Southern Indiana Thrift Store Caught on Video Trash & Theft

As a homeowner, my family and I have collected more than our share of junk. Seriously, one section of our backyard looks like a scene out of Sanford and Son. As much as I hate having an old couch, a broken bicycle, and other random broken junk, I would never even consider dumping them at a thrift store donation center.

Junk Removal is Expensive

Trash companies will pick up some of these larger things, like a disgusting couch or mattresses, but it is going to cost you. It's been brought to my attention that some people think that it's totally ok to 'Donate' such junk to our local thrift stores, in an attempt to bypass the system. Guess who has to pay to have that junk removed?

Photo by Thrift ERM trash

It takes a lot to get Tracey Gorman upset. He is usually very calm and forgiving. It's his nature and makes him a great leader at the Evansville Rescue Mission. I'm sharing his post about the trash-dumping issue they are dealing with at The Thrift Store. But not only that, people are literally stealing good donations outside of drop-off hours!

Photo by Thrift ERM couch

Tracy L. Gorman President / CEO Evansville Rescue Mission:

The past two nights, individuals have dumped large amounts of trash outside your ERM Thrift Store's Donation Center - items which we now have to pay to take to the dump. We could see from video footage that individuals pulled up, through (or drug) these items from their vehicles - and then rummaged through (and took) items other donors had left beside our donation bins as legitimate donations (yes, we have very clear videos - which have been shown to the EPD). Speaking of the EPD, we're grateful they're temporarily placing The Guardian Neighborhood Surveillance Vehicle nearby. Going forward, we ask that no items be left beside our bins (Evansville and Newburgh locations), and that donations not occur between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Dumping is not only disgustingly disturbing, it's also illegal. Thank you to everyone who truly supports your ERM and the work we do together! We love our donors and our customers!!!

PS We have lots of available times & locations to receive donations in Newburgh and in Evansville - when you can be assured your donation is properly utilized. Call the Mission's office or check our website for those times and places.

Photo by Thrift ERM man

Other Nonprofits Affected Too

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated instance of dummies dumping junk. Our friends at Evansville Christian Life Center also deal with trash and broken items every week. Their bins clearly state that they only accept clothing.

Photo by Evansville Christian Life Center

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Indiana Goodwill Stores Will Not Accept These 24 Items

So much of what we accumulate, we don't really use. Some of the stuff that is cluttering up our closets, basements, spare bedrooms, and garages is in good condition and can easily be used by someone else.

Other items that have simply worn out or broken need to be cleaned out or replaced, too. But, Goodwill is not the place for those items.

Here is what Goodwill says about items that they can't and won't take.

Gallery Credit: Leslie Morgan

See Inside The Thrift Store by Evansville Rescue Mission [Before and After]

The Thrift Store by Evansville Rescue Mission is now in its amazing new space inside Washington Square Mall. Take a look at the hard work that has gone into this unique new thrift store.

Gallery Credit: Liberty