I’m just about to fill one of those charity bags with the results of a clear out. You know the bags I mean: the ones that get pushed through our doors from various charities.
I think they’re a great idea. I work for myself so I don’t have time to take donations to a charity shop during the week. When I do get time I have to find somewhere to park and then lug heavy bags to the shop of my choice.
The charity bags make it easy. Well, they do in principle. As I fill the bag and leave it outside for collection, I’ll do it more in hope than expectation. In fact, it will be the first time I’ve done it in ages. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve left a bag by my gate only to find it still there the next day.
So, on one occasion last year, I phoned the charity in question to let them know a bag would be outside my door waiting for them. I was assured it would be collected. It wasn’t.
I decided to investigate. I found out that collections are handled centrally by a separate organisation acting on behalf of several charities. The charity told me they would contact the organisation and get them to collect my bag.
In fact, someone from the collections organisation emailed me to ask when would be convenient. I emailed back with a date and time. The bag remained uncollected.
The reason I pushed this was because I think it’s really unfair to the charities. I’m not sure if they have to pay organisations to do the collections but the bags must cost them money.
Most of all, they’re missing out on donations and that’s what upsets me.
Maybe it only happens in my road; bags may get collected in other areas. I’d love to know!
It would be great to hear from you either if you have the same problem as I do or if your donation bags are collected without any problems.
