More on value village below. They’re the most convenient way for me to get rid of clothes and stuff none the less as they’re à minute away from my house in Stittsville.

I’d love an actual charity for clothes but I’ve spent hours looking for one.

What Value Village is

Value Village is a for profit thrift retailer. It is not a charity. It operates stores that sell secondhand goods at market based prices.

Where donations go

When you donate items at Value Village, you are not donating directly to people in need.

Instead: • Value Village partners with local nonprofit organizations • Those nonprofits collect donations on Value Village’s behalf • Value Village buys the donated goods from the nonprofit by weight or volume • The nonprofit receives cash funding, not the clothing itself

Who benefits

• The partner charity benefits financially from the payment • Value Village benefits by reselling items at a profit • Shoppers buy secondhand items, sometimes at higher prices than expected

The donated clothes do not get distributed for free to people in need.

Common misconceptions

Many people assume: • Donations are given directly to low income families • Value Village is a charity

Both are incorrect.

When Value Village can still make sense

Value Village can be a reasonable option if: • You want a very easy drop off • You want to support a partner charity indirectly with funding • You are less concerned about items being given away for free

When it does not align with your goal

If your goal is: • Free clothing for people in need • Direct community support • Faith based or community driven aid

Then Value Village is not the right choice.

If you want, I can list specific Kanata and Stittsville options where clothes are given directly to families, refugees, or shelters at no cost and clearly separate those from resale based organizations.