28 Best Places to Donate Your Used Stuff
Discover top charities and thrift stores where you can donate used items and support communities.
28 Best Places to Donate Your Used Stuff: Charities & Thrift Stores
Donating used items is a meaningful way to help others while decluttering your home. Instead of throwing away gently used goods, you can support charitable organizations that use your donations to fund important community programs. Whether you have clothing, furniture, electronics, or household items, numerous reputable organizations accept donations and make it convenient for you to give back.
Major National Thrift Store Chains
1. Goodwill
Goodwill is one of the most accessible and popular places to donate used goods across the United States. With over 3,200 thrift stores nationwide, Goodwill has made donating incredibly convenient for millions of Americans. The organization accepts a wide variety of items including clothing, furniture, books, household goods, and electronics. Your donations are sold in Goodwill’s brick-and-mortar stores and through their online auction site, shopgoodwill.com, with proceeds supporting job training and employment services for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
Goodwill also partners with Dell through the Dell Reconnect program to collect and recycle or refurbish electronics. If you have an old computer or electronic device, you can drop it off at participating Goodwill locations to ensure it receives proper handling and that valuable components are either reused or safely recycled.
2. The Salvation Army
Similar to Goodwill, the Salvation Army operates thousands of thrift stores across the country and accepts donations of clothing, furniture, books, and household items. The organization has been serving communities for over 150 years, using proceeds from donated goods to fund critical social services including disaster relief, homeless assistance, and youth programs.
3. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
While Habitat for Humanity has fewer locations than national chains with approximately 900 ReStores across the U.S., it specializes in items that may be harder to place elsewhere. If you have a ReStore nearby, it’s an excellent option for donating gently used home goods, building materials, and tools—items that many traditional thrift stores don’t accept.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores accept furniture, appliances, fixtures, and building supplies. You can drop off smaller items in person, and for larger loads, ReStores offer free pickup services. Simply contact your local store to schedule a pickup, and they’ll collect your donations at no cost. The proceeds from ReStore sales directly support Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building affordable housing for families in need.
Specialized Donation Services
Pickup Please
For those who prefer not to transport donations themselves, Pickup Please offers a convenient solution. This service handles the logistics of donation pickup, making the process effortless. Simply gather your donations, schedule a pickup online, and leave your labeled boxes outside your door. Within 24 hours, Pickup Please will collect your items and leave you with a tax-deductible receipt.
Pickup Please currently operates in: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. To schedule a pickup, visit their website and enter your zip code to check availability in your area.
AMVETS
AMVETS (American Veterans) accepts a comprehensive range of donated items and offers donation pickup services. The organization supports veterans and their families through various programs funded by donation proceeds.
AMVETS accepts the following items:
– Clothing and shoes- Jewelry- Appliances- Furniture- Housewares- Seasonal decorations- Books- Toys and games- Electronics- Bedding- Bicycles- Sports and exercise equipment
You can arrange a pickup by visiting the AMVETS donation pickup information page. The website allows scheduling in certain states, but if you’re located elsewhere, you can call 866-294-4488 to inquire about availability in your area.
Furniture and Large Item Donations
Furniture Bank Network
The Furniture Bank Network operates as a directory connecting donors with local furniture banks in their communities. These nonprofit organizations accept used furniture, housewares, and vehicles, redistributing them to families and individuals in need. The network’s member organizations understand that quality furniture helps people transition out of homelessness and establishes stable housing.
Networked furniture banks typically offer free pickup services. To find a participating bank near you, visit the locator page on their website and call to schedule a pickup. During pickup, drivers inspect furniture condition, and banks may refuse donations that don’t meet quality standards.
In addition to furniture donations, many furniture banks also provide free pickup and towing services for donated cars and recreational vehicles.
PickUpMyDonation
PickUpMyDonation specializes in large items that are difficult to transport. The service connects donors with local nonprofit thrift stores, giving you control over which organizations receive your donations.
PickUpMyDonation accepts:
– Large furniture pieces- Large appliances- Large rugs- Cars and trucks- Lawnmowers- All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and snowmobiles
To use PickUpMyDonation, visit their website and enter your zip code to submit a donation request listing the items you want to give away. The service then notifies local charities of your donation’s availability. If a charity expresses interest, you can select which organization receives your donation, and they’ll schedule the free pickup at your convenience.
Donation Town
Donation Town provides a comprehensive platform for matching donors with local charities that offer free pickup services. The service accepts a wide variety of items and helps donors navigate the donation process.
Donation Town accepts:
– Furniture- Clothing- Bedding- Appliances- Kitchenware- Home decor- Office supplies- Toys- Tools and hardware- Sports equipment- Electronics- Cars, trucks, RVs, trailers, and boats
Visit Donation Town’s website and enter your zip code to receive a list of local charities offering free pickup. Choose your preferred charity from the list and contact them directly to schedule a convenient pickup time.
