DOS & DON’TS OF DONATING

What to do with good stuff you no longer want or need

It’s a good problem to have: too much stuff. Decluttering not only clears your space but also offers an opportunity to give back to the community. By rehoming items that no longer suit your life, you extend a helping hand, fostering a sense of community and sustainability. This guide will walk you through the best practices for donating your items to charity thrift shops and relief organizations, ensuring your contributions positively impact your community. 

Criteria for donating items
Before donating, keep these criteria in mind to ensure your items are accepted: 

Photos: James River Media

• Clean: Items should be free of dirt, stains and odors. 
• Functional: Appliances and electronics must work properly and include all necessary parts. 
• Whole: Items should not be broken, damaged or missing significant pieces. 
• In style: Thrift shops often prefer current styles (less than two years old), especially for clothing. 
• In season: Donate items appropriate for the season to help shops manage their inventory effectively. 

Quick tip: If you’re donating any breakable items, be sure to label the box as fragile. Use bubble wrap and paper to keep items safe and to protect those who will be sorting donations. 

Items generally not accepted
Many thrift shops do not accept certain items, including: 

• Open/used personal care items: Cosmetics and fragrances are typically rejected for health reasons.
• Outdated electronics: Non-functioning or obsolete items should be recycled instead. 
• Often-recalled items: Most donation centers do not accept children’s cribs, strollers, car seats and other infant furniture. 
• Furniture with structural issues: Broken or unsafe furniture is often not accepted. 
• Hazardous materials: Items like paint or sharp objects are typically refused. 
• Kerosene and gas heaters 
• Mattresses and bed pillows: Hygiene concerns usually prevent their acceptance. 
• Large appliances: Some shops cannot accommodate large items; call ahead to check. 
• Lawn equipment
• Guns and weapons

Impact of charity thrift stores
Charity thrift stores support a variety of causes, including: 

• Job training and employment: Organizations like Goodwill offer job training and placement services.
• Homelessness and housing: The Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity help fund housing support programs.
• Health and wellness: Some stores support medical research and community health initiatives.
• Youth and education: Many charities fund educational programs for at-risk youth.
• Animal welfare: Thrift stores run by animal shelters raise funds for animal care.
• Disaster relief: Some stores contribute to emergency relief efforts.

These charities rely on donations and profits from their thrift stores to sustain essential services, making your donations a meaningful way to support community initiatives.

Shopping at thrift shops and nonprofits has become an increasingly popular way to promote sustainability. Click here to see our article on budget-friendly design sourcing. Recycling gently used home goods, clothing and shoes cuts down on waste in landfills and gives these materials a second life. And bonus — you can save a little money for higher quality new purchases.

Where to donate
Here are some options for donating your items: 

• Goodwill and Salvation Army: Accept in-season clothing, household goods and furniture in good condition. 
• Habitat for Humanity Re-Store: Welcomes home improvement materials and working appliances. 
• Local shelters: Accept clothing, unopened hygiene products and bedding. 
• Charity thrift shops: Prefer in-season items to help manage inventory. 
• Libraries, community centers and schools: Call ahead to see if they accept donations. 
• Online platforms: Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace and others allow you to give items away locally.
• Curb donations: Leave items on the curb with a “FREE” sign. 

Before leaving any items, double-check them to ensure you haven’t left behind valuables like jewelry or important documents. 

We live in a generous-minded, supportive community with many avenues to provide gently-loved goods to those in need. Here is a list of popular charity thrift shops in the Lynchburg area: 

• Agape Center Lynchburg: Accepts clothing, hygiene items, housewares, food and furniture (3026 Carroll Avenue) 
• Blue Ridge Area Food Bank: Donations of food and kitchen supplies (501B 12th Street) 
• Daily Bread’s Little Free Pantry: For small food donations (721 Clay Street) 
• Dave’s Squeaky Wheel: Donate old bikes for their bike ministry (1310 Church Street) 
• Goodwill Store & Donation Center: Multiple locations; search online for the closest center. 
• Habitat Re-Store: Accepts a wide range of home improvement items (360 Alleghany Avenue) 
• Mission Thrift: Supports other area nonprofits (2303 Bedford Avenue and 18366 Forest Road) 
• Parkview Community Mission’s Clothing Connection: Offers clothes free of charge (2323 Memorial Avenue, Suite 28) 

In summary, rehoming your gently used items not only helps declutter your home but also plays a vital role in supporting community organizations and charitable causes. By donating clean, functional and seasonally appropriate items, you ensure that your contributions make a meaningful difference to those in need. Embrace the opportunity to give back, knowing that your thoughtful donations can positively impact lives within your community. ✦