Junk Dumping Robs from the Needy

by Salvation Army
Categories: Newswire
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It happens most nights. Individuals are unloading their unwanted junk at many Salvation Army thrift stores. These stores have become dumping sites for household garbage or other items that should be taken to landfill sites.

The Salvation Army originated the concept of the thrift store and opened its first store more than 100 years ago. Profits from the stores are used to help fund some of the Army’s programs.

When items such as old refrigerators, boxes of broken dishes or mouldy clothing is left on its doorstep, the Army has a big mess to clean up and are forced to pay for the garbage to be removed. This cost can be substantial.

In addition, when items are dropped off after hours they are damaged by weather or taken from the store property. This leaves little that the store can sell and less money is available to invest in the lives of the needy.

Some thrift stores have set up surveillance systems to monitor the drop-off area, but even these don’t seem to deter the culprits.