where to donate gently used toys and clothes

by Dena Hand 7 min read

10 Places to Donate Gently Used Children's Toys
  • Charities. Salvation Army and Goodwill are two of the most recognizable charities that take toy donations. ...
  • Hospitals. ...
  • Doctors' Offices. ...
  • Daycare Centers. ...
  • Shelters. ...
  • Children's Homes. ...
  • Military Families. ...
  • Religious Centers.
Nov 6, 2020

Where is the best place to donate toys?

Dec 20, 2021 · With the holidays and the end of the year already coming up, now is the perfect time to gather your gently used clothing or toys you no longer need and pass them on to those in need. If you don't want money from reselling items or don't want to take the time to sell, donation is the best thing we can do. Many moms will bag items automatically items to take to large …

Where can I donate slightly used toys?

The Salvation Army accepts donations of new and used toys, stuffed animals, clothes, shoes, housewares, electronics and more. Your donated toys, games and clothes will be sold in Salvation Army thrift stores, allowing low income families to purchase them and give their kids toys they might otherwise never get.

Where can I give toys to charity?

Where to donate toys for needy kids?

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Where can I donate used toys UK?

Where to donate toys for ChristmasSalvation Army. Every year, the Salvation Army run a Christmas Present Appeal in churches and centres across the UK. ... Giving Tree via Kids Out. ... Action for Children. ... Great Ormond Street Hospital. ... British Heart Foundation. ... The TOY Project. ... The Toy Appeal. ... Little Village.More items...•Dec 2, 2021

Where can I donate used toys in Boston?

Donating Kids Items in the Boston AreaCradles to Crayons.Little Fox.Children's Clothing Exchange through Solutions at Work.Sister Thrift.Second Chances.Room to Grow.WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)Keeping Pace With Multiple Miracles.More items...•Sep 20, 2018

Where can I donate used toys in Sydney?

Children's Clothes, Toys and Baby EquipmentThe Children's Hospital at Westmead.Dandelion Support Network.Mummies Paying It Forward.Save the Children (West Ryde op shop) (clothes and toys, including soft toys)More items...•May 14, 2018

Is Toys for Tots a good charity?

Did you know that Toys for Tots is a top rated charity? 97% of your donation goes to our mission of providing toys, books and other gifts to less fortunate children. The 3% spent on support principally covers fundraising expenses – not one donated dollar goes to pay for salaries or any other manpower costs.

Where can I donate used toys in Massachusetts?

10 Places to Donate Gently Used Children's ToysCharities. Salvation Army and Goodwill are two of the most recognizable charities that take toy donations. ... Hospitals. ... Doctors' Offices. ... Daycare Centers. ... Shelters. ... Children's Homes. ... Military Families. ... Religious Centers.More items...•Nov 6, 2020

Where can I donate toys for Christmas Boston?

Boston. Kennedy Brothers PT. 45 Franklin Street. ... Cohasset. Kennedy Brothers PT. Tedeschi Plaza. ... Needham. Kennedy Brothers PT. 633 Highland Ave. ... Lexington. Lexington Toyota. 409 Massachusetts Ave. ... Beverly. NE Computer Techs. 180-186 Cabot Street. ... Boston. Seaport Hotel. 2 Seaport Lane. ... Newton. Comella's - West Newton. ... Concord. Comella's.Dec 6, 2021

Where can I donate old toys in Australia?

Charity bins across Australia have been overwhelmed, with many goods piling up outside bins, rendering them unusable and unsaleable. It's important when donating to be mindful of how it will be used again....GeneralSalvation Army.Lifeline.Red Cross.St Vincent de Paul.

What can you do with old toys Australia?

Give your old toys a second life TerraCycle and BIG W have partnered to create Toys for Joy, a free recycling program for all brands of pre-loved toys. If they are not fit for re-homing, you can now drop them off at selected BIG W stores across Australia to be recycled.

What can I do with old stuffed toys Australia?

We've got some excellent ideas for you, ranging from donating them, to repurposing them into handy items for around the home .Donate To Op Shops Or Not-for-profit Organisations.Donate To Emergency Services Or Hospitals.Donate To A Pet Shelter.Arrange A Swap With Family Or Friends.Hold A Garage Sale.More items...•Oct 24, 2020

What should I donate to Toys for Tots?

