Thinking of a charity idea and looking for feedback

Good morning everyone!!

I'm looking in to starting a local charity for bariactric patients or people who have had any medical procedure that resulted in weight loss. 

All of us know how hard it is to keep up with the cost of clothes and replacing your wardrobe as you loose.  I'm sure all of use consignment stores (I will admit, even almost being at goal, the Salvation Army is still my favorite store) to buy our clothes as we go through this journey.   I want to start a donation type center that will allow us to donate, exchange and pick up clothes for free.  These are hard times and I think that so many people going through this process or any other medical procedure that could result in weightloss, such as chemo - have medical bills coming out the wazoo...could really benefit from this. 

Does anyone know of anyone doing this in your area?  Is it well received?  Any negative thoughts?  I would love some feedback to this idea....It may take a lot of work to start but the benefits would pay off in the long run if it takes off.

Let me know any ideas, feedback - positive or negative.

Thank you!!!
Embry

 I think this is a great idea.  I was thinking yesterday as I walked past my closet of finding a way to send my clothes in the sizes I will soon not be able to wear to other GBP or WLS patients so they have something to wear during their loss.  It doesn't make sense to have a new wardrobe each level and I thought this was something we could do for each other.. 

I really like the idea.  Based on shipping costs - I believe it should be something done within the area close to a persons home...otherwise shipping would be too much.  

my surgeons office does a clothing exchange 4 times a year.  you can trade in your big clothes for smaller ones that others have grown out of.

I would say start with talking with your surgeons office or maybe someone at the local hospital.  Maybe their volunteer group could help too.


Sarah

Excellent idea...I am going to go to my surgeons office support group meeting for June - I will start there and start looking on the internet as well. Thank you so much!!!!

There is something online like that for kids. I think you just pay shipping in a FRB.

Just read about a good idea - holding it as a clothing swap - you suggest you take home as many items as you donate and open it up to those who just want to donate and those who donate and exchange clothes - include accessories too....this way it opens it up to many instead of a few....getting good good ideas!!

My surgeon's support group does this too - if you bring 5 items you can take up to 5 items.  I never leave with anything but I love to clean out my closet and take things for others.   I like the accessories idea - belts, scarves, even shoes - I went down a whole shoe size!

http://www.ehow.com/how_5687696_organize-bariatric-clothing- exchange.html

I just stumbled across this article looking for some other stuff and thought I would share it.