Do you think it's tacky.........?

I'm somewhere in the middle on this. As a person who would like to help, I really couldn't afford to buy new clothes to donate to a family. I can't remember the last time i bought something new for myself or my husband, and I buy my kids clothes on sale at Old Navy or used on Craigslist. I have no problems with dressing my kids in used clothes and hand-me-downs. Why isn't that good enough for someone else?

On the other hand, I certainly understand that some people might be inclined to go through their garage or the back of their closet and dump all their stained, ripped out-of-date clothes and scuffed, worn shoes into a big garbage bag, then pat themselves on the back for doing a good deed.

I think they should specify "Like New" or "In Good Condition", but they should not demand that everything be brand new.

Although there is nothing wrong with good used clothing I don't see this as tacky. These people just lost everything and the donations will be a pleasant blessing and even more so if new. The people collecting just want to be the best blesing they can be. If you can't afford to help with this maybe you could help in another way like in the collection of the articles, transportation, childcare, some meals, etc...

A lot of times people treat second hand stores (or opportunities to donate) as a trip to the garbage dump. My local Salvation Army had to run an ad saying that they don't want garbage, because so many people would drop off broken appliances, ripped clothes, etc. I think that with the amount of donations they'll be receiving, they asked to have only new stuff because it cuts down the amount of things they'll be given. If they were accepting second hand clothes, some of the things they received may have been old, ripped, out of style junk that people just wanted to get rid of. So, by asking for new stuff only, it guarantees that the clothing won't be old or ripped, and they won't have to go through everything to see what they would keep and wear.

Yes, that's tacky. Whoever is spreading the word is turning people off and doing more harm than good.

I agree with the poster who said it's probably to keep people from unloading their crap on these unfortunate souls.

That really does happen. By asking for new clothes, they'll get fewer donations but they won't be stuck with a load of garbage.

It might not be in the best taste, but it's practical.

Nothing wrong with wearing second hand clothes, as long as you wash them first. they are cheaper and you might find some really cool stuff that you cant get in regular shops. I work in a charity shop and the clothes we put out to sell ARE NOT old and musty.

I've been in thrift stores and frankly, some of the clothes that people think are suitable for donation is just plain insulting. And the fact that the staff turns around and puts it on a hanger, just is wrong.

What the advertisement should say is "Like New", that way people will get the message that it doesn't have to have a price tag still on it but that it shouldn't be stained, ripped, or threadbare.

No, it's not tacky. I work for a foster care agency and for years many people would donate broken toys, ripped, dirty clothes, mismatched shoes, and other rubbish. We would only get a few things that we didn't throw away. Now we don't take any used donations. Even though these people lost everything, I'm sure they don't want to sort through other people's trash.

Yes. "Beggars can't be choosers" and esp when it is a charitable donation you cannot ask people to spend money on new clothes when they most likely can't afford new clothes for themselves and their own families...it's VERY tacky.

New only is a tacky request. Gently used or new would be a nice way to word it.