KENTVILLE, N.S. — It says “clothing only please” right on the Diabetes Society donations bins, themselves – but some people just aren’t getting the message.
The donation bins for the Diabetes society are convenient spots, but sometimes people have been availing themselves of that convenience the wrong way. Unwanted and incompatible donations from people, in Kings County communities occasionally accumulate around donation bins, leaving an unsightly mess and some disappointed Diabetes Canada staff.
Some of those messes entail abandoned household items – some of those messes do not originate in the spirit of helpfulness, and just are piles run-of-the-mill-trash.
According to Joanna Dunn, area manager for the Atlantic Region with Diabetes Canada, the bins are specifically designed for textiles and clothing.
“We don’t accept large household items or garbage,” Dunn said.
Not only does Diabetes Canada have no use for garbage and larger items, it’s actually doubly counterproductive since staff end up having to spend time cleaning up unwanted items.
“When people dump items or old furniture and other stuff we don’t accept, we have to use our resources to clear the items,” Dunn said. “For us, that takes up driver time and labour, and that can be costly to us.
“If the few people who are dumping that kind of thing at our bins could refrain from putting those types of items at our bins, we’d greatly appreciate it.”
Dunn noted the fewer resources Diabetes Canada employees expend cleaning up around the bins, the more that can go into the research, education, support and initiatives the organization supports.
The Valley is by no means unique with this issue. The Town of Trenton council in Pictou County has wrangled with the issue of residents using Red Cross donation bins for a garbage dumping site.
Although she is concerned that the bins are being improperly used, Dunn was quick to give residents of the Valley their due, congratulating them for being in one of the most generous regions in the province for donations.
“People in Kentville and the surrounding area have been good for donations,” she said. “I have been here over 20 years and they’ve always been exceptionally generous. People make great donations and we really appreciate that.”
Dunn added that in addition to donation bins, Diabetes Canada arranges pickups from the addresses of those who wish to donate household items or clothes.
For more information, check out declutter.diabetes.ca or call 1-800-505-5525.
