Things You Wouldn’t Think of Donating
Often when we think of donating old items we think of clothing, but did you know that old eyeglasses are “wanted” items as well? Don’t throw those items into landfills, donate them! Keep reading for some ideas on how to eliminate old items in the most socially and environmentally way possible.
The Lions Club has a program for donating used eyeglasses. Visit www.lionsclub.org to find out how to donate them.
Donate old furniture to your local high school or college drama club. Often these clubs are looking for props and how fun would it be to see a play and say, “that’s my couch!”
You can donate your old computer or other office equipment though www.Recycles.org. Fill out a brief form that describes the type of equipment that you would like to get rid of and this organization will match you with a recipient in your area. www.excessaccess.com is a similar service that will match the items that you are looking to donate with non-profit organizations in your area. With this service, you will have to pay between $3 and $10 to list your item.
The Princess Project is a Bay Area organization that holds annual drives for donations of formal dresses and accessories. The donated items go to kids in high school that would normally not have the ability to go to their prom. On the Princess Project website there are links to other similar organizations across the United States. What are you hanging onto all those bridesmaid dresses for anyway? You will never wear them again, so donate them!
If you can get some co-workers, family and friends to gather up 20 or more used cell phones, Shelter Alliance will send you a pre-paid shipping envelope to use to send them back. Shelter Alliance recycles cell phone parts and donates the proceeds to local non-profits across the country.
Find a local ASPCA office near you. These shelters are always in need of leashes, water bowls and other pet supplies. Even if your toy poodle Buffy gained a little weight and can’t fit into her pink angora sweater any longer, donate it!
So you’re going through your cabinets and you’ve come across some canned food that you’re probably never going to use. Check the date stamp and if it’s still good, take it to a local food bank. Often, during the holiday season, many retailers will display food drive receptacles for your convenience. America’s Second Harvest (www.secondharvest.org) donates over 2 BILLION pounds of food each year to needy people across the United States. On their website you can search and locate a donation center near you.
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