DONATING GOOD VIBES ONLY
In the past, spring cleaning meant that I could purge anything that is not “in style” and buy all new things for the summer and fall. While I continue to purge items that I no longer NEED (because reusables will always be in style ☺) I am much more mindful of how I do this. Rather than drop it all off at Goodwill or other big chain thrift stores, where it goes through a long process before ending up in the actual store, textile recycling, or eventually landfill regardless – I pick and choose the items and their new homes. I have tried to make a list of possibilities for your items in hopes it makes your purging more mindful this spring! Please make sure items are washed and in good condition, kept in a way that you would still consider using.
Bandages: we donated our surplus of band-aids and first aid items to a local homeless shelter, other great ideas include: churches, nursing homes, daycare centers, community centers and local schools
Blankets: consider donating to homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters, local churches collect these for their patrons that are struggling and animal shelters are always appreciative of these donations.
Books: We donated ours to our local library and the neighbor’s free mini library in front of their home but afterwards we discovered amazing programs like Operation Gratitude, Books for Soldiers and Operation Paperback which sends books to soldiers. Programs like Books Through Bars and Books to Prisoners send donated books to incarcerated individuals (most prison programs require that they only be paperback.) Daycare centers and local schools are a great place to consider. Some animal shelters also implement Reading programs between children and shelter dogs in hopes of getting them ready for adoption. Lastly, there are secondhand book stores that welcome donations often for store credit exchange
Clothing: This can be broken down into several categories –
>Professional women’s attire? Consider “Dress for Success” which empowers women across the globe in their interviews and careers.
>Fun party dress or old prom dress? Many high schools have programs that donate gently used prom dresses to girls who cannot afford them.
>Children’s clothing? Domestic violence shelters have implemented programs where you can donate your kid’s clothes (and items!) to these families in need.
>There are also specific programs that have brick and mortar shops selling donated items for a great cause like Habitat for Humanity, SPCA, local animal shelters (we have a few!) and many cancer research programs
>If you are looking to make a bit back, some stores like Plato’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange will buy your used clothing for store credit
Furniture: while we donated ours to Habitat for Humanity, there is also many shelter programs that rent out empty homes and provide a safe space for victims of domestic violence to begin again and they accept donated furnishings. As well as online resources like pickupmydonation.com or donationtown.org that will send a truck from a charity to pick up your household items
Packing Supplies: we took ours to a local shipping office (bubble wrap and peanuts included!), you may want to consider an online Freecycle thread for any folks who are moving, the bubble wrap can be used at special education schools for sensory learning, U-Haul also has community boards where you can post your boxes
Toys: hospitals and doctors’ offices sometimes have a wish list up on their website for items they are seeking either as entertainment in the waiting room, to keep hospitalized children company or to serve as a prize when the appointment is completed. Reach out to a local daycare and see if they are in need as well as shelters for abused women and the homeless. Operation Homefront helps support military women and men on the move and may be able to use donated toys if the family has been recently relocated. Churches with a children’s ministry could use some toys, especially if they provide a care program for working parents. Social service, police and fire departments are also ways to connect your donated toys to a child.
There are many other great programs in place that take so many items you may have never even thought were needed (Like old mascara wands! Wands For Wildlife use them to remove fly eggs and larva from the fur of wild animals!) A quick search before you do a giant drop off maybe get your donation to people, animals and programs that could actually truly benefit from them <3 Happy Cleaning!