Sudbury donation bins targets for theft and vandalism

Theft and vandalism continue to be issues for a non-profit and a charity in Sudbury that accepts donations to help clothe people and care for animals.

Closet Share recently had to send donations it received to the dump, while Pet Save has been forced to move garbage bins off-site and is asking people to follow its donation policy.

Over the long weekend, the donation bin at Closet Share was broken into, with clothing stolen and strewn around the parking lot. Sixty bags ended up in the dump.

“Broke the lock right off and the clothes were everywhere,” said Melissa Porter, Closet Share Founder.

“Feces, urine, vomit, needles, blood -- everything that we had to clean up come Tuesday this week.”

Porter said the non-profit relies on donations and recycling clothing is part of its mission.

“So unfortunately, we had to take all that clothing and throw them in the trash,” she said.

“That is not something we do lightly here at Closet Share. We focus on ensuring that we alleviate the textiles from ending up in landfills.”

Closet Share now asks that all donations be dropped off during business hours.

At the Pet Save Re’Tail thrift store, donations can only be made in person during the week from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. That’s because there are more volunteers on site at that time -- and to avoid other issues.

“We ask that you don’t drop off outside of those hours because if there is no one here to accept them, then we find people are going through them, leaving a big mess in the parking lot,” said Kari Fabiilli, Pet Save Re’Tail Thrift Store coordinator.

“Ultimately, it becomes garbage because we don’t know what is left in them.”

The store no longer keeps garbage bins on site, which costs money for the charity to haul away and poses hazards.

“Even with locks and chains and strong locks, people were breaking in and causing severe damage to the bin itself, which we had to incur the costs for,” Fabiili said.

“It just became a hazard because everything that was in the bin was now thrown throughout the parking lot, which is ... extra work for our volunteers having to clean up and we would be finding needles and all sorts of unwanted stuff.”

While both Pet Save and Closet Share said they are grateful for the community support they rely on, both hope people will drop off donations during business hours so donations end up where they are intended.