April 18, 2019 / Blog / ilcorp

Donating Your Household Items to Charity

Every year around this time, many of us get inspired to clean, declutter and throw away stuff that we no longer need. It’s spring cleaning season, and this is a great time of year to donate your unwanted belongings to a charity or local organization. Not only is donating a great way to eliminate clutter in your home, but you also get to give back to your community and help other people. Plus, if you’re downsizing your home or just need more space, donating to charity is a worthwhile option.  The Immanuel Foundation is currently taking donations for its Annual Estate Sale on Saturday, May 18th at the Gateway Community Center, 1203 Hwy 2 W, Kalispell. Call 406.752.9243 for more information.

Things to Donate to Charities and Community Organizations

You might be surprised at the number and variety of items many organizations will take if you’re willing to give it away. If you have an item you can’t bear to toss out but no longer need, there is probably an organization out there that would make good use of it. Consider lending a helping hand and making a difference in someone’s life with your old belongings.

Clothing

A popular and much-needed category, clothing items are essential for everyone. Charities such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army are continually accepting donations of clothing for those in need. If you have professional wear that you no longer use, consider Dress for Success for women or Flathead Industries Kalispell Thrift Store for men. Both organizations support job seekers who need professional clothing for interviews. Other examples of clothes to donate include:

• Light jackets
• Shoes
• Boots (especially boots made for rainy spring weather)
• Shirts
• Pants
• Raincoats and umbrellas

Small Appliances

Some organizations will gladly accept appliances you no longer use, such as blenders or microwaves. However, make sure you check the guidelines for donating certain appliances. Some appliances, such as large dishwashers or dryers, will not be accepted by some charities due to safety concerns.

Pet Supplies

Are you an animal lover? Some of your old pet items can be put to good use for other pet owners. Many animal shelters will accept objects like pet beds, towels, litter boxes and water or food bowls. Check your local animal shelter or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) to see if they’ll accept donations like these.

Outdoor Tools

Don’t forget about decluttering your garage! Have you considered donating your old tools for outdoor maintenance? There are some charities that will accept donations of tools that can be used to spruce up yards, gardens and other outdoor essentials, especially if you have no further use for them. Consider:

• Lawn mowers
• Hedge cutters
• Rakes
• Shovels
• Garden hoses
• Old patio furniture

Miscellaneous Stuff to Donate

Charities all around the country can use your miscellaneous items to bring much-needed joy to people. For example, some hospitals use the power of music to heal patients during recovery, so they may have use of your old CDs. Some other examples include:

• Old sports equipment (bikes, helmets, kneepads)
• Office supplies (pens, notepads, extra paper)
• DVDs and blu-ray discs
• Old electronics like radios or TVs (Some charities can recycle them or use the still-working parts to make something new.)

Before you fill your trash with useable items, please take some time to consider whether it would be better to donate them instead. You never know who you’ll be helping to make treasures out of your trash.

Enjoy an Active, Vibrant Lifestyle With Immanuel Living

At Immanuel Living, you’ll find a variety of on-campus services and activities for an enriching, enjoyable senior living experience. We have everything you need to make sure you thrive and enjoy your carefree retirement years. To learn more about independent living with Immanuel Living contact us today, or view our floor plans to start planning for downsizing your home.