When you're getting rid of items, instead of throwing them away, consider donating gently used items to local charities or mailing them to a worthy cause listed below. With some planning, you can make a big difference in someone's life! Below is a list of charities I have found over the 25+ years of organizing with clients. Here are some examples of things you can donate: The items include American Girl Dolls, audiobooks, baby items, bicycles, blankets (affiliate), cars or automobiles, CDs, clothing, electronics (including mobile devices), flags, food/canned goods, formal wear/gowns, furniture (affiliate), gym equipment & sports equipment, hangers (affiliate), household items, jewelry (affiliate), kids' books, mattresses and box springs, old trophies, prescription glasses, shoes (affiliate), stuffed animals, unused/unwrapped toys, work attire, and yearbooks. Scroll through the Jump To area below to get right to the charity section you are looking for.
Estimated reading time: 14 minutes
We do not endorse any of these donation locations.
Key Takeaways
- Consider donating gently used items instead of throwing them away to make a difference in someone's life.
- You can donate a variety of items like clothing, toys, and household goods to local charities or national organizations.
- Check out specific donation locations through drop-down menus for each type of item.
- Be organized when donating: create a checklist (affiliate), use bags and boxes (affiliate), and schedule time to donate.
- For tracking donations for tax purposes, several apps can help you manage where and what you donate.
Where can I donate this item?
Scroll through the list and click on the item you want to donate. It will take you to that section with a drop-down list of charitable locations.
Jump to:
- Key Takeaways
- Unused Toys Donation
- Gently Used American Girl Dolls Donation
- Stuffed Animals in good condition Donation
- Unwanted blankets and other animal supplies Donation
- Baby items(Gently or New) and other small household items Donation
- Baby Formula Donation
- Household Items to Donate
- Cell Phone and Mobile Devices Accessories Donation
- Canned Food Donation - not expired
- Kids' Books, CDs, and audiobooks (Gently used) Donation
- Medical Supplies Donation
- Kitchen supplies, Pots and Pans, Kitchenware, and dishes donation
- Business attire, casual clothing, shoes, hangers, etc. (Gently Used) Donation
- Custom Jewelry and Fine Jewelry Donation
- Dresses, Work Clothes, Gowns, and Wedding Dresses Donation
- Running Car Donation
- Old Trophies Donation
- Prescription Eyeglasses Donation
- Old Yearbooks Donation
- Gym Equipment and Sports Gear
- Old American Flags Donation
- Mattress and Box Springs Donation
- Everything else not listed here is to donate
- How can I remember to donate to these places?
- Supplies you will need to donate items
- Apps to help you track your donations
Several charities in Southeastern Pennsylvania accept donations of gently used items. I have also included United States-based charitable organizations outside of Pennsylvania for your convenience.
Click on the drop-down menu below to view the locations for your specific item.
Unused Toys Donation
Toys are easy to donate and can also be given to family and friends. Below are some places in the Southeastern PA region, as well as nationwide locations to find the right place for you.
Below are just three I found for the area and nationwide.The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and other children's hospitals
Daycare Centers
Churches, synagogues, Mosques, and other Religious Organizations
| Item Condition | Best Donation Location | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New/Unwrapped Toys | Marine Toys for Tots | Seasonal program (Oct-Dec) |
| Gently Used Toys | Daycare Centers | Call ahead to confirm needs |
| Educational Toys | Religious Organizations | Great for children's programs |
| Specialty Toys | Children's Hospitals | Must meet safety standards |
Gently Used American Girl Dolls Donation
American Girl dolls make a great gift (affiliate), but when kids outgrow them, they can donate them. Below are some places where you can donate these precious dolls.
Visit the American Girl Doll Philanthropy page for information on who they recommend.
Stuffed Animals in good condition Donation
Stuffed animals are a popular toy for kids, and gently used ones are easy to donate. See the list below.
Stuffed Animals for EmergenciesNew, unused, and recently purchased toys, Ronald McDonald House Charities
Unwanted blankets and other animal supplies Donation
We all tend to collect blankets (affiliate). Or if you've lost a pet and have supplies you'd like to donate, consider donating them to the following locations, in addition to the usual places like Goodwill.
Animal hospital centers, like ACCT Philly (Animal Care and Control Team).
Your local animal grooming and boarding place, the Pennsylvania SPCA animal shelter, is looking for items.
Baby items(Gently or New) and other small household items Donation
Kids grow out of baby things, so finding the right place to donate them is essential. Check with family and friends, as well as groups like The Freecycle Network, to see if they're interested. Also, check these sites below.
Women shelters, like Laurel House. The phone number for the office is 610-277-1860.
If you have larger baby furniture (affiliate), contact them to see if they accept the baby furniture (affiliate). Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Furniture (affiliate) Only). Enter your zip code here to find one near you.
There is a place called "Once Upon a Child" where you can sell gently used baby and kids' stuff.
Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia is accepting donations for baby and kid gently used items. Visit their website for details. There is a National Website, Chicago website, and Boston website if you live in these areas.
Check out my post, Where to Donate Baby Items, which has a detailed list of items and where to donate them.
