Health & Fitness
Where Can I Donate...?!?
Ever wondered what to do with your empty DVD cases, "fat pants," or old glasses? BrownThumbMama solves the mystery for us.
I’m always trying to downsize and streamline our possessions before they take over the house. We’ll never be called true minimalists, but looking at an organized cabinet or linen closet is a great feeling.
Since I don’t like to throw things away, I donate. My original solution was to bring everything to Goodwill--dishes, books, clothes, tchotchkes. After some comments from readers on Facebook, I realized that I could support my favorite organizations by spreading my donations around.
Yes, this requires more work when sorting and delivering donations. But since I’m not able to donate money or time to all of these groups, this is the next-best thing. Here’s where I donate our gently used, excess items, and why I chose each organization.
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Blankets, comforters, towels
Where: Sacramento SPCA
Why them: They provide a safe and nurturing environment for unwanted, abandoned and mistreated pets until they can be placed into loving homes--without any government, state or city funding. The Sacramento SPCA is supported through private contributions.
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Books
Where: Friends of the Library
Why them: One of the primary ways the Friends of Sacramento Public Library raises money for new materials and program initiatives is through the sale of gently used books.
CD or DVD cases
Where: Resource Area for Teaching Sacramento
Why them: Everything you donate is used to help children learn. RAFT repurposes your items, and they become part of science, math or art activities.
Clothing (adult or child)
Where: Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Why them: SFBFS provides more than 450,000 articles of clothing free of charge to families and individuals in need throughout the Sacramento community. Clients are welcome to shop once a month, and all items are provided at no cost.
Excess garden veggies or fruit
Where: Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Why them: SFBFS provides a five-day supply of emergency groceries to families in need five days per week. More than 18,000 individuals receive an abundance of fresh groceries every month.
Expired coupons
Where: Military families overseas through Coupons for Troops
Why them: Overseas military members can use coupons several months after their expiration date. These families are often living on one income and money can be scarce.
Eyeglasses
Where: VSP Eyes of Hope
Why them: Once VSP receives the donated glasses, they refurbish and send them throughout the world via mission trips conducted by VSP doctors and other partners who help identify people in need.
Do you sort your donations? Have something to donate but can't find the right organization? Tell us about it in the comments.
Originally published Sept. 19, 2011 on BrownThumbMama.com.