Dec 21 2008
Recycling and Refugees
So, one of my many past times is going around and picking up stuff that people have in their houses that they don’t want anymore. If it’s on the list of the things that refugee resettlement agencies have to provide for new arrivals in their apartments, I load up my car and go to Lutheran Family Refugee Services with it.
Freecycle has been fantastic for doing this. This Yahoo! group is in most communities around the country. I only recently discovered it when I moved to a new state and I had a bunch of stuff I wanted to get rid of. The gist of Freecycle is that someone states what they have to offer or what they need, and the community responds by either picking up an unwanted item, or by giving a needed item. I’ve seen everything from cat food to a bag of rice being Freecycled.
My next goal is to try to figure out how to get two local Lutheran churches involved. I’ve gotten agreements to participate in my little venture from both churches. I’m hoping for central drop off points and a larger audience than Freecycle. That would save some time and gas money on my part. I haven’t heard back from these churches in nearly a month, though. Time to follow up, I guess.
So, if you have things like towels, blankets, shower curtains, cups, plates, can openers, etc., and you want to get them out of your house, get a tax donation credit for them, and do the world some good, try to find your nearest refugee resettlement agency and contact them. Some are the International Rescue Committee, Catholic Charities, Lutheran Family Refugee Services, and there are 7 more that resettle in cities all across the United States.
Freecycle: http://www.freecycle.org/
Some other refugee assistance agencies: http://www.refugees.org/article.aspx?id=1113
Links to some resettlement agencies-NOT complete: http://www.refugeeworks.org/about/links_refugee_agencies_local.html#t
http://www.dhs.state.ia.us/refugee/bureau/usrefugee.asp
Best list of resettlement agecies: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VOLAG
