Declutter Your Home and Donate to Help Others
Donations
So you've done the Trash Bag Tango and decided what stays—and what goes. Not sure where to donate or sell your unwanted stuff? Here are a few ideas from Peter Walsh.
Clothing and Accessories- Dress for Success helps disadvantaged women get back on their feet by providing professional attire, career development assistance and a network of support. Learn more at DressforSuccess.org.
- The Cinderella Project helps girls who can't afford a dress for prom have a magical night. There are chapters of this organization all over the country. Check your area to see if there's one near you!
- Have old prescription glasses or regular sunglasses laying around? Drop them off at any Sunglass Hut or visit GivetheGiftofSight.org for more information.
- Goodwill (www.goodwill.org) and The Salvation Army (www.salvationarmy.com) still offer to pick up from your home. If you're willing to deliver the goods yourself local churches, synagogues, homeless shelters, schools, senior centers and theater companies (think props!) may want your old artwork, books, CDs, videos, computers, furniture, rugs and kitchenware.
- The National Furniture Bank Association (www.thenfba.org) routes your donated furniture, and sometimes kitchenware, to the Partnership for the Homeless and other nonprofits that help people set up households. Donors pay for removal.
- The Donation Center at GEAppliances.com lists national charities willing to cart away old model appliances, free of charge, as long as they're in working order.
Computers and Books
Odds & Ends
Visit NetworkforGood.org to find the best fit for you. Simply enter the type of item you have and your area, and you'll get a list of local organizations to research.
- The World Computer Exchange,Computers 4 Kids,Computers for Schools, and The National Cristina Foundation will take your old hardware, refurbish it, and distribute it to economically disadvantaged youths in the United States and around the world.
- The Global Literacy Project INC.,Darien Book Aid, and the International Book Project (https://www.intlbookproject.org) send books to libraries, schools, prisons, hospitals and communities to promote literacy. Check each website for guidelines. Donors pay for shipping.
Odds & Ends
- Try giving them away for free.Freecycle.org has over 4,000 local groups. Members post items they want to give away, and you can reply if you see something you want. Alternatives to Freecycle.org includeFreeSharing.org,SharingIsGiving.org and FreeUse.org.
Visit NetworkforGood.org to find the best fit for you. Simply enter the type of item you have and your area, and you'll get a list of local organizations to research.
As the saying goes, one man's trash is another man's treasure. Have some items you think could sell? Here are some ideas on where to get started.
- Get the bidding going on eBay.com! You never know what might sell—and for how much.
- Garage sales don't only have to happen in the dog days of summer. Get creative and have one anytime, anywhere! Find out how.
- Vintage is in—so sell to your local consignment shop! There are some consignment chains popping up around the country, as well as your favorite local shop.
- If all else fails, try the classifieds. Call your local paper for rates or post for free on CraigsList.com
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