Where to donate clothing, toys, baby items and…everything!
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I had 2 readers write in asking if we could do a post on where to donate used kids’ and household items. It is the perfect time of year to clean out and declutter your kids’ toy boxes and book shelves. So, box up the old baby items, strollers, swings and even stuffed animals- and send them off to someone else who will see them as treasures. Thanks to local mom and professional organizer Amanda Wiss of Urban Clarity for creating this much “asked for” donation list.
Of the nine non-profits listed below, four will pick up for free, two pick up for a fee, seven accept drop-offs, and two accept stuffed animals! Don’t have a car? Book a car service and drop them off – reclaiming the space and having others use your items is well worth it!
Baby Buggy
306 West 37th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212.736.1777
Website: www.babybuggy.org
*New and gently used infant and toddler clothing (ages 0-4), bedding, some furniture, toys and gear. No cribs. See complete list on their website. Items can be dropped off at the office Monday – Friday between 9-5. Call the office to schedule an appointment. Brooklyn pick-up process: Call the office to schedule. Pickups are done by courier. It’s currently $46 for up to 3 large pieces – bags, boxes or furniture (up to 100 lbs). Each additional piece is $2.35 per item. The courier fee is included in the tax deduction you receive.
Goodwill
258 Livingston St. (at Bond in Boerum Hill)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718.923.9037
1100 Fulton Street (between Classon and Franklin in Clinton Hill)
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Phone: 718.789.0856
http://www.goodwillny.org/donation_guidelines.aspx
Goodwill benefits people with disabilities and they provide a list of acceptable donations on their website. The list includes clothing, shoes, books, media, house wares and clean and functional games and toys. Donations to Goodwill are tax-deductible and donors receive tax receipts upon request.
Housing Works
122 Montague Street (between Henry and Hicks in Brooklyn Heights)
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718.237.0521
http://www.housingworks.org/
Housing Works is working to end homelessness and AIDS through advocacy. Donations are accepted Mon-Sat: 11 AM-7 PM, Sun: 12 PM-5 PM. Housing Works offers free and convenient pick-up service for furniture donations; however, they are unable to accept baby furniture. Guidelines and requirements for furniture donations are available on their website. Call 1-888-HW-Donate to schedule a pickup.
Legal Aid Society
111 Livingston Street (between Boerum Place and Court Street in Downtown Brooklyn)
8th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-250-4531
You can donate baby items, baby clothes and maternity clothes on Tuesdays from 10-12. Contact Emily Kimball at 718-250-4531
Red Hook Community Center
603-B 595 Clinton ave.Clinton Street (between Centre and Garnet in Red Hook)
Brooklyn, NY 11231
Phone: 718.852.5748
They mostly need food and clothes, but happily accept almost anything useful for young families, including stuffed animals. They’re open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so next time you’re heading to Ikea or Fairway, bring some items to drop off. They’re always incredibly grateful!
Room to Grow
54 West 21st Street #401
New York, NY 10010
Phone: 212.620.7800
Fax: 212.620.3021
Website: www.roomtogrow.org
*infant and toddler clothing (up to size 4T) books, toys, equipment, and other items in truly excellent condition. No stuffed animals, cribs, furniture, or car seats. To receive a tax deduction, you must fill out the tax receipt form located on their web site. Donations can be made at the office Monday – Friday between 9:30-5. Call the office to schedule an appointment. Brooklyn pick up process: Call the office to schedule a pick-up, which can usually be done same day. It’s through a messenger service, and there is a tax-deductible fee depending on the amount to pick up. They also take donations of clothing and books at Petit Bateau located at 1094 Madison Ave. (at 86th St.) (212.988.8884). Customers who drop off items for Room to Grow receive 10% off their purchase.
Salvation Army
436 Atlantic Avenue (between Nevins and Bond in Boerum Hill)
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Phone: 718.834.1562
22 Quincy Street (between Classon and Downing in Bed Stuy)
NY 11238-1918
Phone: 718.622.5686
http://www.use.salvationarmy.org/gnyd
Donations help support the Salvation Army’s community-outreach programs and services. Donations can be made at their thrift stores. If you are making a donation of furniture, household items or a substantial amount of clothing, you can call 718.622.4705 to schedule a pick-up. Appointments are usually scheduled within 7-14 days.
