As a moving manager, it’s my job to know all the places to go to donate your home possessions, clothing, or food donations. I was recently talking with a woman at the gym who was on her way to drop off a few bags of clothes to the local ‘for-profit default donation center’. She didn’t want to bring the clothes there, she wanted to give them to another local charity that she knew would directly impact those in need, but felt it was the only option.
I get that entire sentiment – donate now, donate to those who need. Part of who I am as a person and what I want to do for the world is to give back to those who are in need. Many of those in our communities don’t plan to, or want to, be in need, but sometimes life throws a curveball and changes those circumstances. Sometimes, its something completely different that causes that need.
Part of my business model is to ensure that when a client is downsizing or moving and don’t need their furniture or home goods anymore, those items go to charities to benefit those who live in in our community who are in need. To me, that’s a win/win. The homeowner no longer needs or wants and gives to those who need and want.
Going back to my discussion with my fellow gym-member, I didn’t have an immediate answer to which charities would accept clothing donations right then and there. She wanted to drop the clothes off right after she left the gym. I found a blind spot for me, I didn’t have an immediate answer for her, so I did a little research and created a consolidated list of a few local non-profit charities in the MetroWest Boston area.
This is a limited list since there are so many great organizations that support their local communities, as this list grows, I’ll publish updates. If you have an idea you would like to add, please contact me and I am happy to expand this list.
Household Items:
Please visit these websites or call ahead of time. In most cases, you need an appointment to drop off your donations.
With Restores in Ashland and Worcester, each ReStore is independently operated by their local Habitat for Humanity Organization. Donations are intended to keep gently used items out of landfills while providing support for the community. All donations received are sold in store to the public and the proceeds are used to help families build, rehabilitate, and repair safe homes for those in the local communities where the restores are located.
Located in Newtonville, MA. They over gently used previously owned, donated goods to families who are experiencing hardship with basic household items they need to live with dignity, free of charge. This amazing group started when they saw an opportunity from older adults who were downsizing and purging usable home goods. Appointments are needed to donate goods, so please check out their website to see what they urgently need and to make your donation appointment.
Another amazing organization located in Acton, MA. They provide a full range of donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home. They serve a wide community of families including those recently homeless, veterans, those fleeing domestic violence, children, youth or elderly in need of assistance, those living with disability or illness, victims of fire and families trying to get by on minimum wage. You can find items needed for donation here.
Located in Walpole, MA. A volunteer-led non-profit provides gently used donated household items and furniture to those in need, free of charge. Working closely with referring agencies like Family Promise Metrowest, they assist individuals and families who are transitioning out of homelessness, are fire survivors, those who are escaping domestic violence, military veterans, and refugees. If you live within the specific service area, they will pick up your items for a minor fee. For priority pick-up, the service area expands. Visit the site via the links above for more information.
With donation drop off locations in many different locations, you can donate your home goods, clothes, your time or make a financial contribution. Find where to donate your stuff here.
Located in Hudson, MA, Fresh Start Furniture Bank is a volunteer-run charity that provides gently used donated furniture and distributes to those in need. They help restore hope, dignity, and stability for those who are in need. As like other non-profit agencies, there are many ways to donate. If you’re looking to donate goods, you can find the Items in Critical Need on their homepage. You can also make a financial contributionor buy off their Amazon Wish List.
Clothing Donation
Please call or email the donation locations to determine if an appointment is necessary when dropping off a donation. Each donation center has different needs at different times throughout the year, so please ask what they are most urgently in need of before donating.
Located in Natick, MA as part of the Natick Service Council. An amazing local organization that accepts seasonal donations of women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, and accessories - and gives them to the local communitiy in need. Please call them or send an email in advance to see what they need before arranging a drop off. Contact details are in the link to the organization above.
This non-profit organization located in Newton (Newtonville), MA. They and their volunteers help families that fall within the poverty level provide gently used items for their children. They accept items like properly fitting clothing for school, diapers, shoes, pajamas, cold weather coats, books, toys and other basic need items. You can find the items they accept here. Pay special attention to the quality guidelines, these children need quality items to preserve their own dignity.
Located in Boston, the mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. As with any non-profit, their needs change regularly. You can find the urgent needs here, but please contact them directly via email if you have a clothing donation question.
This amazing nonprofit based in both Waltham and Boston focuses on empowering young adults who are in the foster care system, are court involved, homeless or out of school. By providing paid job opportunities to these young adults, they can build skills, learn how to become independent and advocate for themselves through development and life skills development.
The best part about this, in my opinion, is that these individuals in the program learn how to operate a business setting them up for success in whatever career path they choose for the future. You can donate a few different ways: Shop in the physical bookstore in either Waltham or Boston; shop online, make a financial donation; donate good quality clothes and books, CD’s and DVD;s, Vinyl records, video games and shoes and accessories; or find a donation bin nearest to you. Like other charities, it’s always good to check ahead of time to see what they need.
Food Pantries, Hygiene Services, Other Family Items
With any food pantry, food donations should be unexpired. If you’re moving and need to store your home items, please consider donating the unused, unexpired contents in your pantry to your local food pantry. Gift cards are also always accepted so families can purchase for themselves. When you want to donate, please consider cash donations.
I had the opportunity to visit and tour this amazing non-profit. They work to improve food security in the Framingham, MA area. So many families and senior citizens on fixed incomes are experiencing food insecurity due to the rising costs of housing, groceries, utilities – you name it. Salaries aren’t keeping pace with inflation which makes these types of organizations busier. The last time I had connected with Daniel’s Table, their donations were down and the number of families they serve was up considerably. Typically, I would suggest food donations for this organization, but if you are looking to donate to a charity, please consider making a financial donation.
Located in Natick, they offer different programs to over 20 communities to provide emergency food, diapers, and personal care items, and sometimes clothing. They provide services in a dignified and confidential manner. You can find their immediate needs for donations here.
Located in Natick, MA, Family Promise serves low- and moderate-income families with at least one child under 18 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. I had the privilege of visiting this organization and am thoroughly impressed with the work they do for families. Updated regularly, they publish a list of items most in need here. As a referring agency, they work with other organizations in this list to help service their clients in need.
Located in Needham, MA. They are dedicated to addressing hygiene security, this organization is committed to providing essentials like soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, and menstrual products to youths and families experiencing hygiene insecurity across the state.
There are so many donation options in the Greater Boston and MetroWest areas and beyond including non-profits, places of worship, Buy Nothing Groups on Facebook and more. If you need help with your downsizing or donating your home goods, feel free to reach out and connect to help find a way to get your donated goods to the best non-profit. If you’re not from the area or don’t have items to donate, please consider a financial donation to any of those listed above.