Precision Donations to Clean Out Your Closet
Give locally to make a difference in your hometown
Reading time: About 6 minutes.
You there, with the big heart and overcrowded closet. I see you. You want to do something good for people and the planet, and you’ve got this closetful of stuff just sitting there. But you’ve heard me say, or maybe you heard it somewhere else, that donating is the scourge of the earth. So, now what?
There are still ways to clean out your closet with a heart towards helping others. You can even donate things. It’s just that more thought needs to go into it than bagging it in a trash bag and lugging it to a big warehouse donation center.
Precision Donation
I like to call this kind of thoughtful donation “precision donation” because you’re honing in on your community. You become aware of organizations that provide essential services and goods to people right there in your zip code. Some organizations provide coats, gloves, and hats for those who live outside during the winter. Some give clothing to women in shelters who had to cut and run to survive. Others provide fresh options for people out of jail who need something fitting to get a job. If there is a need, there are people working to fill that need. And that’s where your closet can help.
First, Quality Control
Precision donation gives you the opportunity to give from your heart, not just because you need to clean out your closet. This makes you the first line of quality control. As you consider each item you want to donate, choose only what you would be willing to give someone you love. That means no used underwear or clothing with holes and stains. Your donations are meant to provide their new owners with a sense of dignity and confidence. They help people get and keep jobs. They keep people warm. They allow them to feel human in a world where those in poverty or those struggling with mental illness or addiction are often overlooked, dismissed, or completely ignored. Your donation tells the people on the receiving end that you see them and you care.
Locating the Local Places
To find a place in need of clothing donations, ask around. Your friends or co-workers may volunteer for a place that serves the community. If you’re a member of a religious group or a service-oriented club, such as the Rotary or Lions Clubs, ask the leaders and members for local ideas.
You can also use key phrases to search online for local places to donate. Use your city or zip code to zoom in on non-profits specific to where you live. Some examples:
“Women’s clothing donation near me”
“Clothing bank in my city”
“Women’s shelter near me”
“Where should I donate winter coats in my zip code?”
As you sort through the results, look for organizations that put your donations to work for the people they serve. You can typically find that information on the “About” page, the “Get Involved,” or the “Donate” page on their website.
Examples of Service Organizations Near Me
Mary’s Place
Here in Seattle, we have Mary’s Place, an organization that has helped thousands of women and families move out of homelessness into more stable situations. Their programs strive to keep families together, bringing them inside if they are living on the street. They work to provide safety for women and children who might face unsafe living situations at home. They provide housing and employment services, community, and hope.
Mary’s Place always needs maternity clothes, seasonal clothing for women and children, and layering items, like coats and gloves, for the wet Seattle winters. Here is a link to their donation list.
Jubilee Women’s Center
Since 1983, Jubilee Women’s Center has been in Seattle, offering women experiencing poverty a variety of programs and services to build stable and fulfilling futures. In addition to services like job training, money management classes, and community building, Jubilee Women’s Center operates a free boutique for residents, alumnae, and other women with low income who would otherwise be unable to afford quality items. The clothing you donate becomes interview attire, a new job wardrobe, and confidence-inspiring everyday pieces.
Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission provides emergency care and long-term recovery services to hurting and homeless people in Seattle and the surrounding county. This organization is boots-on-the-ground, meeting people where they are. Along with the programs they offer, they also deliver warm gloves, hats, scarves, and blankets to people who live outside in the winter.
Local Thrift Shops that Serve Your Community
In addition to non-profit organizations that use your donations to provide clothing directly to those who need it, you might find thrift shops in your area that use the funds from their sales to support the work they do for people in your community. Key phrases to search include “thrift shops near me” and “non-profit thrift shops in my town.” Remember to visit websites and read reviews to see how the clothing you donate will be used. If that information isn’t readily available, check their social media if they have it, or contact the shop to find out.
Examples Near Me
Out of the Closet
Out of the Closet is one example of a thrift shop supporting a cause. According to their website, when you shop or donate there, “96 cents of every dollar made goes to AIDS Healthcare Foundation's HIV prevention and treatment services.” Their shops also offer HIV testing, and some offer pharmacy services. With about 23 shops in towns and cities across the United States, there may be one near you.
Simple & Just
Simple & Just is a non-profit with thrift shops in Portland and Seattle. Their website indicates that 100% of the proceeds from their shops are passed on to local organizations that provide safe shelters, mental health services, and life skills development for victims of sexual exploitation.
As you can see, there are ways of helping people with donations directly from your closet. It just takes a little research to ensure your things find their way to people who can use them.
Even after doing your research, though, you may feel uncomfortable donating locally. Perhaps the only option nearby is a large warehouse center, and you fear most of it will end up in landfills. If that’s the case, stick with me for the next couple of weeks. I have some other ideas to help you rehome your oldies but goodies.
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Love this! "Your donation tells the people on the receiving end that you see them and you care." Helpful info.