St. John’s Place Family Center<
1630 St. John’s Place (between Ralph and Buffalo)
Brooklyn, NY 11233
Phone: 718.771.7720
Accepts children’s items including new stuffed animals and clean clothes in good condition. Also takes adult clothing, canned goods and books. No furniture. Brooklyn pick up process: Call to speak to the driver to arrange for a pick up between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. There is no charge for the pick-up.
Vietnam Veterans of America
http://www.vva.org/
The Vietnam Veterans of America serves the needs of veterans of the Vietnam War era. The list of acceptable donations is available on the website and includes children’s clothing and baby items, but not furniture. Call 1-800-459-VETS (8387) to schedule a free pickup.
Have a question about how to donate something? Post a comment and we’ll respond.
Have another favorite place to donate? Please post in the comments!
Amanda Wiss of Urban Clarity
Still feel overwhelmed? If you’re sick of tripping over toys and don’t know where to dig in, you could likely benefit from some Urban Clarity (www.urbanclarity.net). Call in the professionals – we’ll help you declutter and handle the donations for you too.
Hi Linza,
That’s such a great idea.
I googled and found a list of food pantries in Westchester- not knowing which town you are in- I just wanted to give you the search results:
http://www.google.com/search?q=food+pantry+in+westchester+ny&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
I’m looking for a place to donate baby food if anyone knows about places in Westchester County, NY area like that please let me know
Hello, I’m the Director of The Teddy Bear Brigade. The Teddy Bear Brigade collects new and gently loved stuffed animals and distributes them to children around the world. The gift of a stuffed animal can bring comfort and security to a child that has been affected by war, poverty, abandonment and natural disaster.
You can learn more at http://www.TeddyBearBrigade.com. We would greatly appreciate your donation of stuffed animals.
Blessings,
Chris
Maureen, thanks so much for the new donation location. Sounds like a very worthy place- thanks.
Life Center of New York INC
6802 5th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11220
(718) 748-4992
The women here are very poor and many have more than one child. Live locally and are just trying to provide the best for thie families.
Waste Management of Los Angeles is teaming up with the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) for the ‘Bag your Shoes’ campaign happening now! The goal is to collect 1,000 pairs of shoes! Come down and “recycle” your shoes, see you at the game! http://youtu.be/jk1mH9JvRr0
That’s a great one Isabelle- thanks!
I am adding this one:
Recycle a Bike
DUMBO (Brooklyn) 35 Pearl Street (at Plymouth Street), Brooklyn, NY 11201 718-858-2972 Hours: Mon-Sat, Noon to 7PM (Not open on Sunday) Directions: By subway: Take either the A,C or F train.
Hi Cynthia,
What a bummer! What a shelp. Let me know if you visit any of the others in the future so we can keep this list up to date.
Went to the Goodwill on Livingston and they do not accept toys. I went in with two large bags. I shuffled things around and left a lot of books, but took all the toys back. Very disappointing.
I’m having such a hard time having organizations pick up boxes of clothing. Some give a week pick up. Some won’t do it. Some want only2 bags. Is there an organization willing to pick up a logic boxes. Great clothing
Hello! A single mother with two girls will ask if you can help us with Clothes. youngest daughter is 5 years and the big 16years .I have no husband and I left without service.
In Romania is a very difficult situation of government.
I want the Lord to bless all the people on the whole earth.Who wants to help us with clothes and food I give you email address:[email protected] My girls are all my best and beautiful in my life just like you.
we are a family from Romania with four children,hardly get around.If someone could help us with clothes for them.thank you
Thanks for the feedback Chris. A parent wrote in today (Dec. 20th) to say the Center was closed for some reason (holiday?) but went to Goodwill to drop off and they even took her stuffed animals.
I just took a bunch of stuff to the Red Hook Community Center today after seeing it listed here. They were definitely very grateful and the drop off was really easy. I parked right outside the front door.
Check out http://www.DeliverGood.org. Charities can set-up and manage a real-time, dynamic wish list that is searchable by the entire country. Just rolling out in the U.S.
I love Housing Works but their inclusion here is a bit misleading. They don’t accept children’s clothing, furniture or toys. Only adult items. (They will accept children’s books, however.)
This is truly the MOST helpful list I have ever seen!
Baby Buggy is amazing and I truly support and admire them.
Best
Julia