[Submitted by the Pick-Up Gmach] Come be a part in our mitzvah!
Q: What is the Pick-up Gmach/Perfect Picks Boutique all about?
A: If you appreciate your clothing and you’d like it to be used by others who would likewise appreciate the clothing, would hate for it to be wrinkled or rained on in the donation process, AND want it gone right away, hassle-free…then this pickup service is for you.
We are a free pick-up service for new and gently-used but current children’s clothing, passing it on to needy Lakewood families who don’t mind wearing used clothing as long as it is current and in excellent condition.
We operate a boutique and the families “shop” for free, “buying” the clothing that we collect. Although there may be some families who don’t mind dressing their children in clothing that is out of date and style, that is not the clientele this gmach services.
Q: Hi. Just finished cleaning out my attic. I have bags and bags of gently-used clothing that my kids outgrew some years back–wide pants, boys argyle vests for Shabbos, wide 3 pc. Carter’s outfits for babies, etc. Can someone come haul it away?
A: If it’s still usable, try Batya 201-47-PURPLe first.
If it’s mixed (old style in perfect condition/some ripped) give to a non-Jewish organization that takes used clothing and will sell the unusable per pound, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, 877-336-8828, or bins such as the Sheriff’s Association (bins by Todd Plaza) or AMVETS bins found around town, etc.
This is not the type of clothing we collect, and IS NOT suitable for any other clothing gmach here in Lakewood since it isn’t the type of clothing that is in demand. We recommend donating it next time right away after it is used after throwing away the no longer fresh items so it CAN be appreciated by people here in Lakewood.
Q: Hi, I have some outfits I’d like to donate. I have 5 girls in a row K”ah and we pass the clothing down. My youngest of the five is leaving for Seminary. I’d like to donate her clothing and the clothing my other daughters have worn and passed onto her to your wonderful gmach. When can you pick it up?
A: Although we’d like to help you out, we are a pick-up service for current clothing in excellent condition so it can still be worn again and look fresh and new. It sounds like the clothing has already been passed down. In that case, we recommend you try Batya (they take usable clothing and do not specify that it has to be current), or Big Brothers Big Sisters or another (kosher) non-Jewish organization which sells non-usable clothing per pound.
Q: What should I do with worn tzitzis? Can I give them to you?
No!The minhag is to put into shaimos. If you can’t, double bag and throw out. Please do not give us pasul tzitzis!!! Most boys’ tzitzis are pasul by the time they are outgrown so don’t bother. Thank you.
Q: Do you take uniforms?
A: No. You can better service the community by giving them to a gmach that only takes those items. There are many here in Lakewood. You can find a listing for them in the Cheder phone book. It will just burden our volunteers and give us more work to do (having to haul it to that specific gmach…).
Q: My husband just lost 50 pounds and I have closets and closets filled with his old large-sized clothing. Can someone come and take it?
A: We are sorry but we don’t take much men’s clothing.
We will take men’s iron-free shirts if they are in excellent or new condition (not yellowed or stained) or men’s new black shoes since those are things the yungerleit in our gmach would find very helpful.
You can try giving them to a men’s clothing gmach found in the Cheder directory.
Just make sure what you donate is in perfect condition out of respect to the people who shop there…
Q: Hi, our Bubby was just was niftar and we have a house full of her clothing and shoes. Can you pick it up today?
A: So sorry to hear. We only take children’s clothing, in perfect condition AND current.
Q: I had several babies recently and my previous wardrobe is no longer my size. Can I give it all to you? I also have new layette that I didn’t use.
A: Thank you for thinking of us. The baby items will be greatly appreciated by our families, however, we do not accept ladies clothing.
Q: Hi, I have some outfits and shoes from last season that my children hardly wore. The shoes are very lightly worn. I also hate returning things to the store. It is such a waste of time for me. When can you pick up my stuff?
A: Yes! We will take it. It will be picked up within 24 hours. Put it in a bag, seal it, label it gmach. Then text us your address to 848-525-6961 when you place it
out and we will have it picked up. Please leave it out until it is picked up. We will put out the fall/winter clothing immediately and hold on to the summer to put out for the spring.
The Pickup Gmach/Perfect Picks Boutique takes:
Children’s clothing in excellent condition and current styles, sizes 0-16 Girls, 0-12 Boys.
Girls and Boys lightly worn or new shoes.
Men’s iron free shirts in excellent condition (not yellowed or stained)
How to donate (after reading this article) and helping us by making sure it meets our conditions 🙂
Label the bag Gmach, place out and text your address to 848-525-6961 and it will be picked up within 24 hours.
We pick up Sunday-Thursday.
The Pickup Gmach
Note: The pickup boutique’s slots are all filled at this time.