Kristen Bell Gets Pushback For Saying Some Fire Victim Donations Are ‘Trash’
Actress Kristen Bell is facing backlash for comments she made about the donations being made to wildfire victims in California.
The 44-year-old actress posted a video with “Parenthood” actress Joy Bryant urging people not to “send trash” when making donations. “This is Kristen and Joy coming at ya semi-live,” Bell said in the video she shared to Instagram.
She continued, “So we went, we’re in LA and we went and volunteered yesterday at one of the donation centers and it was very cool to see everyone coming together but we noticed something that we kind of thought through and think we should share.”
Bryant added, “Yeah, people need a lot of things, including clothes and all kinds of things, but when we noticed that in the sorting of everything, we found stuff that [was] damaged or stained and people don’t need that.”
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“Garbage, we found some garbage, basically,” Bell said. “So we just wanted to remind everyone when you’re giving things, if you wouldn’t give it to your best friend, maybe don’t give it. Just because we want to be as respectful and dignified as possible.”
Bell asked that people donating items should wash and sort everything before giving it away.
“If you’re donating, like, you know, old toys or anything, maybe make sure all the parts are there, wipe it down, so people that are coming to get items that their family needs, they don’t feel like they’re picking up something dirty or used,” Bell suggested.
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“Yeah, don’t send trash,” Bryant said, prompting Bell to repeat, “Just don’t send trash, that’s really like the basic—so if this is helpful, use it. If it’s not, ignore us.”
The caption of the Instagram post said, “Remember as you are gathering donations: 1. New, or gently used and clean items only. 2. Organize into sizes and label into sizes. 3. Thank you!!!! It helps the donation center sooo much xoxo.”
Commenters on social media were divided, with many expressing outrage that Bell was judging the items people chose to donate.
“News flash most of us wear items that are torn or dirty. We can’t afford clothes with the price of groceries and gas and everything else,” one person wrote.
“I totally get that and don’t think people should donate stained or ripped clothes…but also as I was going through my closet I thought if I was in that situation I would wear semi-old sneakers or old jeans (as long as washed!) especially to get through these first horrible weeks. I would wear a random mickey mouse tee. If I had nothing and my kids had nothing I wouldn’t care about an older random hoodie. Just my 2 cents,” another person agreed.
“Complaining about donations is kinda crazy,” a third commenter agreed.
The wildfires, which broke out Tuesday and are still not contained, have caused billions of dollars in damage to residences and businesses in Southern California. More than 180,000 people have been evacuated from their homes, and many have no homes to return to.