What kind of toys can I donate?new.un-wrapped.preferably around the $10 or above price range.books are also needed (children receive 2 toys each and 3 books count as ONE gift!)homemade toys are also accepted.

How much does the CEO of Toys for Tots make per year?

Administrative Expenses According to Marine Toys for Tots Foundation's 2015 Form 990, their CEO, H.P. Osman, has a reported annual salary of $270,500.

What can you not donate to Toys for Tots?

Toys for Tots prefers not to accept realistic looking weapons and gifts with food. If donated, such items will NOT be distributed.

What charity stores accept toys?

Charity thrift stores such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army accept toys and then put them on the store floor for others to buy. Any proceeds they collect from the sale of the toys is put back into programs that benefit the needy right in your own community.

What charities use old toys?

Another deserving type of charity that could use old toys are those that offer children a familiar object in times of emergency. Both Loving Hugs and Stuffed Animals for Emergencies give stuffed toys to kids in crisis situations, whether it’s a natural disaster or while taking an ambulance ride.

How to claim toy donations on taxes?

Then, you must specifically donate to a tax-exempt organization. If you’re not sure if a facility can claim exempt organization status, check the IRS EO Select Check tool. Then, ask the organization for a donation receipt when you drop off the toys – you’ll need it for your tax records.

Can you donate used toys to hospitals?

Don’t Attempt to Give Used Toys to Hospitals. While they may be able to use a few books and clean items in a waiting room, there are strict hygiene guidelines that must be adhered to when it comes to having toys in patients’ rooms. If you want to donate toys, new items – with tags – are best. Don’t Wrap Toys.

Do shelters accept toys?

If you know of a shelter or children’s charity in your area, there’s a good chance that it accepts toy donations. After all, kids will be kids, and children who visit shelters can feel more at ease when there are toys nearby. You just need to call ahead, as some charities won’t accept toy donations.

Can you give away items on Freecycle?

You can use a site such as Freecycle to post items that you’d like to give away. Just be wary of posting personal details, and never share your address. Instead, meet people in public places, such as the parking lot of a supermarket, to hand off the items.

Can you deduct toys from a church?

Churches are tax-exempt organizations, so you can claim a deduction if you donate old toys to a church nursery. Many religious organizations offer daycares or nurseries to their parishioners, and since the service is often low-cost or free, they’re often in need of toys.

What charities accept gently used toys?

There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. For example, thrift-store organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will resell toys in their shops and use the profits to support their charitable work. You could also give to Toys for Tots, the United States Marine Corps Reserve-run program that gives donated toys to children in need. Toys for Tots hosts popular toy drives around the holidays, but they also accept gently used toys year-round. Cradles to Crayons is another organization that accepts new and nearly new toys to benefit low-income families.

Can hospitals accept toys?

Hospitals. Many hospitals will accept donated toys for their young patients to play with, or to keep children entertained in the waiting room; the same thing goes for doctor's offices. But keep in mind: If you want to donate toys to your local children's hospital, they must be new.

Do police officers carry stuffed animals?

Police officers and firefighters often carry stuffed animals and other small toys with them to comfort children at the scenes of traumatic events, and their supply of toys sometimes depends on donations. Reach out to your local police and fire departments to see if they're accepting donations right now.

Can daycares go through toys?

If you've ever been to a day-care center, you know that they go through toys quickly. That's why if you have a ton of lightly used toys to donate, you might contact a center in your area to see if they're able to give your items a second life.

Can you throw old toys in the trash?

While you might consider simply throwing those old toys in the trash, there are plenty of kids who would love to receive them. And at the very least, you can help them avoid the landfill. Here are all the places you can donate gently used toys, including electronics, stuffed animals, dolls and other items.

What does the organization give to women who have escaped human trafficking?

The organization gives all donated bras to women who have escaped human trafficking; the women then have the opportunity to sell the bras in second-hand markets in their communities and earn an income that can support themselves and their families.

What is the Salvation Army?

The Salvation Army is an international charity organization that provides assistance to nearly 23 million Americans each year, with services that include everything from operating homeless shelters and conducting disaster relief to providing support for veterans, the elderly and the LGBTQ+ community. Clothing donations go toward stocking the charity's network of thrift stores, with all proceeds helping fund The Salvation Army's adult rehabilitation centers.

What is Planet Aid?

