Jacob King Shocked After Spotting Donated Clothes for Sale Outside Lidl Just 45 Minutes Later
Jacob King thought he was lending a hand to a good cause — but what happened next left him speechless.
In a bizarre twist of events, Jacob took to TikTok to document an encounter that’s left thousands of viewers scratching their heads. Just 45 minutes after dropping off a bag of clothes at a charity donation box, he claims he saw them again — this time displayed on a railing outside a Lidl store.
No stall. No signs. No seller. Just his old jackets and shirts, laid out like a street-side pop-up shop.
“Point of view: you donate clothes to charity and 45 minutes later they’re being sold outside Lidl,” Jacob wrote in the caption of his now-viral video.”I respect the hustle, but this felt kind of violating.”
Naturally, social media had questions — and opinions. Comments flooded in, with many wondering if the donation had been made properly.
One user asked, “Did you dump the clothes outside or actually take them into a charity shop to be sold?” Another chimed in with a warning: “Donated how? If you left a bag with clothes in outside of a shop they are very liable to be taken.”
The mystery deepened, but Jacob cleared the air with a short follow-up: “Lots of people are asking the same question so I’ll answer it just once. I put the clothes in a charity donation box, which someone has then reached into.”
The post quickly sparked debate about the safety and effectiveness of charity bins — something that’s been a sore point for years within the non-profit sector.
While some viewers argued that the clothes were still helping those in need — regardless of how they were retrieved — others couldn’t help but feel uneasy about the situation.
One commenter suggested, “Isn’t that the whole point? Donate them so someone less fortunate can benefit from them in some way?”
Another admitted, “They must be very needy, but seeing your old stuff like that on display is a bit off-putting.”
Behind the viral moment lies a serious issue. According to the Textile Recycling Association, theft from clothing banks is on the rise — and it’s hurting charities where it matters most.
TRA President Ian Woods explained in a BBC interview how widespread the problem has become:
“We are appealing to the police and other government agencies to join us in the campaign to clamp down on all forms of illegal activity connected to textile recycling.”
He added that entire clothing banks have been stolen from car parks, costing organisations thousands. Replacing a single donation bin can rack up a bill of £1,500 — and the broader damage could top £1 million across the sector.
As for Jacob, he’s managed to find humour in the situation — even if the experience left him unsettled. And while it’s sparked light-hearted memes online, the incident also serves as a stark reminder: when donating, timing and placement matter more than you might think.
during opening hours.