Baby Formula Donation
This baby formula donation is beneficial. If you have unopened baby formula, here are great donation options. Otherwise, contact friends or family members who may use formula to see if they want the ones that are particularly open.
If you need to donate baby formula (not opened), you can check out Feeding America to find a Food Bank near you.
A Baby's Breath has several locations for baby formula donation.
Household Items to Donate
This list includes places that accept electronics, furniture (affiliate), tools (affiliate) and hardware, children's bicycles, and other miscellaneous items.
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, PA
Liberty Thrift and Home Furnishings
Some locations will pick up items, and some will require you to deliver them. 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, which will charge 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 links below are specifically for cell phones, tablets (affiliate), and accessories.
Apple has a Trade-In program where you can recycle any competitor's mobile devices and accessories. If you recycle their device, you may also get store credit for a new one. Visit this link for more information below.
Samsung also has a recycling program for its products. Check it out below.
Google also has a recycling program where you can recycle their phones, tablets (affiliate), etc..
Canned Food Donation - not expired
You can donate canned foods 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 Pantry list, and you can check your area to find the closest food pantry (affiliate) to donate your canned food near you.
Visit PA 211 for information on any items you may need.
Dairy Bread Community Food Pantry
Scouts for Food is a yearly event in November
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.
Perkiomen Valley Library at Schwenksville
Libraries
Check out this page to see where to donate books when you don't want them any longer.
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 donation location is critical so items don't end up in a landfill.
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
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.
American Veterans - AMVETS - They pick up in Maryland, Washington DC, Northern Virginia, Delaware, Texas, and Oklahoma. ***5 years old or less.
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
Undergarment donation - The Bra Recyclers
I found a great place, recommended by a colleague, where you can donate 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 bags of clothing and scraps of material and mail them postage-paid. They donate the items to thrift stores, donation centers, recyclers, resellers, and upcyclers. The company's goal is to keep items out of landfills.
Custom Jewelry and Fine Jewelry Donation
Custom jewelry (affiliate) can go to several places.
Goodwill Industries International Inc.
Crafters/artists
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.
Brides Across America - wedding dresses
Brides For A Cause - wedding dresses
Donate My Wedding Dress - wedding dresses
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
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 vehicle's papers for the vehicle.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul USA
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Old Trophies Donation
Read the requirements for trophy donations. They do not accept several types of trophies.
You can sell recycled trophies on Esty. Check out some examples here.
Thrift stores and nonprofits - may take old trophies. Contact places like Salvation Army and Goodwill to confirm before bringing them to the store.
Goodwill Industries International, Inc.
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.
The Lions Club International has a prescription eyeglasses donation. Feel free to read about the program here. At the Walmart Vision Centers, usually inside Walmart, they have a Lions Club bin. For local people: The Walmart, in Norristown on Trooper Road has a bin. I called to confirm.
Also, check out ReSpectacle - gently used glasses
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. I recently came across this one from another organizer. Feel free to check it out. Feel free to visit our What to do with old yearbooks for more tips.
Classmates High School Yearbooks
You can also contact your high school and ask them if they want it.
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 these options. Check out local schools in low-income areas to see if they are interested in purchasing newer gym equipment. Below are some places where you can donate gently used sports equipment, as well as local youth sports programs near you.
Old American Flags Donation
Old flags should be donated properly. Below are places to donate them.
Pennsylvania Civil War Battle Flags - Civil Ware flags
Stockings for Soldiers - Donate a "worn out" American flag
Stars for Our Troops - useable flags
Mattress and Box Springs Donation
Typically, you can donate mattresses and box springs to the company when you purchase a new mattress. However, if you want to get rid of your mattresses, the following are some options.
Salvation Army will accept mattresses and box springs in good condition.
Your local recycling center is a good place to go to recycle the old mattress and box springs. Be aware there may be a fee involved.
The Freecycle.org network can also be in your area, and you may be able to give it away for free.
Everything else not listed here is to donate
You can check out this site to find one near you: Donationtown.org
Additional Tips: Consult your accountant or financial advisor about any potential limitations on donating large (affiliate) 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 color dot name to the checklist (affiliate). Feel free to print the checklist (affiliate) below if you'd rather not create your own.
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 for supplies you'll 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, ask them directly how they prefer the items delivered. They may need grocery bags to reuse in their store. Or they may prefer 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. They can range from lawn bags (affiliate) that are very large (affiliate). Construction bags (affiliate) are also handy for heavier items. 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 (affiliate) 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 to actually donate these items. To avoid this, set an alarm on your phone or schedule 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.
Track Your Donation AppsNEW: Check out an app for iOS that will help you track your donations.
ItsDeductible Donation Tracker - Maximize your charitable donation tax deductions by Intuit Inc.
NEW: These apps for iOS will help you find charitable locations near you to donate to.
The Salvation Army Family Store App by The Salvation Army Family Stores
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.
"Giving to others is a great way to motivate yourself to declutter." ~ Sabrina Quairoli >>>Visit our HUGE List on the Charitable Locations To Donate Stuff page to donate your stuff today! #charity #donateitems #sabrinasorganizing Share on XPlease note these are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate), and I will earn affiliate fees at no additional cost if you decide to make a purchase.
Read more for more places to donate and how to donate.
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