Hi. I’m Lynn. I have a sweet little family, a dog that never stops barking and a basement that’s a constant source of embarrassment. Friends aren’t allowed in the basement, for fear they’ll break up with me. Solicitors and tax collectors, however, are a different story. If they descend into the basement, there’s a very good chance I’ll never see them again. Finally, a good reason for my mess!
Here we are, on a good day. The tangled snarl of unused items. The junk. The embarrassment. The wasted space! Lately, I’ve been on a kick to clean the basement. I blame the sudden urge on the icicles growing on the outside of our house. It’s so blasted cold that I’ve got nowhere to go but down into the dungeon. Sure would be nice if the dungeon was a bit more cheery.
However, I’ve hit a bit of a snag. What to do with all that junk?
Most of the stuff is in very good condition. I hate to throw away perfectly good toys, especially when there may be a child out there who’d treasure such items. So I began doing a little research, and I discovered a few places that might accept donations of gently used stuff.
Local day cares, churches, even your child’s school might be able to use educational items like blocks, books, and toys. Neighbors with young children might welcome something your child has outgrown. Grandparents might need a few toys to entertain their visiting grandchildren.
Goodwill accepts donations of clothing, toys, electronics, household items, furniture, and nearly everything. I also discovered there are some charities that will come out to your house to pick up donations, like the Cancer Federation. I understand that the Vietnam Veterans has a similar service. There must be similar agencies in your neck of the woods.
Got a TV that still works? Maybe the local high school can use it. Churches can also use TVs for their classrooms. Got too many books that nobody reads any more? Check with your local public library. They often collect used books for fundraisers. Did you know that your child’s school library may accept book donations? I even Googled “book donations” and found a local place that collected books and send them worldwide. Try Googling “not for profit literacy programs” as well.
If you’re swamped with too many “grown up” books, try donating them to senior centers, assisted living places, and maybe even hospitals.
So, allow me provide a list of resources in case you’re looking for a place to donate your gently used outgrown items:
- Salvation Army
- Vietnam Vets
- Goodwill
- Cancer Federation
- Public libraries
- Local schools
- Churches
- Thrift shops
- Daycare centers
- Doctor’s offices and waiting rooms
- Children’s hospitals
- Shelters for women and children
- Freecycle.org
- Local social services programs
- Local literacy charities
- Neighbors with children or grandchildren
- Senior centers, assisted living centers
- Boys and Girls Clubs
- Google “used toy donations” to find local charities
While just throwing stuff away is easier than going to the trouble to donate my stuff, it gives me a warm feeling to think about the people who might really need the things I can give away. Believe me, a warm feeling is exactly what I need right now! Brrrr.
-Lynn
Lynn also writes for For Love or Funny, where she focuses on the lighter side of family life.
Mariel
Owner & Author at Or so she says...
Mariel (mahr-eeee-elle) is a mother to six, wife to one. Loves homeschooling, golfing, cupcakes, traveling, cuddling, non-fiction books, gardening, James Taylor, family time, and a sexy wedge. This is her blog. Enjoy!
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I am the queen at throwing stuff away- your post made me think twice! Thanks Lynn!
I love that there are so many options…so many I never thought of before (churches, school libraries, hospitals…) Great ideas!
Thanks Lynn, it was fun having you! Good luck with your basement
Mariel
I love Goodwill. I love to shop there and I love to donate there. Around my parts
they have tons of drive-thru donation centers, which are usually on main roads. I do have a problem though, giving up my daughters stuff. I often clean out her room and donate 50% of the stuff and keep the other half. She just turned 5 and I already have 4 totes of stuff I feel the need to keep. Part of this is fueled by my MIL. She kept a lot of her kids toys and I thought it was so neat to see them when we had our daughter. A lot of them brought back memories for me, original Little People, old McDonalds toys, etc. I want that for my future grandchildren that I may or may not have (we only have 1 child ourselves). 
You should have seen her attic before she turned a room into the “grandkids” room. Anyways, I need some help deciding what to keep and what to donate. I already feel guilty when my daughter talks about a toy she used to have and then she says I gave it away, even though she hadn’t played with it in a year. 
Agh, I could go on. . .