No one wants their generosity to go to waste, so it’s important to be mindful of where you’re donating.
We’ve all been there: Clearing out a canned goods stash that makes you look like a doomsday prepper, pulling some of the dustier books off the shelf or even letting go of that sweater your mother-in-law thought you would like five Christmases ago.
It’s been long enough.And there’s nothing better to do with all that still-usable stuff than to donate it. Better to give things you don’t need to someone less fortunate than to let them rot in a landfill. And more environmentally friendly, too. But no one wants their generosity to go to waste, so it’s important to be mindful of where you’re donating. One method to be wary of is unattended donation boxes — you know, the big dumpster-looking things with a hatch on the front.Oftentimes, these boxes present a convenient opportunity to offload no-longer-needed items. But in North Richland Hills, suspicious receptacles were recently spotted popping up on store lots. The city “has seen an increase in scam donation boxes in busy shopping centers that often do not support charitable causes,” North Richland Hills City Hall wrote in aearlier this month. “Many are run by people who sell the donated items for profit rather than benefiting a charity.”North Richland Hills advised residents to look for warning signs that might indicate a scam, such as a generic appeal like “clothing needed,” no organization identifiers or poor construction., too. Bulky items like furniture and appliances would create clutter, operators frequently failed to service the boxes on time, and boxes were often placed without permission from property owners., though in typical Dallas fashion, the city took its sweet time getting to an actual ordinance. It wasn’t until December the following year that the City Council approved new rules.We would urge readers to take items they want to donate directly to reputable organizations. There’s nothing wrong with using a donation box you trust, but they remove the human interaction piece of charitable giving. Dallas officials should be sure to keep an eye on the donation box issue, too. The rules the City Council passed in 2023 are solid, but it might be worth an update to council members for city staff to explain how those rules have worked out in practice.Dallas Morning News editorials are written by the paper's Editorial Board and serve as the voice and view of the paper. The board considers a broad range of topics and is overseen by the Editorial Page Editor.Man accused of posing as attorney to scam jail inmates’ families, officials say
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Houston businesses welcome spring break crowds despite online calls for visitors to stay awayHouston business owners say Spring Break visitors are boosting tourism and the local economy despite online calls for travelers to stay away.
Read more »
Utah spring break travelers report mix of delays and smooth tripsAmy Nay anchors Good Day Utah Weekend each Saturday and Sunday morning on Fox 13 from 6:30-9AM. She also fills in on the desk and out in the field for Fox 13 News.
Read more »
Nordstrom's Latest Markdowns: Best Spring Deals up to 81% OffNordstrom’s latest markdowns are packed with spring essentials — save up to 81% on top brands like Tory Burch, Spanx, Levi’s and UGG!
Read more »
Prepare for Savings: Unveiling the Upcoming Spring Sale EventGet ready for a sale featuring themed daily drops and exclusive deals. Prime members gain extra benefits. Early offers on top-rated items and curated selections will be available. Discover exciting deals and prepare for your spring and summer adventures.
Read more »
Santa Rosa residents enjoying Spring Lake Park as temperatures near the 90sIn downtown Santa Rosa, shady spots with a place to sit and rest were commodities. But it was a quiet day for many businesses.
Read more »
In switching to original Medicare, beware medigap plan refusalsOpen enrollment season lasts until March 31 for people enrolled in Medicare Advantage who want to switch to original Medicare, but there’s a potential hitch.
Read more »