what do you mean the train station ?

i have some too , would like some more details 

La boîte à fringues

There is a big, metal box on my street where you can donate clothes. It's in amongst the recycling bins near the bottom of Avenue Dumas, 1206. I'm sure there must be similar boxes in other neighborhoods.

In some areas of Geneva, these yellow boxes "Boites à fringues" are no longer recommended, as they are regularly "burgled" and "looted" by some people.

The best and safer you could do is bring your stuff directly to one of these charity shops:

Red-Cross geneva: http://www.croix-rouge-ge.ch/index.php?page=vet-shop

Caritas: http://www.caritasge.ch/p107001157.html

Centre social protestant: http://www.csp.ch/ge/brocantes/boutiques.php

Emmaus: http://emmaus-ge.ch/

The metal boxes are a good idea, but some of them are raided by the gypsy beggers and goodness know if they resell them for profit, organized crime.

I wonder how these gypsies get in. The boxes are made of steel and you can't get access to the inside through the vault door. 

I assume you're not making this kind of claim without some evidence; you wouldn't want to dissuade people from giving their clothes to charities such as the Red Cross I assume.

I dont know who did but in my area of Servette, next to the park, there is one of these chartiy metal box. I wanted to deposit some jackets, shirts, jean and found it had been broken into, the locks cut. So after this, i just went to another one next to McDonalds as it is more visible and less chance it is broken into. And its almost accross street from the Police. (Rue Hoffman and Rue du Servette)

These boxes are really "emptied" by some people.

Emmaus and some other local charity associtions have said "it's a real problem".

http://www.20min.ch/ro/news/geneve/story/Les-Roms-ma-tres-des-collecteurs-d-habits-27634415

I've seen it with my own two eyes, they send their children in propped up on the back of an adult to get into the metal clothes box, it's dangerous but they do it. P.S Am not racist or anything, I have already spoken to Gypsies and had amicable exchanges with them,just last Friday in fact, just in case anyone thinks so. Merci

Apologies for a stupid question, but what is the logic for bringing clothes to the charity SHOPS? I have one of the shops from the centre protestant social on the way to my office. They SELL clothes there. Yes, the prices are low, but they still make money on this. What is the logic? IMHO, if it is a charity, that means it should be for free. I don't understand why someone should make money on my donation?! Do I miss anyhing? If yes - can you pls explain what is the logic?

All charities need to raise funds to implement their objectives – caring for the destitute, the sick, the impaired, the elderly, etc., etc.

This money is acquired by appeals for financial assistance..

An additional source of income is to recycle donations of goods that have a resale value – clothing, toys, books, furniture, household items, even nuts, bolts and nails (at the Salvation Army).

Many of these items are in excellent condition and it would be irresponsible to put them out for trash.

To reduce admin. costs, charities also rely on the goodwill of people who offer their skills for free – in shops, transporting donations, visiting the sick and the infirm, innumerable ways where help is needed.*

So, as a member of the public, you can contribute to a good cause in  cash, by volunteering your skills, by donating material goods you no longer need, and by purchasing something they have to sell.

FYI refugees and others who are on minimal benefits receive vouchers which they can exchange for goods at specified charity outlets.

These shops are great places for bargain-hunters, especially baby equipment and clothing, books, bric à brac and furniture.  The volunteer sales ladies  are generally very friendly and take great pride in their window- dressing. 

I hope this will reassure you as to the social value of the charity shops.

Ritchie

*Also for the record, you don’t have to be down and out to ask a charity for help.  I called on assistance for shopping recently when I was housebound after an accident and all my friends were away.  I gave a donation but it wasn’t obligatory.

Dear Ritchie, thank you for the clarifications! Now it totally makes sense for me :)

I have to confess that in my home country charity is not that well developed and many people manipulate with the fonds, that's why we are used to be very suspicious in such cases. 

Am very pleased to know my post was of help and interest.  I now also understand your initial reticence towards charity shops.

For a simple outing on a rainy day, you might like to visit the Centre social protestant’s “Renfile” showrooms in Meyrin and Plan-les-Ouates.

The Red Cross also has shops which sell fashionable end-of-range upmarket clothes and accessories.  These are more expensive than the regular outlets but if you’re the right size on the right day, you can  look like a million dollars for the price of a song.  They also stock costumes for “Escalade” and other fancy dress parties.

Happy hunting!

R.