Planet Aid. Many charities only accept clothing that's in good and wearable condition — but Planet Aid is different. The organization makes it easy to donate and recycle all of your unwanted clothes, with the mission of saving all textiles from the landfill to help protect the environment.

What is the Red Cross?

One of the oldest and most well-respected humanitarian organizations in the country , the American Red Cross provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and disaster preparedness education for millions of people around the world. The non-profit currently has a partnership with GreenDrop, an organization that will take donated clothes and re-sell them to thrift stores to benefit the American Red Cross.

What is one warm coat?

Donate your spare jackets to One Warm Coat, a non-profit that provides free coats to people in need. Working towards its mission of raising awareness of the vital need for warm coats across the country, the organization has hosted more than 38,000 coat drives and has provided 6.6 million free coats since 1992.

What is the VVA?

The Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is an organization dedicated to promoting and serving the needs of Vietnam War veterans through legislative initiatives, education and outreach programs. The non-profit collects donations of clothing and household items, which they either give directly to homeless and low-income veterans or re-sell in their resale stores to generate funds for their various programs and initiatives.

Can you donate clothes to save the planet?

Fortunately, there are simple ways you can donate your clothes to save the planet, and at the same time, help those in need. Ahead, we've compiled a list of places to donate clothes. While some of these organizations collect clothes to give directly to people in need, others give back in different ways, such as reselling ...

What is a saver thrift store?

Savers is a thrift store that helps local nonprofit groups host clothing drives. The organization pays local charities that donate clothes to the organization and also pays nonprofits for dropping off items at a donation center. Savers accepts many items besides clothing, including books, DVDs, and small household items.

What is Goodwill known for?

Goodwill is another well-known organization that provides community outreach for low-income families and individuals. They're most known for their thrift stores throughout the U.S. Donate by finding a local donation center on the Goodwill website.

What is a saver?

Savers. Savers is a thrift store that helps local nonprofit groups host clothing drives. The organization pays local charities that donate clothes to the organization and also pays nonprofits for dropping off items at a donation center. Savers accepts many items besides clothing, including books, DVDs, and small household items.

What is the Salvation Army?

The Salvation Army is a charity organization that operates homeless shelters and provides support for the elderly, veterans, as well as the LGBTQ+ community. If you want to donate, you can find a drop-off location at one of its many thrift stores or schedule a pick-up by giving them a call. Earnings from clothing donations go toward helping fund The Salvation Army's adult rehabilitation centers.

What percentage of clothing ends up in landfills?

According to a 2020 Princeton University study, 57 percent of all discarded clothing ended up in the landfill. © Provided by Martha Stewart Living Damian Lugowski / Getty Images.

What is the arc?

The Arc is a community-based organization advocating for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and serving them and their families. While the organization accepts many different forms of assistance—including monetary donations, donating your time, and much more—you can give your clothes to the Arc by finding a local chapter using the locator tool on its website or by calling and scheduling a pick-up.

What is the Red Cross?

The organization has partnered with GreenDrop, where you can donate all kinds of gently used clothing by going to a drop-off center or scheduling an at-home pickup. Proceeds from clothing sales benefit the American Red Cross' relief programs .

Where can I donate clothes?

Donate Your Clothes to a Local Charity Organization. Sometimes you want to give back directly to your community and drop your items off in your local town or city. Here are five of the top places that usually accept clothing donations: 1. Local Places of Worship.

What is thredup thrift store?

ThredUP is an online thrift store where you can buy and sell secondhand clothes. About 78 million items have been upcycled on thredUP since 2012. While you can sell clothes online for cash, they also provide a donation kit where instead of giving you money, they will donate $5 to a charity of your choice.

What do schools do during the holiday season?

Most schools hold food and clothing drives, especially during the holiday season. Usually the schools will then donate the items to local charities and shelters. Donating to a school means you are helping to teach school children — many of whom are involved in organizing the clothing drives — about the importance of giving and charity. You can contact your local school district for donation dates, needs and instructions on how to participate.

What is room to grow?

Room to Grow, a charity offering clothing, coaching and community building to low-income families, is a wonderful place to donate gently-used baby clothes and gear.

What is Dress for Success?

Founded in 1997, Dress for Success is an international nonprofit that empowers low-income women by providing them with professional clothing as they seek and maintain employment. So far their team has donated clothes and accessories to over one million women — and counting.

What is Project G.L.A.M?

