South Australians are asked to donate responsibly this festive season by leaving unwanted Christmas gifts and other usable goods directly with charities during opening hours or inside outdoor donation banks.

Recent years have seen recurring situations at some charities across the state, where items are left outside op shops and donation sites after business hours.

These items are then often sifted through by others and left in a mess, littered across carparks, footpaths and roads, or damaged by the weather.

The state government is leading calls from charities and encouraging people to ensure any items they want to give away:

• are still usable and are clean.
• are left inside the charity store with staff during trading hours (particularly larger goods) or are put safely and neatly in outdoor donation banks.
• comply with the donated items the charity can accept.

Charities rely on donated goods and re-sale profits to put into programs to support local communities in need.

Usable items that most charities will accept include quality clothing and accessories, toys, books, CDs and DVDs, homewares, furniture and small electrical goods.

Charities pay to dispose of items that they cannot sell or gift, so people should check with the charity first to ensure goods can be accepted.

Minister for Human Services Nat Cook says everyone has received an unwanted gift at some stage or have items at home to declutter.

“Donating your unwanted goods is a terrific way to graciously support charities and, in turn, support South Australians doing it tough, plus reduce our impact on the environment by keeping goods out of landfill.

I call on all South Australians to donate responsibly this festive season – if you wouldn’t give it to a friend, don’t give it to a charity.

Vinnies SA CEO Evelyn O’Loughlin has thanked those people planning to donate quality goods.

“With the well-documented skyrocketing costs of living, we are seeing growing demand for assistance, particularly from people who have never had to reach out to a charity for help before. 

“When items are left outside shops and become unusable, our ability to assist people in need is affected.

It is disappointing for volunteers when they are confronted with a mess of ruined goods out the front of their shops. 

“Vinnies volunteers feel very connected to the work we do and prefer to be making a positive impact, not cleaning up damaged goods that could have made a difference to someone’s life had they been donated safely.”