Originally Posted by Rowan

Thrift shops operate here in Australia and Canada as well and they really aren't equivalent to tip shops...

The original concept of Goodwill and Salvation Army was the donated furniture and clothing would go on to the poor to help them directly. Somewhere along the line, the concept changed and now it is big business to raise money to pay for the overheads of fat administrators before the cash gets into the hands of the people who need it the most.