Who Wants What?
Are you “tidying up?” Decluttering feels great, but what will you do with all the stuff you decide to get rid of? If selling your cast-offs isn’t your cup of tea, consider passing them along to others in need.
Where to turn for help? If you’re donating many different types of items, your easiest option may be donationtown.org , a nationwide directory of charitable organizations that accept clothing, furniture, shoes, toys, household items, and more. Just enter your zip code, select a group, and schedule a pickup.
When donating specific types of items, consider these options:
Small electronics
To support the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, visit ncadv.org/donate-a-phone, where you can print a free shipping label and donate cell phones and select digital electronics. Cell phones, smartphones, and tablets can also be donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers. Visit cellphonesforsoldiers.com for drop-off locations or to print a shipping label.
Reminder: Before donating cell phones or other devices containing personal data, remember to remove the SIM card or restore the original factory settings.
Furniture
The Furniture Bank Association of North America (furniturebanks.org) has over 80 locations in the U.S. and Canada that coordinate donations of gently used furniture and household furnishings to families in need.
Books
Check your local library. Even if they don’t accept donations, they may offer a collection day in conjunction with an annual book sale. You can also donate paperback books to troops, veterans, and military families through operationpaperback.org.
Sporting goods and equipment
Your community recreation center or local YMCA may be interested in these items.
Clothing
All major charitable organizations will accept new and gently worn clothing. But don’t assume old and torn items must go into a landfill. Many retailers will recycle any brand of clothing and some offer store credit. For starters, check American Eagle, H&M,
Patagonia, and The North Face.
Shoes
Visit soles4souls.org for a list of drop-off locations or to request a free shipping box.
Toys and children’s books
Clean plastic toys are collected in select east- and west-coast markets via secondchancetoys.org. (Check site for drop-off locations.) Local schools and daycare centers may also be interested.
Old towels and blankets
The Humane Society and other pet rescue shelters will happily accept these, along with various pet supplies.
If you’re planning to claim your donations as a charitable deduction, remember to snap a few photos of the items and ask for a receipt.
To support the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, visit ncadv.org/donate-a-phone, where you can print a free shipping label and donate cell phones and select digital electronics. Cell phones, smartphones, and tablets can also be donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers. Visit cellphonesforsoldiers.com for drop-off locations or to print a shipping label.
Reminder: Before donating cell phones or other devices containing personal data, remember to remove the SIM card or restore the original factory settings.
Furniture
The Furniture Bank Association of North America (furniturebanks.org) has over 80 locations in the U.S. and Canada that coordinate donations of gently used furniture and household furnishings to families in need.
Books
Check your local library. Even if they don’t accept donations, they may offer a collection day in conjunction with an annual book sale. You can also donate paperback books to troops, veterans, and military families through operationpaperback.org.
Sporting goods and equipment
Your community recreation center or local YMCA may be interested in these items.
Clothing
All major charitable organizations will accept new and gently worn clothing. But don’t assume old and torn items must go into a landfill. Many retailers will recycle any brand of clothing and some offer store credit. For starters, check American Eagle, H&M,
Patagonia, and The North Face.
Shoes
Visit soles4souls.org for a list of drop-off locations or to request a free shipping box.
Toys and children’s books
Clean plastic toys are collected in select east- and west-coast markets via secondchancetoys.org. (Check site for drop-off locations.) Local schools and daycare centers may also be interested.
Old towels and blankets
The Humane Society and other pet rescue shelters will happily accept these, along with various pet supplies.
If you’re planning to claim your donations as a charitable deduction, remember to snap a few photos of the items and ask for a receipt.
You can count on Jason Gelios SRES® to guide you through the process of buying or selling your home,
making the transaction less stressful and more successful.
making the transaction less stressful and more successful.
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