Diving Physicians
What started as a cold dive in a dumpster to retrieve thrown winter jackets, became an initiative to divert waste and basic needs for those experiencing adversity.
*Pending Non-Profit Status*
What We Do
Our world is creating too much inventory for any one store to sell in a quarter. Unfortunately, many stores choose to throw their excess into a trash compactor, where it goes to waste. In this harsh economic climate, more families than ever are in need. Instead of throwing away retail excess, we encourage businesses to donate to Diving Physicians! We are a group of physicians from the Twin Cities who collect, sort, and divert retail waste to local charities.
​
Not only can we recycle our waste, but we can also help our local community.
What We Accept
-
Unused or Returned retail excess including
-
Clothing ​
-
also accessories such as jewelry, purses, socks, gloves, hats, shoes... ​
-
-
Furnishings ​​
-
Household Items
-
Pet supplies and food
-
Decorations​​
-
Tools
-
Electronics​​
-
We Cannot Accept
-
Laboratory Equipment
-
Food (we do not have means to refrigerate)
-
Broken glass
-
Building supplies​​
What if they cannot be donated?
-
Anything that cannot be directly donated is sold to support the charity needs including
-
Large truck rentals ​
-
Delivery charges
-
Gas
-
Business outreach
-
Volunteer gear: working gloves, reflective vests, etc.
-
Brand Recognition
Some brand names would not like to be recognized, but would like to donate.
We've got it covered. With a store request we destroy brand logos before donating, alternatively they can opt for the items to be sold for benefit of the organization, instead of donating directly. We try to donate as often as we can, however sometimes it is not feasible to donate high end branded items as they attract negative attention to individuals. In those cases the items are sold for profit that directly benefits the charities we support, or the Diving Physician fund itself.
Why Physicians?
As community leaders, physicians are in contact with individuals from the twin cities and greater Minnesota areas daily. We are entrusted with knowledge of patient's lives and hardships. Not only does poverty effect someone's circumstances, but also their health. We know that cortisol (a stress hormone) not only impacts an individual's ability to function cognitively, but also increases their cardiovascular, metabolic, and immune risk over time. Not to mention the effects of hunger, sleep deprivation, cold exposure etc. As involved members of our community who are deeply invested in the health of our patients, we want to help.
How It Started
One frigid Minnesota evening, store employees threw winter jackets into their dumpster. Having seen a person experiencing homelessness earlier that day, our charity founder jumped into the dumpster retrieving not one, but twenty winter coats in near perfect condition. After giving a coat to the unhoused gentleman she saw earlier, she donated the remaining to a resource center for the county, and "Diving Physicians" was born. What started as a dumpster diving mission turned into a collaboration with various stores in the area to divert their retail waste. Our group of physicians has collected homeware, clothing, pet supplies, healthcare personal items and distributed them to local organizations that directly support people in our community.
Contact Us
Have a question or want to get involved? Reach out to us today. We welcome your inquiries and are excited to connect with individuals and businesses who share our passion for giving back.