The topic of Lost and Found items recently sparked a discussion on the Bobby Bones Show after Lunchbox arrived with a new water bottle. The bottle had a name written on it in Sharpie: Jackson. When asked where it came from, Lunchbox explained he found it in the Lost and Found at his child’s school.
This led to a broader conversation about whether taking unclaimed items from Lost and Found bins is acceptable. Lunchbox argued that school Lost and Founds often contain large numbers of forgotten items, including dozens of water bottles and jackets, and that most of them are never claimed. In his view, taking one is harmless, since families rarely return to find these items. Eddie then shared that the idea prompted him to check the Lost and Found at his gym. After asking staff about the items and being told they had been there “for years,” he was invited to look through the bin. Eddie left with a Nike sweatshirt and an indoor basketball that he said had no names or identifying information on them. He believed he was doing a favor by taking items that otherwise would have gone unused or eventually been discarded.
Others in the room felt differently. There was concern for the original owners who might later return to claim their belongings, as well as the idea that Lost and Found systems exist specifically to reunite people with items they misplaced. The group noted that most facilities eventually donate unclaimed items rather than disposing of them. Hotel lost-and-found practices also entered the discussion, with some sharing that asking hotels for chargers from their unclaimed bin is a common practice. The difference between that scenario and intentionally seeking items with no prior claim was debated.
In the end, opinions varied. Some saw the behavior as practical, given how often items remain unclaimed. Others viewed it as crossing an ethical line, emphasizing that Lost and Founds are not meant to be free-for-all resources. The conversation highlighted a simple but relatable question: when does an unclaimed item become fair game, and who gets to decide?