Whether you are just starting on the path to getting organized, or you already have everything in its place, we all need to go through our things routinely and edit. During this process of evaluating what we can let go of, it always helps to keep in mind who could make better use of the stuff we have sitting in our closets unused.
Maybe you already have a pile or bin of items set aside "to donate." We've all been there - we've done the work, sorted through our things, and identified what we're ready to pass on to someone else who can use it. But the next step is deciding on the best place to take it, and get it there. Or even better, having a truck come and pick up your donations right from your street!
To make things a little easier, included below is a list of local organizations that accept donations of household items, a brief summary of their wish lists, and a direct link to their websites. These organizations are mainly located in the Baltimore/DC corridor of Maryland - Anne Arundel County, Howard County, and Baltimore County, but several of them provide their services nationwide.
Please visit each organization’s website directly for more details & to verify information, as it is subject to change.
Also, if you know of a great place to donate common household goods that isn't listed, please feel free to email me the info and I will update this page.
Donation Pick-Up
Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake
Furniture, appliances, cabinets, building materials, housewares, hardware, lighting, electrical, plumbing, sporting goods, doors, windows, flooring, tools
https://www.habitatchesapeake.org/restore-donation/
Hope For All
Clothing, furniture, household items, hygiene & cleaning products
https://www.hopeforall.us/help
Lupus Foundation of America
Clothing, shoes, bedding, curtains, housewares, jewelry, toys, small appliances, tools,
https://www.lupus.org/ways-to-give/donate-household-goods
Purple Heart/Green Drop
Clothing, shoes, blankets and bedding, tools, collectibles, kitchenware, toys, small appliances, electronics, musical instruments and sporting goods.
https://www.gogreendrop.com/what-we-accept
Salvation Army
Clothing, furniture, household goods, appliances
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)/Pick Up Please
Clothing, accessories, shoes, baby items, house and glassware, books, toys, bikes, stereos, radios, portable TVs, bedding, draperies, curtains, kitchenware, small furniture & rugs, small appliances, tools, jewelry and cosmetics
Donation Drop-Off
A Wider Circle
Furniture, household goods, kitchen items, baby care items, televisions, fans, towels & bedding, non-perishable foods, personal care items, cleaning supplies
http://awidercircle.org/get-involved/
Anne Arundel County Animal Control
Cat & dog food, toys, bedding, blankets, towels, shower curtains
https://www.aacounty.org/departments/animal-control/donations/index.html
Anne Arundel County Humane Society
Pet food, cat litter, towels, blankets, grooming tools, cleaning products, toys & treats, office supplies
BARCS (Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Center)
Cat & dog toys, blankets, towels, sheets, veterinary care items, plastic pet crates, food & treats, cleaning supplies, office supplies
https://barcs.org/donate/#our-wish-list
Be More Caring
Tents, sleeping Bags, blankets, pillows, non-perishable food, clothing & shoes, winter items (coats, hats, scarves, gloves, hand & feet warmers, toiletries, flashlights, batteries
Boys & Girls clubs
Games, electronics, arts & crafts supplies, office supplies
https://www.bgcaa.org/wish-list
Brick Recycler
Bulk legos
https://www.brickrecycler.com/
House of Ruth
School supplies, new/unused toys, craft supplies, office supplies, household & cleaning items, paper products
Howard County Animal Control and Adoption Center
Pet supplies, cleaning supplies, grooming supplies, towels, fleece blankets, hair dryers
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Police/Animal-Control
Maryland Food Bank
Canned foods, non-perishables, cereals, pasta, rice
Partners in Care
Clothing & shoes, accessories (purses, wallets, ties, backpacks), jewelry, linens, toys, games, puzzles, books, DVDs, kitchenware (pots, pans, utensils, china, vases), small electrics (stereos, appliances, irons, mixers), artwork, sporting goods & exercise equipment, crafts, baskets
https://www.partnersincare.org/boutique/
Sarah’s House
Kitchen & food items such as paper products, household items including twin & full size sheets (can be used), school supplies, diapers & wipes, hygiene & hair products
https://www.catholiccharities-md.org/services/sarahs-house/wish-list/
Scrap Bmore
Artist supplies (paint, carving tools, stencils, clay), carpet samples, tiles, collage & scrapbooking, containers (jewelry boxes, cigar boxes), craft supplies, fabric & notions, gift wrap & party supplies, offices supplies
https://scrapb-more.org/donate/items-we-accept/
Second Chance
Building materials, kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, tubs, sinks, accessories, household goods, garden elements, collections, lighting or unique architectural items
https://www.secondchanceinc.org/donate-material/
Success in Style
Men & womens professional clothing, suits, shoes, accessories (cuff links, ties, wallets, briefcases, computer bags, scarves, jewelry, handbags)
http://www.successinstyle.org/clothing-donations/
Suited To Succeed
Professional clothing, jackets/blazers, skirts, dress pants, blouses, jewelry, shoes, new pantyhose, purses, scarves & belts
http://suitedtosucceed.org/ways-to-help/
Traveling Tutus
Dance costumes & attire
https://www.travelingtutus.org/
Sales & Auctions
Blind Industries
Pickup & auction of collectibles, valuables, vintage & antique items
Contact Liz or Rob for more information @ 410-737-2600
Clothes Mentor
Resale store for better brand name, gently-used women’s clothing and accessories
https://www.clothesmentor.com/columbia-md/
Game Stop
Video games, video game consoles & accessories, cell phones & tablets.
Lynn Katzen Ebay seller
Jewelry, collectibles/figurines, designer pens/pencils, anything old!, collections, sterling silver, coins, apple products, designer bags, shoes & accessories
Music Go Round
Musical instruments & accessories
https://www.musicgoround.com/home/sell-us-your-gear
Once Upon A Child
Resale store for gently used baby & children's clothing, toys, gear, and furniture
https://www.onceuponachildellicottcity.com/
https://www.onceuponachildgambrills.com/
https://www.onceuponachildglenburnie.com/
Peenstra Appraisals
Fine art, antique, & jewelry appraisals, and resources on the best place to sell the items
http://www.peenstraappraisals.com/
Steve Dance auctions
Tools, auto parts, antiques, estates
Recycling & collection
Anne Arundel County Curbside Collections
https://www.aacounty.org/departments/public-works/waste-management/Materials_Accepted
Anne Arundel County Bulk Pickup
Baltimore County Curbside Collections
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/solid_waste/collectionconnection.html
Baltimore County Drop Off Locations
https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/publicworks/solid_waste/trashandrecyclingfacilities.html
Howard County Curbside Collections
Howard County bulk pickup
Best Buy
Electronics recycling
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/services/recycling/pcmcat149900050025.c?id=pcmcat149900050025
Other resources & ideas
Donation Town directory
MDrecycles.org
Schools & teachers
Reach out to a local school or PTA to see if they could use your extra items. Ideas include: educational items, flash cards, play-doh, toys that could be used as math manipulatives/center activities
Wire hangers
Many dry cleaners will re-use your wire hangers, just bring them back to the location for reuse.
Plastic bags
Most grocery stores have a recycling bin at the front of the store for plastic shopping bags. They’ll take bags from any stores as well. Curbside recycling won’t take plastic shopping bags, if you need to dispose of them in your curbside collection, they’ll need to go in the trash bin.