Charitable Locations To Donate Stuff

Household Items to Donate

This list is all the places that accept electronics, furniture (affiliate), tools (affiliate) and hardware, children's bicycles, and other miscellaneous items.

Some locations will pick up, and some will need to deliver the items. Check the site below to find out their policies.

NOTE: Pennsylvania passed a law regarding the recycling of tube TVs, but hasn't yet established the procedures. To get rid of your tube TVs, you will need to either give them away on Craigslist or contact a haul-away company, where you will pay a fee.

Feel free to visit a more detailed post on how to donate electronics: HOW TO GET RID OF HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONICS

Cell Phone and Mobile Devices Accessories Donation

The list of links below is specifically for cell phones, tablets (affiliate), and accessories.

Canned Food Donation - not expired

Canned foods can be donated if you need to get rid of them. Below are some suggestions on where to donate canned foods. Food pantries and local shelters in Southeastern PA are in abundance. Pennsylvania also has a Food Pantries list, and you can check your area to find the closest food pantry (affiliate) to donate your canned food near you.

Learn more about the USDA and what you are not liable for when donating food, it also talks about restaurants and farmers doners.

Visit PA 211 for information on any items you may need.

Kids' Books, CDs, and audiobooks (Gently used) Donation

Kids should always be learning, but when they have outgrown their books, CDs, and audiobooks, consider donating them to these places.

Medical Supplies Donation

You can donate wheelchairs, crutches, and blood pressure cuffs can be donated to:

Kitchen supplies, Pots and Pans, Kitchenware, and Dishes Donation

Finding the right location to donate is critical so it doesn't get tossed in a landfill.

Business attire, casual clothing, shoes, hangers, etc. (Gently Used) Donation

Be sure to wash the clothes before donating. Contact them first before dropping off the items.

Undergarment donation - The Bra Recyclers

I found a great place, recommended by a colleague of mine, where you can donate your gently used undergarments. Visit their page, The Bra Recyclers, for more information. You will need to wash the items and then fill out the online form and mail the items to them. They are located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Check out ReTold Recycling; there is a fee, but you can fill up the bags of clothing and scraps of material and mail them to them postage-paid. They donate the items to thrift stores, donation centers, recyclers, resellers, and upcyclers. The goal of this company is not to place items in a landfill.

Custom Jewelry and Fine Jewelry Donation

Custom jewelry (affiliate) can go to a variety of places.

Visit our post: Where to donate jewelry you do not want for more options.

Dresses, Work Clothes, Gowns, and Wedding Dresses Donation

If you have several dresses, formal wear, or work clothes, consider donating them to a worthy cause.

Running Car Donation

Check out local charities to see if they need a running vehicle. Alternatively, you can explore the locations listed below. Be sure you have the owner's papers for the vehicle.

Old Trophies Donation

Read the requirements for trophy donations. They do not accept several types of trophies.

Prescription Eyeglasses Donation

If you have unused prescription eyeglasses, you can donate them to local organizations, such as the Lions Club. Pick-up locations are available at Walmart Vision Centers. See the link below.

Visit our NEW post: 15 Charitable Locations with a Cause, for even more options for your unwanted stuff!

Old Yearbooks Donation

There are places to donate your unwanted yearbooks. This one is one I just recently came across from another organizer. Feel free to check it out. Feel free to visit our What to do with old yearbooks for more tips.

Visit our post about "Where to Donate Old Yearbooks" to get even more information.

Gym Equipment and Sports Gear

If you have gym equipment and sporting gear you'd like to donate, consider the following places. Check out local schools in low-income areas to see if they are interested in purchasing newer gym equipment. Below are some locations where you can donate gently used sports equipment, as well as check out local youth sports programs near you.

Old American Flags Donation

Old flags should be donated properly. Below are places to donate them.

Mattress and Box Springs Donation

Typically, mattresses and box springs can be donated to the company when you purchase a new mattress. However, if you want to get rid of your mattresses, the following are some options.

Everything else not listed here is to donate

You can check out this site to find one near you: Donationtown.org

Additional Tips: Consult with your accountant or financial advisor about any potential limitations on your donation of large quantities of items. With the new tax laws, there may be limits on how much you can deduct from your tax return. 

How can I remember to donate to these places?

Create a 'where to donate' charitable donation sheet as a reminder.

Create your list of charitable donation locations. Include columns like the address of the area, what you donate to that charity, the phone number or email for any questions, their hours, and pick-up or drop-off times. Using colored dots to mark the larger items works nicely if you cannot be present when they are picked up. You can even add the name of the color dot to the checklist (affiliate).  Feel free to print the checklist (affiliate) below if you prefer not to create your own. For more information, click here.

Supplies you will need to donate items

It's easier to bring items to these donation locations in bulk, organized in some order, to help not only yourself but also others. Below are some suggestions on what supplies you would need when decluttering and donating items to charities.

1. Pick a spot in your home to place donated items

Pick an area of your home to store these donated items like a garage (affiliate) so you can spread out and place them in different areas if they are going to different charities.

2. Ask the small charity what they prefer

First, if you are donating to a particular organization, you can ask them directly how they prefer the items to be delivered. They may need grocery bags to reuse in their store. Or they may choose to use garbage bags or paper bags.

3. Bags

You will need a variety of bags for decluttering and donating items. Bags will range in size. depending on the things you are placing in them. It can range from lawn bags (affiliate) that are very large. Construction bags (affiliate) are also handy for things that are heavier. Kitchen bags (affiliate) are great for smaller things as well as clothing.

4. Boxes

You can also use a variety of boxes (affiliate). Shipping boxes (affiliate) work nicely. However, boxes (affiliate) that are too large may be difficult to handle and move. They can be useful for delicate items you need to donate. Covering the items in bubble wrap (affiliate) or tissue paper (affiliate) will help secure them.

5. Schedule time to go donate

We sometimes forget actually to donate these items. To combat this issue, try adding an alarm to your phone or scheduling an appointment in your calendar. If you are a paper person, get a sticky note and place it on the back of your phone that says, "Donate items to ....". All these reminders work well to prompt one to finish a task.

If you are looking for more things for moving help, feel free to check out my moving posts here:

Apps to help you track your donations

Want to track your donations? Below are apps you can use to track your donations and where you donate them for tax purposes.

If you are looking for charity locations outside of Pennsylvania, please visit Charity Navigator.  You can search by zip code. =)

Are you looking for another way to recycle your boxes (affiliate) AND donate things? Check out this company called Give Back Box. Read more about them here. -NOT an affiliate. Are you going to try it?

Well, there you have it! I hope this page helps you get rid of unwanted items. This extensive list provides a great place to donate items from your life.

Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate), and at no additional cost, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.

Read more for more places to donate and how to donate.

I offer Solution Consultations that we can do virtually where we discuss solutions for each of your rooms in your home. Visit that service here: Solution Consultations

I also offer Virtual Organizing to help motivate a DIYer to help them be accountable for a well organized home. Check out my service: Virtual Organizing Consulations

Contact the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals to find a Professional Organizer near you.