<\/p>\n
North Richland Hills says it has removed this clothing donation bins like this one because they do not have a charity name or contact information listed on the structures.<\/p>\n
North Richland Hills<\/p>\n
During the past several months, North Richland Hills officials noticed an uptick in fake donation clothing boxes cropping up in busy shopping areas.<\/p>\n
The bins are placed in high-traffic commercial parking lots. Residents assume the boxes are there for a good cause, said Mary Peters, a city spokesperson.<\/p>\n
\u201cReally, we don\u2019t know where they came from, who put them there, or what happens to items that are donated,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Peters said that right now, there aren\u2019t any fake donation bins, but one was removed from a parking lot on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Most of the bins are made from painted plywood, and they are placed on businesses property without permission.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe business owners don\u2019t want the bins there because they can lead to trash and other dumping on their property,\u201d Peters said.<\/p>\n
Peters said people are encouraged to take donations to charities, rather than a \u201crandom box\u201d on the corner.<\/p>\n
Several nonprofit organizations in North Richland Hills have stores where residents can donate.<\/p>\n
People can also contact charities and ask about their dropoff sites.<\/p>\n