I live in regional Qld and the local winter is cold this year so the local charities (LifeLine and St Vincent De Paul) have ramped up their charity drive putting out general lists of stuff they want including books, blankets, socks and winter clothing.

So my mum wanting to help goes thru her stuff and fills several bags with extra blankets, good used clothing, spare shoes and so on. I also fill several plastic shopping bags with books extra old teacups, old work socks and a couple of jackets that no longer fit. All stuff they specifically asked for, no other junk or leftovers.

So today mum rings the charity (Lifeline) to organize a pick up (per their instruction) and is told that their may be a ‘pick up fee’ involved. The reason she was given over the phone was because the truck is small and it was not an entire truckload of goods being donated. We live in town less than 2km from where the charity and charity depot are located.

So now they are charging people to pick up freely donated goods…..hmm.

Have any other people come across this dealing with charities recently or in other areas. I get it that the truck does not run for free, but charging out for donations?