Where to Donate After Decluttering

You probably already have a local drop-off center where you bring your old clothing and housewares, but did you know that there are a lot more options out there? Below we’ve rounded up several that accept everything from art supplies to newspapers, old printers to stuffed animals, all tailored around a good cause. Before donating, make sure to read each organization’s instructions on what is acceptable, as well as when and where to donate.

BRIDES ACROSS AMERICA

Brides Across America (BAA) is a non-profit committed to loving one another by gifting weddings and wedding gowns to our military & first responders. Find out how to donate your gown here.

DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Dress for Success is an international non-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. You can find your local Dress for Success location here and see what items can and cannot be donated.

GOODWILL

When you donate your new and gently used items, local Goodwill organizations sell them in stores or on shopgoodwill.com and use the revenue generated to provide valuable employment training and job placement services for people in your community. Goodwill accepts a number of donated items such as gently used clothing, housewares, furniture, and appliances. They even accept electronics, TVs, and bikes. You can find your local donation center here.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RE-STORE

Habitat for Humanity Re-Stores are home improvement stores that accept both small and large donations of new or gently-used housewares, furniture, appliances, building materials, and more. Many habitat stores offer pickup of furniture donations as well as other large items.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY

The Humane Society is the United State’s largest animal protection organization. Some things that these shelters need include: newspapers; towels and blankets; pet food and treats; heating pads and blankets. Google to find your local shelter.

LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL

If you've recently changed prescriptions or started wearing contacts, you could pass your old eyeglasses onto someone who needs them. Look for a Lions Club International recycling center in your community or mail your pair to the group's headquarters.

LOCAL CLOTHING CLOSETS & FOOD PANTRIES

A simple Google search will reveal a list of local clothing closets and food pantries in your community. Call ahead to see what specific items they need and when they are open for drop-offs. Along with clothing and food, they often accept items such as diapers, pull-ups, toiletries, bedding, towels, and bikes.

YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL

If you are looking to donate items such as pencils, art supplies, magazine, etc… look into contacting your local elementary, middle or high school art or drama teachers to see if these could be of use. Have a large amount of fabric or quilting supplies? Reach out to your local home-ec teacher.

NIKE REUSE-A-SHOE

The Reuse-A-Shoe program collects old, worn-out athletic shoes for recycling and transforms them into Nike Grind, a material used to create courts, tracks, fields and playgrounds. Find a Nike store near you.

SECURE THE CALL

Secure the Call is a 501(c)(3) charity that collects used cell phones, wipes them clean and then gives them to senior citizens and domestic violence survivors who need a way to contact 911. Find out how to mail in your phone here.

SOLES 4 SOULS

Soles 4 Souls provides shoes to people living in poverty and helps with disaster relief efforts, providing clothes and shoes to people. They also help create entrepreneurship opportunities for people in need. Find out where to donate your shoes here.

STUFFED ANIMALS FOR EMERGENCIES

Stuffed Animals for Emergencies (SAFE) provides comfort to children who have been through traumatic events and emergency situations with stuffed animals, blankets, toys and other child and baby items. They take clean, gently used stuffed animals, blankets, clothes, and some other toys. You can find more information about donations here.

WANDS FOR WILDLIFE

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit that coordinates the needs of wildlife rehabilitation in Western North Carolina providing care for injured and orphaned wildlife, support for the wildlife rehabilitation network and conservation education to the community. Before tossing away your old mascara, clean the mascara wand and send it to Wands for Wildlife where they will use it to help treat baby animals and remove bus from their fur.

In October and February, mail form, old wands & donations to: P.O. Box 1211, Skyland, NC 28776.

Photography: Luke & Ashley Photography