More than two dozen clothing donation bins already exist in Kamloops.
(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
May 20, 2014 - 11:39 AM
KAMLOOPS - City parks will not be the site of any ‘bin wars’ in the near future because two charities currently collecting clothes in the city will have to continue collecting on private property.
The Canadian Diabetes Association originally approached the city to allow their Clothesline program bins in city parks and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Renew Crew program said it wanted equal opportunity if the request was granted. The association was looking to expand the Clothesline program by adding 10 more bins in city parks.
Members of the Social Planning Committee were concerned over security and need for more bins as well as profit flow. They were also concerned allowing bins in city parks could result in clutter or ‘bin wars’ and decided to instead encourage the two groups to work with local businesses to expand the programs.
Currently, between the two groups, there are more than two dozen bins across the city and they are serviced weekly. The organizations bring donated items to Value village where they are reimbursed by the pound. Items dropped off directly to Value Village are credited to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kamloops. Both groups also offer home pickup of donations.
The Big Brothers Big Sisters program employs eight people and about 40 per cent of organization’s annual revenue comes from the program. All profits for the Renew Crew program stay local while the Clothesline program goes to the national office for disbursement across the country.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014