Can you donate homemade soap?

[pocomom]

I used to sell soaps and candles years before kids, recently the kids got into making organic natural soaps and bath products from scratch. I've been overseeing everything, so they are well made, safe and really are beautiful, smell nice etc. - Thing is we now have enough soap for the neighborhood. And they have already given soap to ALL our friends/family etc. I tried to encourage them to do a craft fair or something this summer but they are not entirely interested, so DD is wondering if we can donate the soap? And I really don't know... there is no packaging yet... but I mean the bars would sell for $4-5 each so it is not like they are junk ...and I would like to let the kids continue to do it as it is helping dd 11 find an interest in math (lots in homemade soapmaking) and is a nice clean hobby (couldn't resist) Any ideas?

 

[JessB320]

Could you figure out some cute packaging for it? You could make raffle baskets to donate to school/church raffles. If you have woman's shelter near you they would probably be very happy to take them. We have a group in town here that makes baggies of personal care items and passes them out to homeless groups, if you have a group like that in your town I'll bet they would love to have them.

 

[jedijill]

How about trying to sell it on Etsy or another online site?

Jill in CO

 

[pocomom]

How about trying to sell it on Etsy or another online site?

Jill in CO

I'm not sure it would sell at all? I would imagine people want to smell, touch etc. something like soap before they bought it? Idk, I did it all back well before etsy... maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the plain soap could sell as base for another crafter? But I wouldn't want them to go through the work of putting it up online and having none of it sell- kinda heartbreaking to lil ones.

 

[pocomom]

Could you figure out some cute packaging for it? You could make raffle baskets to donate to school/church raffles. If you have woman's shelter near you they would probably be very happy to take them. We have a group in town here that makes baggies of personal care items and passes them out to homeless groups, if you have a group like that in your town I'll bet they would love to have them.

I guess if we did some packaging it would make it more usuable... maybe an art project... just need something affordable...women's shelter is a great idea! Thanks! I was trying to think of some way the food bank could use it here since I'm familiar with it, but I don't think there is a way around the packaging issue for them. I need to find out if it is legal too, I imagine it is- just was suprised to find out they couldn't except leftovers from bake sale unless they bought them, crazy laws.

 

[tina.tina]

I worked in benefits at a local Social Services Dept. It was really sad how many truly needy applicants asked if we knew where they could get soap and other personal products.

That issue with baked goods is odd.

 

[Malibustyle23]

If you cant or choose not to go with the food bank, etc I'd suggest your local nursing homes. They elderly especially in nursing homes are often overlooked and forgotten. Plus your child could write up a small note to attach to each set. I guarantee the residents would love it especially if your kids are able to deliver them. I remember visiting nursing homes as community service projects in 4-H and they all loved the visits from young ones.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

If you cant or choose not to go with the food bank, etc I'd suggest your local nursing homes. They elderly especially in nursing homes are often overlooked and forgotten. Plus your child could write up a small note to attach to each set. I guarantee the residents would love it especially if your kids are able to deliver them. I remember visiting nursing homes as community service projects in 4-H and they all loved the visits from young ones.

They woudl love it- plus often times the residents are stuck with icky institutional toiletries. They would love a nice homemade soap, I'd think!

 

[DisneyShannon]

I have donated shampoo and conditioner to goodwill and they sold them im sure because I have seen them at the goodwill. My stuff came from bath and body works.

 

[momz]

can you share a link with instructions on how to make it? I have some girls in my life that would love this activity.

 

[dhardawa]

You might try the VA hospital too. I was amazed to find that the patients go without many personal care items because they are stocked by donation only. If no one donates, it isn't available.