where to donate your treasuresI’m often asked, ‘where do I donate _______?’ (fill in the blank).  When I’m asked this question is typically during, or after a purge session.  Whether it’s spring cleaning, or time to downsize, you may come across items that are not trash-worthy.  These items still have mileage in them and you don’t want them to end up in a landfill.  The obvious solution is to recycle them.

Recycling has a variety of meanings; send to a recycling facility, repurpose/reuse, sell or donate.  This post focuses on where to donate specialty items. There are many charities that accept donations.  The most common well-known charities to donate household goods to, may be Goodwill, Vietnam Veterans & Salvation Army.  There are a host of worthwhile charities where you can donate your treasures.  Some are specific to local areas, others have nationwide locations.

There are also junk hauling companies that actually donate reusable items they pick up.  They also recycle items.  College Hunks, 1-800-Got-Junk? & Rubbish Works all work to keep as much as they can out of landfills.

Most of my clients have a preferred charity where they want to donate their items.  However, sometimes they have specific items that they feel would be better served by donating them to a different type of charity.  The list below shows a variety of charities where you can donate specific items.

  • Habitat For Humanity – Many local Habitat for Humanity affiliates operate ReStores, which sell reusable and surplus building materials, furniture and appliances to the public. The proceeds fund local Habitat house construction.
  • Leftovers, etc. – The number 1 creative and educational resources facility in the St. Louis region.
  • Dress For SuccessThe mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
  • Medals4Mettle – Medals4Mettle accepts medals won and donated by marathoners and gives them to individuals dealing with disease, handicaps or other similar challenges.
  • Project Linus – Project Linus provides homemade blankets to children in need. Our blankets are lovingly made by adults & children from all walks of life and many different sources.
  • St Louis HELP – Health equipment lending program. Louis HELP provides anyone in need access to free home medical equipment through our recycle and reuse program, enabling them to live as independently as possible and remain contributing members of the community.
  • Cell phones for soldiers – Provides refurbished cell phones for American soldiers. Visit their website for drop off locations.
  • National Cristina Foundation – You can donate computers, printers, software & other technology to the National Cristina Foundation.
  • Recycled Card Program – Operated by Kids’ Corp., a program for the children at St. Jude’s Ranch to learn entrepreneurship skills. The children participate in making the new cards by removing the front and attaching a new back. The result is a beautiful new card made by the children and volunteers. The benefits are two-fold: customers receive “green” holiday cards for use and the children receive payment for their work and learn the benefits and importance of “going green”.

Where do you donate your treasures?