Closet Generosity

While I was going through the closet cleanse, I was thinking a lot about how all this stuff can meet a need or create community.

Although sending all the clothes to the thrift store is a great way to say a happy farewell, I decided to list some other ways to wave them off. I'm going to be honest and tell you that my clothes are still in the trunk of the car on on their way to the thrift store. But, if you want to be more intentional than me, here are some ideas!

1. Donate your clothes to a family/organization that is raising money or clothing. Perhaps they are hosting a garage sale to cover adoption costs or doing a clothing drive to meet practical needs. I recently read about an organization called H.E.L.P. (Help End Local Poverty), and they use garage sales as a way to support missions and orphan care.

2. Have a clothing exchange with your friends. I've only done this once with my college dorm, but it was a blast. Send out invites to your friends and family and ask them to bring over gently used clothes and have fun exchanging. Of course, if you are trying to simplify, try and avoid taking more clothes home with you than you brought. What a fun way to connect with ladies (or guys) and strengthen community (as long as no one starts fighting over stuff!) :)

In addition to thinking about how I can use my unused stuff, I got to thinking about what I buy. Now, this is really new to me, but I want to expose myself to companies and products that promote and support what I agree with. It may be a bit more money to purchase a necklace from a company that buys jewelry from women creating a sustainable income in Africa, but I also think that it's worth supporting these companies. I want to practice purchasing with purpose where I can.

Here's a list of a few companies/organizations that sell some pretty cool clothing/closet products, but also support pretty cool causes. If you know of others, I'd love to know about them :)

1. Livefashionable: Like scarves? Their products help support sustainable business for women in Africa

2. Light Gives Heat: They seriously have the cutest bags! I can't decide which one I like best :) They also have lots of lovely jewelry. This organization also helps support sustainable business in Africa.

3. Noonday: They have a lot of lovely bags, jewelry, clothes, and even some items from your home. There are a couple of necklaces that I have my eye on! Noonday supports sustainable jobs for artisans in a number of different companies such as Ecuador, Ethiopia, and Guatemala. They even do truck shows to help support adopting families :) You can even become an ambassador and help promote the organization!

4. Hello Somebody: Want a new cute watch? This is the place to go! They also have t-shirts, sweatshirts, and fragrances. The mission of this organization is to help those who were victims of sex trafficking and meet other basic needs of children in need.

5. 31 Bits: Oh, goodness! This organization has beautiful jewelry made by women in Uganda. I especially love their bracelets :)

I've got a pinterest board all about purchasing with purchase and you can check it out here! You can take a peek at some of the lovely items these organizations/companies sell :)

These are just a few of many, many organizations that support others and meet needs. The needs are great in the world, and it can be overwhelming to think about what I can do. Often, I think that's it's too hard, too expensive, or too overwhelming to think about others. And it may be--when I'm thinking from my own perspective. But when I ask God to give me eyes to see needs and the love to meet them, He does. He is so gracious!

{ps. although I haven't had a post about the Family of the Month, there is still a family receiving 25% of each sale from Home for Hire {the shop}. The shop is getting a little slim, but I'll tell you guys more about why soon!}

New to the series? Check out the other posts :)
A New Series
Satisfaction
Jiggly, Jiggly
Beautiful and Useful
The Sentimental
The Bathroom Purge
I'm an Unfashionista
The After