Project G.L.A.M. is a New York City-based charity that provides underprivileged girls with everything they need for their proms, including clothing and accessories. Founded in 2007, Project G.L.A.M. has donated to over 7,000 young women across New York City.

What are community outreach centers?

Community outreach centers include places like Planned Parenthood, the YMCA, nursing homes, volunteer fire departments and domestic violence abuse shelters. The nice thing about donating to one of these places is that you know your donation will directly impact someone in your local community.

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Toy Donation Options

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1. Resell Charities Charity thrift stores such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army accept toys and then put them on the store floor for others to buy. Any proceeds they collect from the sale of the toys is put back into programs that benefit the needy right in your own community. However, you should call your local store prio…
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Specific Charities

  • While local charities may or may not need toys, national charities generally always accept donations. Here are several specific national charities that are looking for goods, such as toys and games. 6. Toys for Tots While you may associate Toys for Tots with a call for new, unwrapped toys, the Marine-facilitated charity also takes used toys in great shape. If you have a box to dona…
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What to Avoid

  • While most charities are thrilled to receive toy donations, there are several things that you must avoid: 1. Don’t Give Broken or Soiled Toys. Most facilities don’t have the ability to clean and repair items, so they may simply be tossed in the garbage if they can’t be put back together quickly. 2. Don’t Give Items With Pieces Missing.It’s unlikely that a charity has the ability to locate a replace…
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Toys and Taxes

  • You can often claim toy donations as a deduction on your taxes, but you have to do a few things first. To start, catalog all of the items you’re donating by type and what shape they are in. Then, you must specifically donate to a tax-exempt organization. If you’re not sure if a facility can claim exempt organization status, check the IRS EO Select Check tool. Then, ask the organization for …
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Final Word

  • If none of these option work for you, visit DonationTown.org, a website designed to facilitate free donation pickups for charities in your area. By going to the website, you can schedule a pickup and delivery to a charity of your choice simply by inputting your ZIP code. Wanting to donate old toys is definitely commendable, and there are literally hundreds of deserving charities that coul…
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Charities

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There are so many charities that will accept gently used toys and distribute them throughout their networks. For example, thrift-store organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will resell toys in their shops and use the profits to support their charitable work. You could also give to Toys for Tots, the United States Marine Co…
See more on goodhousekeeping.com

Buy Nothing Groups

  • Especially amid the coronavirus pandemic, it can be difficult to find charities and organizations that will accept donations of gently used toys — but that doesn't mean your kid's old things are destined for the dump. If you can't find any places to donate toys, try posting the items on your local Buy Nothing Facebook group. You could also list the toys on Freecycle or Craigslist. Make …
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Hospitals

  • Many hospitals will accept donated toys for their young patients to play with, or to keep children entertained in the waiting room; the same thing goes for doctor's offices. But keep in mind: If you want to donate toys to your local children's hospital, they must be new. Most hospitals have strict hygiene policies, so you'll need to purchase the toy specifically for the purpose of donating (cont…
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Children's Homes and Shelters

  • Your toys will definitely get played with if you donate them to a local children's or women's shelter. Get in touch with the director of the children's home nearest to you to see where and how your donations can be most useful. Your local social services office might also be able to direct you to children in the foster care system and other children in need who would greatly appreciate gentl…
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Daycare Centers

  • If you've ever been to a day-care center, you know that they go through toys quickly. That's why if you have a ton of lightly used toys to donate, you might contact a center in your area to see if they're able to give your items a second life.
See more on goodhousekeeping.com

Police and Fire Departments

  • Police officers and firefighters often carry stuffed animals and other small toys with them to comfort children at the scenes of traumatic events, and their supply of toys sometimes depends on donations. Reach out to your local police and fire departments to see if they're accepting donations right now. For an easy way to donate toys to this cause, give your items to Stuffed Ani…
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Churches

  • The leader of your local church may know of families within the church who could use a few new toys. Otherwise, the church itself may want the toys to keep children occupied during Sunday school, services or other local events. Contact the church's children's ministry coordinator for more information.
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Recycling Programs

  • If the toys you're looking to get rid of are soiled, torn or otherwise not in great shape, recycling them may be the best bet. You can get in contact with your local recycling service and see if they take toys (because they don't always!), or check out TerraCycle. TerraCycle has a partnership with Hasbro specifically for recycling old toys — it's free and easy! You mail in your toys, and they bre…
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