I haven't shopped at a thrift store, but we do donate quite often. My one son probably gives 30 trash bags a year to good will of his perfectly good clothing( he just loves clothes!) I use to donate used clothing to a organization for special needs people until I really read their brochure. Clothing, and anything made of fabric was bundled and sold overseas. They needed money more. I have no idea what use it is put to in other countries, but that kind of stuff is shipped by huge boat loads.