Ever wondered about ...

Doorstep collection sacks

What to do when a charity collection sack comes through your door.

There are different types of collection

  • Charities that collect the items and sell them in their shops
    In this instance all the money from the sale of your donated items will go directly to the charity.

  • Commercial organisations that collect items on behalf of a charity
    Some charities enter into partnerships with commercial organisations that collect on their behalf. The charity receives a proportion of the profit from the sale of your donations. The sack must state which commercial organisation is doing the collection and roughly how much will be going to the charity – you can then consider if you are happy with this arrangement. If it doesn’t state this, then we would urge you not to use the sack.

  • Commercial organisations not working with any charity
    Some organisations not working with a charity might lead you to believe they are helping people in developing countries when they are selling the clothing for their own profit. These are bogus collections and should not be used: and ideally should be reported to your local authority.

Check the status of the charity or commercial collector if you are unsure

If you are not familiar with the charity please check the charity’s registration number. If you are not familiar with the commercial collector please check their status with Companies House.

Donations in a cardboard box

Donate directly to a charity shop ...

to ensure the most money from your donations goes to a charity.

Donation sack

If you don’t want to donate using a collection sack you received ...

please reuse it. You could use your bag for donating items direct to any charity shop later on.

Answering the door

If your bag is not collected ...

contact the appropriate charity as soon as possible to report it. Most collection sacks will include a telephone number, or contact the charity’s main number and they will pass you to the right department.

collection sack

If you suspect your sack of donations has been or is being stolen ...

ask for an ID. If the driver does not provide this, they may not work for the charity. Do not try to confront them. Try to discreetly make a note of the van registration plate and contact the police. Also report the incident to the charity.

Charity retail careers

View Retail Property Manager at Chestnut Tree House details

Featured job

Chestnut Tree House

Retail Property Manager

South East

View Shop Manager - Ilkley at Shelter details

Shelter

Shop Manager - Ilkley

Yorkshire

View Retail Area Manager at Dove House Hospice details

Dove House Hospice

Retail Area Manager

Yorkshire

View Retail Area Manager at Yorkshire Cancer Research details

Yorkshire Cancer Research

Retail Area Manager

Yorkshire

View Retail Manager at Children North East details

Featured job

Children North East

Retail Manager

North East