The Kolpingsfamilie Beelen in Beelen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, will hold an old clothes collection drive throughout Beelen on Saturday, October 10, from 9:00 to 12:00. Donors can receive potatoes in exchange: every 3 items of old clothing handed in earns 1 portion of edible potatoes.

Key Points

  • Time and scope: October 10, 9:00–12:00 (Saturday), covering all of Beelen and its outskirts; donors from neighboring towns are also welcome.
  • On-site exchange: Handing in items at the central collection point at Villers-Écalles-Platz qualifies for the 3-for-1 potato exchange, with potatoes provided free of charge by Hof Tiggemann; items collected from the street are not eligible for the exchange.
  • Where the items go: Old clothes and shoes are sorted and reused by Kolping Recycling GmbH, with proceeds going to social causes.

The collection covers the entire town of Beelen and its outskirts. Residents planning to donate can place their packed old clothes and shoes in a visible spot by the roadside starting at 9:00 that day, and volunteers will collect them along the streets; those who prefer to bring them in person to the central collection point at Villers-Écalles-Platz may also do so. Donors from surrounding towns can also take part.

The potato exchange is a highlight of the event. The organizers say that all old clothes brought in person to Villers-Écalles-Platz can be exchanged for edible potatoes at a ratio of 3 to 1; the potatoes are provided free of charge by the local farm Hof Tiggemann, and the Kolpingsfamilie Beelen extends special thanks to farmer Stefan Tiggemann. Note that old clothes collected from the roadside are not eligible for the exchange; that part takes place only at the central collection point. This arrangement is consistent with last year's.

The collected old clothes and shoes will be handed over to Kolping Recycling GmbH for sorting and reuse, and the resulting income will be used for social and charitable causes. The organizers believe that donating old clothes both promotes textile recycling and sustainable use and supports various charitable projects.

The event is organized by the Kolpingsfamilie Beelen together with numerous volunteers. The vehicles needed for transport are provided free of charge by local businesses, and the organizers thank the companies involved, all the volunteers, and all donors.

Source: Altkleidersammlung in Beelen mit Kartoffeltausch · Originally published on 2026-10-02