Hello Spring, Goodbye Clutter!
Somehow it’s April & the season is changing… Are you ready?
Time to get outside and get rid of extra stuff in your house! I’ve got you covered from clothing drives to household goods, toys, and more! Expect a follow-up post on where to donate books…
Clothing Drives:
Reach out to your local shelter, community outreach center, school, church or thrift store to find out about clothing drives. Locate shelters through Helping the Needy or Network of Care’s mobile apps or Shelter Listings. Check in with the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation to schedule a pickup or find a drop box.
Jackets and Coats:
Create the Good’s guide to holding a coat drive can get you started with those bulky winter coats, and you can get further tips from One Warm Coat (national). Spring has sprung in NY but we all know it takes a while to really
Shoes (gently used!):
Check out ShareYourSoles & Soles4Souls
Check out my Women’s History Month post for more donation resources for women’s clothing and accessories!
Household Goods:
Extra toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, dishes, baby wipes or cookware taking up space in the house? Head on over to Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill — be sure to check their donation guidelines!
Check out Donation Town for tips on donating, lists of commonly accepted items or to schedule a pickup.
Toys:
With Pick Up Please, you can schedule a home pickup online, and they’ll come right to your door. Check their list of acceptable donations to see what you have that’s needed.
Glasses:
Drop by a local Sunglass Hut store to direct your donations to OneSight, an organization that will clean and refurbish your used eye wear and deliver it to one of their global eye care clinics.
None near you? You can drop off your unwanted eyeglasses to a Lions Club donation box in your community or mail them to the headquarters.
Food & Pantry Items
Setting up your own food drive?
Check out Create the Good’s guides to organizing a food drive and starting a food box program.
The items most in-demand: canned vegetables and fruits, coffee, rice, baby food and formula, powdered milk, canned meats, peanut butter and sugar.
Do-it-all organizations
Have lots of different items to donate and don’t want to deal with different organizaitons and places to drop off or ship items? Check out these charities that accept it all (within reason!).
Goodwill
Sells donated items, and in turn helps individuals find jobs and develop job skills. They accept clothing and accessories, electronics, household goods, furniture, books and multimedia, and more.
The Salvation Army
Sells donated items and uses funds to help children and families, the homeless, veterans, and others in need. They accept clothing, furniture, and other household goods. Offers free pickups.
Volunteers of America
Provides support for at-risk youth, those returning from prison, the homeless, the disabled, and those struggling with addictions. Accepts clothing, household items, and other used goods at their thrift stores located in various cities throughout the US.
Bye Bye Winter!
Was this helpful? Please share this post with others!
Any questions or resources you love that I missed? Let me know below!
Want to stay in the loop for more spring cleaning posts and fun virtual and socially distanced events? Subscribe to get full access to my newsletter and website. Never miss an update!
Hey NY, don’t forget to share this blog with friends!