Some call it seasonal cleaning, others are on a Home Edit kick or maybe, like me, an additional member will soon be joining your family and it’s time to make more space in your home. Whatever your situation, when doing a deep clean, you’re likely considering loading up unneeded items and donating them to the closest Goodwill or Salvation Army. While places likes those, Savers, and many others are a good, easy choice, I would like to provide you with some alternative, more intentional options for donating within the Twin Ports area.
The Free Store, formerly known as The Clothing Exchange, provides free clothing and household good to those in need. Donations accepted are: clothing, shoes, and household goods like bedding, kitchen wares, towels, etc. They also accept small working appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, and small microwaves.
The Damiano Center’s Clothes That Work program provides work appropriate apparel for interviews and those beginning a new job. Staff and volunteers guide customers to appropriate apparel for various types of positions. In addition to providing two outfits for job seekers or five outfits for those who already have a job, they also provide accessories, hygiene, and beauty products.
Kids Closet provides free clothes for Duluth school children in early childhood thru fifth grade who are in need. They are able to outfit children for school – gym shoes, socks, underwear, school outfits, and winter outerwear, including boots.
They accept new and gently used clothing, outwear and shoes for elementary-aged children.
Some places are not able to take our secondhand items, but have long lists of new items needed. So for all you recovering extreme couponers, beauty/hygiene product gift receivers, parents with extra baby supplies, or business owners who have an overstock of these items, consider donating to the places below:
Center Against Sexual and Domestic Abuse (CASDA)
CASDA’s mission is to provide supportive services to individuals hurt by domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse while advocating for a community effort to end violence.
Items they are currently in need of:
- Household Items: 42-gallon garbage bags, All Purpose Cleaner, Dish Soap , Dryer Sheets,Dish Towels, Sylvania LED Light Bulbs – 60 Watt, Silverware Sets
- Hygiene Items: Liquid Hand Soap, Kleenex, Deodorant, Wash Cloths, Lotion, Makeup, Disposable Medical Gloves
- Misc Items: Pillows Mattress Covers/Protectors for Twin-Sized Beds, Swimwear (all genders and ages), Undergarments (all genders and ages)
LSS Crisis Nursery in Duluth provides up to three days and nights of emergency care for children from birth through age 12.
Frequently needed items:
- Diapers: sizes 4, 5 or 6
- Baby wipes
- Diaper ointment, baby skin care items, and other baby hygiene items
Life House provides for virtually every need of young people who have been left to fend for themselves on the streets. More importantly, however, Life House provides a place of acceptance, safety, and belonging where youth can reclaim a positive, healthy and hopeful future.
Items they are currently in need of:
- Full-sized toiletry items, such as shampoo/conditioner, lotion, body wash and deodorant
- Toothbrushes, toothpaste and shaving supplies
- New socks and underwear for both men and women
- Baby food, formula, bottles and diapers
Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA)
PAVSA is a nonprofit rape crisis center in southern St. Louis County that helps area residents cope with the aftermath of sexual violence.
Items they are currently in need of:
- Feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads, and both disposable and reusable cups)
- Toothpaste – travel size preferred (think of that stockpile you have from your dentist)
- Deodorant, Toothbrushes, Combs and Brushes
- Makeup – samples are welcome
- Disposable coffee cups
- Non-perishable and healthy, high-protein snacks
- Art supplies
Safe Haven serves individuals and families affected by domestic violence in Duluth & Northern Minnesota.
They are currently not accepting any used goods donations. The following items are things that we are currently in need of:
- No-contract, pay-by-the-minute phones (we aren’t able to get any 911 phones right now)
- Lysol/disinfecting spray
- Disposable disinfecting wipes
- Disposable gloves
- Toilet paper
- Double/Full flat bed sheets ONLY (these are the only kinds used in the shelter)
- Pillows
- Thermometers (forehead preferred)
- Storage containers (tubs)
- Laundry bags for residents in shelter
- Laundry Pods
- Extra cleaning towels/rags
- Mops
Other places frequently in need of donations:
Great article with awesome places to donate!
One thing that caught my attention, though, is that lumping the Salvation Army thrift store with Goodwill and Savers really minimizes all the good they do in our community. While Goodwill is wrought with issues and questionable practices, our local SA thrift store provides goods to hundreds of families in need (they can “shop” with vouchers from the SA), while all profits go directly to their critical programs like heat share, food shelf, etc- programs that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable in our community.
Just a thought!
Comments are closed.