With all the extra time spent at home these past couple of months, you’ve probably started to reconsider many of the items you own. If you’re one of the people who has used this time to go through your belongings and get organized, you may have a growing pile of items you no longer need.
Here’s a list of places that accept donations of household items.
General household wares: There are a few locations accepting donations of general household items at this time. The Salvation Army is accepting donations of basic supplies across the country, including cleaning items, laundry detergent, paper products, and nonperishable foods. If you have household items like furniture and clothing, Chagrin Falls, OH, interior designer Kathleen Goldfarb recommends scheduling a pickup with your local chapter. The Salvation Army also accepts appliances and vehicle donations, so consider this charity if you have a lot to give!
Food: Sadly, many people are without food at this time. Consider donating to your local food bank if you have an excess of nonperishables like canned goods or other shelf-stable foods. Feeding America is an excellent resource for finding food banks in your area. On the other hand, if you don’t have an abundance of food, you could volunteer your time at a local soup kitchen.
Pet supplies: If you have extra pet supplies in your home, consider giving the excess to local shelters. From bedding to unused toys, food, cat litter, and accessories like leashes and collars, animal shelters are often in need of donations. Contact your local humane society to see if there are specific needs you can fulfill at the shelter, or if there are particular donations that they won’t accept.
School and office supplies: Are your kids grown and out of school? Perhaps your office has gotten a little cluttered with extra supplies. If you find yourself in excess of paper goods, pens, pencils, and other office supplies, consider donating them. Check with local schools or teachers in the community — class may not be in session, but students are still learning. Schools often provide less fortunate students with the supplies they need to succeed, so if you have extra supplies, your donation could help!
Medical supplies: The coronavirus pandemic has wiped many local medical facilities clean of supplies. If you have extra face masks, gloves, or other medical supplies that are still sterile and packaged, a local healthcare facility may be able to use them. Be sure to contact the facility you wish to donate to before dropping anything off. There may be special rules and restrictions regarding your donation.
Time: Perhaps you haven’t gone through your home yet, or maybe you have but didn’t find anything you wanted to part with. If you find time is something you have a lot of, consider volunteering at any of these locations in your area. Many of these facilities could benefit from your help during this uncertain time.
Put the items you no longer need to good use! Consider donating food, furnishings, clothing, or even your time to a reputable establishment in your community.