Clothing and Shoe Donations
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross, one of the oldest and most respected charitable organizations in the United States, collects used clothing to fund its disaster relief efforts and humanitarian programs. The Red Cross accepts nearly any type of clothing in good condition, including:
– T-shirts, pants, and shirts- Blouses and jackets- Ties and shorts- Swimsuits and sweaters- Outerwear and shoes- Boots and pajamas- Handbags and formal wear- Underwear
The Red Cross partners with GreenDrop, a donation pickup service utilized by multiple charities, to collect clothing donations. You can find a drop-off location on GreenDrop’s website or schedule a home pickup by entering your name and address.
Soles4Souls
Soles4Souls specializes in shoe and clothing donations, accepting both new and gently worn items in all sizes and styles. The organization distributes footwear and apparel to people in need both domestically and internationally.
You can donate to Soles4Souls in two ways:
– Drop off shoes and clothing at a local drop-off location (find them using the donation page locator)- Ship up to 50 pounds of donations for free using a prepaid UPS shipping label from Zappos for Good
Note that not all Soles4Souls locations accept clothing, so call ahead before dropping off items. If you donate at a DSW store location, you’ll receive bonus points on your DSW membership card toward future purchases.
Planet Aid
Planet Aid accepts gently used clothing and processes donations through an international network. The organization sorts donated clothes, with the best items going to clothing drives and U.S. thrift stores. Remaining clothing is sold to customers in developing countries, where local workers sort, price, and resell items to low-income buyers. Planet Aid does not accept clothing with major damage, as it would ultimately end up as waste.
Electronics and Technology Donations
Goodwill Electronics Program
Goodwill accepts used electronics including computers, laptops, tablets, and other devices. Through its partnership with Dell’s Reconnect program, Goodwill ensures that electronics are either refurbished for reuse or recycled responsibly. You can drop off electronics at any of Goodwill’s 3,200+ locations nationwide. Visit the Dell Reconnect partnership site to confirm availability through your local Goodwill store.
Cellular Recycler
Cellular Recycler specializes in mobile phones and portable devices, providing a dedicated avenue for electronics recycling. For donations of three or more devices, you qualify for free FedEx shipping. You can mail your devices to:
Cellular Recycler
ATTN: NCADV
3131 N. 75th St.
Boulder, CO 80301
Once your donation is received, Cellular Recycler determines the device value and emails a receipt within six to eight weeks.
Children’s Items and Baby Products
Donating children’s clothing, toys, and baby gear helps families access affordable items for their growing children. Many organizations listed above accept children’s items, including Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Soles4Souls. Baby-specific items can often be donated to local daycares, preschools, or community centers.
Tax Deductions and Receipts
Most charitable organizations provide donation receipts that can be used for tax deduction purposes. Keep records of your donations, including dates, items, and quantities. Many organizations like Goodwill provide online valuation guides to help you estimate the fair market value of your donations for tax reporting. When using pickup services like Pickup Please or Donation Town, request and retain your tax-deductible receipt as proof of your charitable contribution.
How to Choose the Right Donation Option
Consider Your Items: Different organizations specialize in specific types of donations. If you have furniture, consider Habitat for Humanity ReStore or Furniture Bank Network. For clothing and shoes, try Soles4Souls or American Red Cross. For electronics, Goodwill’s Dell partnership is ideal.
Evaluate Convenience: If you have large items or lack transportation, services like PickUpMyDonation, Donation Town, and Pickup Please offer free pickup options. If you prefer to drop off items yourself, locate nearby Goodwill or Salvation Army stores for maximum accessibility.
Support Your Values: Choose organizations whose missions align with your values. If you care about housing security, Habitat for Humanity is excellent. For veterans’ support, choose AMVETS. For disaster relief, select American Red Cross.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What condition do items need to be in to be accepted?
A: Most organizations accept gently used items that are clean and functional. Items should not have major damage, stains, or broken parts. Check with specific organizations for their condition requirements.
Q: Can I get a tax receipt for my donations?
A: Yes, most reputable charities provide tax-deductible receipts. Retain these documents for your tax records. Some organizations provide online valuation guides to estimate donation value.
Q: Do all donation services offer free pickup?
A: Many services offer free pickup for large items or bulk donations, but policies vary. Check individual organization websites or call ahead to confirm pickup availability and any size or quantity limitations.
Q: Are there donation options if I don’t have transportation?
A: Yes. Services like PickUpMyDonation, Donation Town, Pickup Please, and partnerships with GreenDrop all offer free home pickup services in select areas. Check availability in your zip code on their websites.
Q: What happens to donations that organizations can’t sell?
A: Unsellable items are typically recycled or passed to salvage dealers to minimize landfill waste. Electronics are refurbished or safely recycled to recover valuable materials.
References
- 28 Best Places to Donate Your Used Stuff (Charities & Thrift Stores) — Money Crashers. Accessed 2025-11-29. https://www.moneycrashers.com/best-places-donate-used-stuff/
- Where to Donate Used or Old Clothes to Charity — Money Crashers. Accessed 2025-11-29. https://www.moneycrashers.com/where-donate-clothes-charity/
- Where to Donate Your Old Computers & Used Electronics to Charity — Money Crashers. Accessed 2025-11-29. https://www.moneycrashers.com/donate-old-computers-electronics-charity/
- 12 Best Places to Donate Used Furniture to Charity — Money Crashers. Accessed 2025-11-29. https://www.moneycrashers.com/where-donate-furniture-charity/
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