Where to Donate All The Things…

Candace

5 years ago

So you just pulled out everything in your closet, you are completely MariKondo’d, and now you are like what do I do with ALL of this?

Is the only donation place Goodwill?

No. It’s not. I know it is SO tempting to drive to their drop off zone, but it’s for-profit and most of it gets trashed.

So, what do you do with the bras that no longer fit, the old suits, the flush mounts that came with the house in 1996?

I will tell you where I have found thus far.

I Support the Girls.

All of your bras and unused feminine hygiene products can be sent here. I have sent bras and random unused tampons to them a few times. They are so sweet and distribute essentials to women dealing with homelessness, poverty, and more.

ThredUp.

I have sent multiple boxes to ThredUp. It’s nice to have random emails about money show up, but contributing to the encouragement of second-hand clothing stores is always a good idea.

They pay to ship every time, and once the box is gone, in my mind it’s gone. I might get money building up here or there, but it either sells to someone who is stoked to find a low-cost gently used item or items are used for REMADE or Rescue Boxes. Remade is a clothing line made from second-hand fabrics that items were deemed unwearable; while Rescue Boxes are bulk buys on the site. Great for kid’s clothing!

Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

I discovered these in Atlanta, but they are all over. You can search your zip on their main page. The great thing about ReStores is that they are independently owned by your local Habitat for Humanity community; meaning your donations, or money from shopping there, goes directly back into your community. They have everything from extra tile to sinks, cabinets, books, furniture, light fixtures, and more.

It’s a wonderland for a DIY-er

eBay it!

Think it’s worth more than a few bucks? Create an eBay account and start the bidding. A few iPhone photos next to a blank wall or on a piece of white cardboard will do the trick. They pay to ship and you end up with money in your PayPal account. All of those $5-10 items add up.

Linda’s Stuff.

Got some fancy items that you don’t feel like listing yourself? Linda’s Stuff will split the profit with you and do all the hard work. I have found some items I love on there as well.

Click on her store and there is a little Consign Now blue button on the right.

Your Local Diaper Bank.

If the items you have are baby items, contact your local diaper bank. Whether it’s a few extra diapers, blankets, or a bunch of kid’s clothing; they will be so incredibly grateful. There is one in every major city. And if there isn’t contact the closest one. They normally have drop-off areas or places to ship to.

Facebook Marketplace.

It’s honestly a goldmine. You have to be priced to sell and I recommend not giving out your address to everyone who inquires. Pick a landmark that’s nearby, and don’t give out your address until they are on their way or have paid. No holds. No BS. It’s first paid/arrived first serve. We have sold everything from clothing to flush mounts to extra wood on Facebook.

Facebook Marketplace FREE.

Everything leftover, I list on Facebook Marketplace as FREE. I put it on the porch and the first person gets it. So many people want to flip things, or just need a light and don’t want to spend the money. Kids’ books (libraries and schools take them too!), clothing, old paint! what you are tossing, someone else needs.

Another way we did Facebook Free is to schedule a freebie Garage Sale. Everything went out in the driveway. I posted it on a page. People messaged me for the address. And anything left by 2 pm when to one of the other options.