Stories

Get Your Marie Kondo On: Where to take items you would like to repurpose for GOOD!

 

With the recent success of Marie Kondo’s hit Netflix series Tidying Up and her “if it doesn’t bring you joy, get rid of it” mentality going viral, it is a perfect time to get inspired to do some organizing out of your own and start Spring cleaning early. But wait- haven’t you heard- one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

Don’t throw away those items that could still be of GOOD use to others- donate them to one of the organizations below!

Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont
What You Can Donate: Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and most household items.

How to Donate: Use this store locator at the top of Goodwill’s website to find a donation site! Some Goodwill locations offer a pick up service so call your local store for more details.

Community Impact: When you give to Goodwill, you are putting people to work!  Your donations support their mission of helping people find employment. Last year, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont provided services to 12,663 clients and placed 3,389 people in jobs.

The Salvation Army
What You Can Donate: Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, household goods, furniture, appliance, and automobiles.

How to Donate: Drop items off your at a location near you or schedule a donation pick up.

Community Impact: The Salvation Army helps people overcome challenging circumstances so that they can live quality, productive lives by giving them practical tools and basic necessities. Your donations to Salvation Army Family Stores help fund rehabilitation programs that heal addictions, change lives, and restore families.

 

Habitat for Humanity ReStore
What You Can Donate: New and gently used appliance, furniture, building materials, household goods. Many locations also accept other items not listed, call your nearest location for more information. Donations from both individuals and companies are accepted.

How to Donate: Drop your items off at a location near you. Many locations offer free pickup for larger items.

Community Impact: Habitat ReStores are independently owned reuse stores operated by local Habitat for Humanity organizations that accept donations and sell home improvement items to the public at a fraction of the retail price. Proceeds are used to help build strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter in local communities and around the world — a good deal for you, your community and the environment!

 

GATE Pregnancy Resource Center
What You Can Donate: Gently used baby and infant clothes, diapers, and pack-n-play kits.

How to Donate: Use the contact us form at the bottom of this page to let GATE know what you would like to donate.

Community Impact: Your donations go to pregnant women and new moms in need.  Gate serves women who are expecting or have children up to the age of one old learn skills to prepare for motherhood.  

 

Crisis Assistance Ministry
What You Can Donate: New and gently used clothing for men, women and children, as well as household items such as blankets, kitchenware and personal care products (these items are not accepted). You can donate furniture and appliances at the Crisis Assistance Furniture Bank.

How to Donate: Donation location and hours can be found here. You can schedule a larger item pick up here.

Community Impact: Crisis Assistance Ministry provides help and hope for people in our community struggling with limited financial resources.  Your donations support their Free Store, where families in need can shop for household goods and clothing essentials free-of-charge.

 

Classroom Central
What You Can Donate: School supplies, arts & crafts supplies, K-12 reading books, STEM instructional items, and more! New supplies are preferred however gently used and in good shape also welcome.  Detailed list of what is accepted found here.

How to Donate: Donations can be made at the Classroom Central location on Wilkinson Blvd. (full address and instructions found here). Scheduled pick up information can be found here.

Community Impact: Classroom Central equips students in need to effectively learn by collecting and distributing free school supplies to their teachers.

 

Assistance League
What You Can Donate: Gently used furniture, clothing, books, toys, jewelry, household items, electronics, computers, shoes, sports equipment and baby items. Items not accepted can be found here.

How to Donate: Drop items by the store or schedule a pickup. Location and contact information found here.

Community Impact: These items support the Assistance League’s efforts to clothe, mentor, and educate children in low income Charlotte neighborhoods.

 

ZABS Place
What You Can Donate: Men’s and women’s consignment quality clothing and shoes, jewelry, purses, hats, luggage, home decor, housewares, seasonal items, books, CDs, DVDs, toys, games (with all the pieces), and electronics (that have all pieces and still work). Items not accepted can be found here.

How to Donate: Donations are taken on site, specific directions and times found here.

Community Impact:  ZABs Place helps Charlotte’s young adults with special needs transition from high school to the adult working world with dignity, and employ them at their retail locations!

 

E2D  
What You Can Donate: Decommissioned computer technology including personal laptops or technology from a business or organization.

How to Donate: Specific instructions and contact information can be found here.

Community Impact: E2D (“Eliminate the Digital Divide”) wants all students to have affordable access to essential at-home technology.  Donations to E2D are repurposed for these students in need.

 

Charlotte Rescue Mission
What You Can Donate: New and gently used men’s and women’s clothing that are in season. A full list of acceptable items can be found here.

How to Donate: Donations are taken on both campuses. Addresses and what is needed at each campus can be found here.

Community Impact: Charlotte Rescue Mission helps adults suffering with addiction recover and thrive.  Their residential services (Dove’s Nest for Women & Families, and Rebound for Men) provide food, clothing and shelter while residents receiving life-changing recovery services.

 

Now Get Organizing!
Once you have decided what items bring you joy (the things you will keep) and what items could bring others joy (the things you will donate), choose one of these awesome local organizations to bring joy to.

BONUS GOOD. Want the additional convenience of not having to leave your house to do good?  The Junkluggers of Charlotte is an eco-friendly junk removal service that takes your old possessions and provides them with a second chance at life. They strive to refurbish your belongings by donating them to local nonprofits instead of taking them to a landfill. If they are able to donate your items, they will even provide you with a tax-deductible receipt!