift store and instead are put to use right here in the community for use in shelters, recovery centers, and the homeless.

 

[azhuth09]

Another option for Des Moines donations.

https://www.facebook.com/JoppaOutreach/