Check on charity before giving, BBB tells donors

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The Better Business Bureau is cautioning people to be more aware of their donations and who is receiving them.

According to a press release from the bureau, the Planet Aid organization is in violation of three of the 20 BBB Standards for Charitable Accountability.

The Planet Aid organization takes clothing and other donated items and sells them through consignment stores across the United States and Europe, the release says.

The donated items are received through Planet Aid collection receptacles across the country, including in Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The release added that proceeds from those sales are used to support programs in Africa, Asia and Central America.

The bureau also encourages consumers to check the BBB Reliability Report on an organization before donating.

For more information, contact the bureau at www.youngstown.bbb.org, or call (330) 744-3111.