This month, as we enter into the beauty of springtime, we’re focusing on simplifying. We’re working on doing this in all aspects of our lives (which you can read about here), but one of the most tangible ways we do this is through the yearly ritual of spring cleaning.
This simplification process is no easy task. It’s full of hard truths and letting go. Because sister, no matter how much you loved those shoes 6 years ago, if they haven’t seen the light of day in 4, it’s time to let them go. Same goes for the toys your kids haven’t touched in years, the books you bought but never read, and the one-worn prom dress hanging in your daughter’s closet.
So when nostalgia threatens to take over, maybe knowing that your unused stuff is meeting a specific need for someone else will help.
We all know that you can pile up your stuff and bring it to your local secondhand store, but we want to draw attention to some lesser-known charities that can benefit from your donations. This is a great way for us to be intentional with the resources we’ve been given, even after they’ve run their course in our lives. The list below will spur some ideas of places you can bring your gently used, no-longer-needed items to bless someone else in your community.
Clothes
Professional clothes: If you have clothes that could be used for interviews or job searching but are currently collecting dust in your closet, try donating them to a local organization that helps women overcome poverty and other obstacles to find jobs. Ask at your local homeless shelter, World Relief, or Teen Challenge to see if they accept donations of professional clothing.
Maternity and kid clothes: By donating maternity and kid clothing to an organization like Hope Clinic for Women, you can provide support to young, single moms in your area. Organizations like Hope Clinic provide support to women facing unplanned pregnancies, and donating maternity and children’s clothing is a great way to support a woman’s decision to keep her child.
Prom dresses: Most formal dresses are only worn once, so why not bless someone in need by donating it to a local church or other charity that has a prom dress ministry? These ministries accept gently used formal wear so girls who can’t afford a brand new dress can still go to prom (and look fabulous while doing it).
Stuffed Animals
Check with your local fire department to see if they accept stuffed animal donations. Yes, we said fire department, and yes, we said stuffed animals! Some firefighters bring stuffed animals with them in their trucks in the event that there is a child at the scene when they arrive. What a sweet way to pass along the comfort and love that stuffed animal once brought your child.
Toys
Hospitals often have play rooms in their children’s department and are in need of donations. No matter what kids are going through medically, these rooms are a way for them to just be a kid for a little while, and the more fun toy and game options they have, the better!
Books
After school and tutoring programs are always on the lookout for books of all reading levels. Tutors love to practice reading skills with their kiddos, and new (to them) books are a great way to keep kids motivated to read more. Try your local Boys and Girls Club or find a church in your area that offers a tutoring ministry.
Home Goods
Find your local World Relief or other organization that works to provide housing for refugees resettling in your area. Organizations like World Relief work to set up homes for refugees prior to their arrival. These organizations are always in need of quality home items—from sofas to wall art to silverware—that will make a new place feel a little more like home for resettling families.
What about you? Do you know of other organizations that accept donations to give new purpose to your resources? We’d love to hear about them, so let us know in the comments!
