Each day, we witness acts of compassion that tell our Drop In guests they matter. Every donation is a sign of care, and we are deeply grateful for the love and thought behind it. Alongside this gratitude, we also feel it is important to share a little more about how donations are used, and why there are some items we are, regrettably, unable to accept, particularly clothing and bedding.

At the heart of our work is dignity and healing. The people who come through our doors are not just “service users”; they are our guests. Just like anyone else, they deserve items that are clean, appropriate, and offered with respect. To uphold this, we must be realistic about what we can store, sort, and distribute responsibly.

Clothing and duvets are among the most frequently offered donations, yet they are the hardest for us to manage. With limited storage space, we cannot keep large quantities of clothing or bedding. To ensure guests receive suitable clothing, we partner with the Salvation Army, please donate in the Bury St Edmunds shop in aid of Bury Drop In so our guests can choose what they need.

Although every donation is offered with the very best intentions, accepting items we cannot safely or practically distribute can mean volunteers spend valuable time sorting, or arranging referrals to other local charities, time that would otherwise be spent supporting our guests directly.

I share this article not to discourage generosity, but to help guide it. When donations align closely with what we can use, they have a far greater impact. Financial donations, for example, allow us to respond flexibly to immediate needs, whether that is providing food, offering emergency provisions, or ensuring someone has the essentials they actually want and need at that moment. In many cases, this is the most effective way to help.

Above all, please know how thankful we are for your continued support, and generosity. Your help enables us to offer not just practical help, but welcome, compassion, and hope to those who need it most. By giving thoughtfully and purposefully, together we can ensure every gift truly makes a difference.

Hope starts with you. Every donation makes a difference. Please give what you can and help us bring hope to those facing homelessness. Donate today.