06/24/2026
Blue Donation Boxes Are Showing Up in Lake Charles – Here’s What We Found Out
Lake Charles Community,
You may have noticed some blue wooden boxes popping up in parking lots around town. They’re labeled “Clothing & Shoes Donation Center” and have the email "[email protected]" on the side.
KPLC 7 News recently reported on them after they appeared near Louisiana Famous Fried Chicken on Lake Street, near Market Basket at Lake and Country Club, near Small’s Sliders on McNeese Street, and in several other spots.
Property owners and managers told the news station that at least some of these boxes were placed on their lots without permission. KPLC reached out to the email on the boxes and received a response from someone representing the operation. The Lake Charles Better Business Bureau has said these particular boxes are not connected to any well-known charity. Local charities that KPLC contacted also said the boxes do not belong to them.
This situation has people asking questions, and that’s a good thing. Similar boxes have shown up in other cities, and public records plus news reports give us some useful information to share.
-A REAL COMPANY WITH SIMILAR NAME
Public records show there is a legitimate company called *Metroplex Recycling Company* that was incorporated in 1996. It once operated under the name “Value World, A Thrift Department Store.” You can look this up yourself on free public websites.
From everything that’s been reported so far in Lake Charles and from available public records, we haven't seen any evidence connecting that established company to the blue wooden boxes currently sitting in local parking lots. It appears someone is using a very similar name and a close version of the email.
-THIS HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER CITIES TOO
Lake Charles is not the only place seeing this.
In Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Councilwoman Crystal Bast and city officials have been dealing with unauthorized donation bins for months. Investigators found dozens of locations. Only a small number of donation bins in the entire city are properly permitted and run by approved companies. Many others were placed without permits and without property owner permission. The city has been tagging bins and giving owners time to remove them. Some cases involved forged documents and other issues that are still under investigation.
In North Richland Hills, Texas (near Fort Worth), city officials have warned residents about fake clothing donation boxes appearing in shopping center parking lots. Many were placed without permission and did not clearly support any charity. The city has been removing them.
These reports from different states show a repeating pattern: boxes that look similar, show up without clear authorization, and use contact information that is not easy to trace back to established local charities.
-WHY PEOPLE ARE PAYING ATTENTION
Placing a donation box on private property without the owner’s permission is against the rules in most cities. Many places also require operators to get a permit and display it on the box. When that doesn’t happen, it can create problems for property owners who then get code violation notices. It also makes it harder for people who want to donate to know where their items are actually going.
Some operations collect clothing and shoes and resell them. That’s not illegal by itself, but people usually expect their donations to go to a charity or local cause when they see a donation box. When the connection to any real organization is unclear, it’s natural to have questions.
-SIMPLE WAYS TO CHECK THINGS YOURSELF
You don’t need to be a professional investigator. Here are easy steps anyone can do in just a few minutes:
1. Google the contact information
Type the email in quotation marks into Google:
`"[email protected]"`. See what news stories, Facebook posts, or discussions come up.
Do the same with any phone number or name written on the box.
Also take pictures of the box and do a Google Image search to see what comes up.
2. CHECK FREE BUSINESS RECORDS WEBSITES
Go to OpenCorporates.com and search “Metroplex Recycling Company.” You’ll see the real company’s history, when it was formed, and where it’s registered.
For Louisiana businesses, you can search the Secretary of State website.
3. LOOK AT THE BOX ITSELF
Does it have a city permit sticker, a clear Organization name, a phone number, or a website? Legitimate programs usually make this information easy to find.
4. ASK THE PROPERTY OWNER
If the box is sitting in front of a store or business, ask the manager or owner if they gave permission for it to be there.
5. CALL YOUR CITY OFFICIALS
In Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish, you can call 311 or codes enforcement to ask whether a bin is permitted. In Louisville, residents are encouraged to report unauthorized bins the same way.
6. CHECK THE BBB
Go to BBB.org and search the name or email. Legitimate organizations often have profiles with reviews and history. Use their Scam Lookup Search.
7. You can always contact SAFE Net - Scam Awareness & Fraud Education Network. We will always assist you if you feel like you're being scammed.
www.safenetswla.org/report-a-scam
These quick checks help you make informed choices about where you feel comfortable donating.
-WHAT LITGITIMATE DONATIONS HAVE?
Established charities, thrift stores, and recycling programs that operate collection points normally:
- Have the required local permits where the city or parish requires them
- Clearly identify the organization on the bin or with signage
- Provide a real physical address, phone number, or website you can verify
- Often work with known local groups or have a long-standing presence in the community
Many good organizations do important work collecting clothing, shoes, and household goods. The concern in Lake Charles and other cities is mainly about boxes that appear without authorization and without clear ties to established, verifiable groups.
-WHAT YOU CAN DO
No, don't go drop an AirTag inside.
If a box looks questionable to you, note the location and report it to the city or parish. You can also choose to take donations directly to places you already trust, such as well-known local charities, churches, or thrift stores with physical locations.
Sharing clear information with neighbors helps everyone make better decisions. Good causes still need support, and there are many trustworthy ways to give in Southwest Louisiana.
Helpful links if you want to look further:
- KPLC 7 News story on the Lake Charles boxes: https://www.kplctv.com/2026/06/23/blue-donation-boxes-placed-around-lake-charles-are-scam-bbb-says/
- North Richland Hills, Texas example and tips: https://www.keranews.org/news/2026-03-10/fake-donation-boxes-are-popping-up-in-north-richland-hills-heres-how-to-spot-them
- Free business records search (OpenCorporates): https://opencorporates.com/
- Councilwoman Crystal Bast updates on Louisville bins (search her page for recent posts about illegal donation bins)
- Better Business Bureau: https://www.bbb.org/
If you have questions or want help learning more verification steps, feel free to reach out to us at SAFE Net.
We’re here to help the community stay informed so everyone can support the causes that matter most to them.
Stay curious and take care of each other.
— SAFE Net Scam Awareness & Fraud Education Network
(501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on education and awareness)
*This is general information based on publicly reported news and records as of June 2026. We are not a law enforcement agency. Always do your own current verification before donating.*
Report A Scam: www.safenetswla.org/report-a-scam
