EXCHANGE: Thrift stores see mixed blessing with donations

DECATUR, Ill. (AP) — It's the holiday giving season, but for some charities and thrift stores collecting used items, there's a fine line between a blessing and a burden when it comes to what's being received.

Organizations are put in the tough spot of being both grateful for contributions while having to wade through piles of donations that aren't usable. Unwanted clothes are too frayed or dirty. There might be broken items, malfunctioning appliances, missing materials and other hazardous contents.

In the worst cases, what's being given can't be resold at all and is tossed out or recycled. All of that costs time and money, cutting into profits that could be used to support charity efforts.