Where do you donate your stuff?

[fallcolors]

Try the local chamber of commerce - they may know of some places that are in need of donations. Senior citizen facilities, nursing homes, community baby pantries and social services agencies. Schools also love hats, and gloves. Consignment shops would bring you in a little cash.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

Goodwill or St. Vincent DePaul. I have some items in my car ready to donate. I just need to find the time to drop it off.

 

[ambgoph]

We've donated clothes, books, and hosehold items to Vietnam Veterans of America. They pick everything up - just let them know where you're going to leave everything - no need to be home. They leave a receipt. It's very convenient.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

This may be a hike for the OP (who lives in Pennsylvania) - the VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) has a huge rummage sale twice a year here in northern NJ and they take donations of sellable goods. We donated all sorts of things there over the years. It goes to a great cause - it helps the nurses visit homes and provide home care to elderly people so they can continue to live in their own homes. I have gone to this sale many times since childhood.

http://www.visitingnurse.org

 

[MM27]

I donate to the local SPCA. They have a thrift shop for gently used clothing and household items. For other clothing, they have bins outside that get turned into rags and they get a percentage of the money from the company that collects them.

 

[Friendly Frog]

1.) We have a great organization here that does a lot for our community. It is always my number one choice because I know how far they make the dollars stretch. Most of the workers are volunteers from various church groups and they have two large stores in the area. The proceeds help the poor, the working poor, the homeless, and those struggling to remain in their home!

2.) Women's shelter. Our local one not only offers shelter, but also counseling on a sliding fee scale. ( Even to women not in the shelter.)

3) No kill shelter. The one in our area will take anything. They store the items in a donated storage building and once a year have a massive fund raising garage sale.



BTW- If you love pets, you should check out this group. http://www.petsofthehomeless.org/
Many homless people are in the streets because they do not want to give up thier pet, and shelters will not let you in with a pet. It is so sad, a pet may be the only love they get. This group helps the person and the pet!

 

[clutter]

Besides what's been mentioned, Nike recycles old shoes into playground material:

http://www.nikereuseashoe.com/

Dress for success helps low income women be dressed appropriately for job interviews:

http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

And our local library takes books for sale.

One of our local dry cleaning chains will take clothes for Dress for Success and clean them for free before donating.

If you have a local AmVets or Purple Heart, they both send trucks thru neighborhoods quarterly. We also have a children's charity that takes anything except upholstered furniture and mattresses. I like Freecycle too for those odd things.

I had a dresser that was just too beat up for charity or freecycle, so I put it out for the trash. Gone the next morning before the trash guys came. I think some people do the trash routes the night before the trucks to see if there's anything worth taking!

Also, be aware. Some people know the charity routes and help themselves before the trucks come. Some lady in a big old SUV took my entire Purple Heart donation one day.