Spring cleaning for a purpose

Spring is almost here, and that means it’s time to start spring cleaning! There are many worthy charities in town that desperately need new and gently used items, making it easy to purge your extra belongings while also helping those in need. Perhaps you donate your unwanted items based on a specific cause, or maybe you donate them out of convenience. Either way, you’re doing yourself a favor by eliminating the extra clutter and providing for those less fortunate.

But where do you begin? The Q&A below will help simplify the donation process for you:

What kinds of items can I donate?

Good items to donate include coats, hats, gloves, shoes, socks, small household appliances and kitchenware. Hotel toiletries, and free toothpaste and toothbrushes from the dentist are also great items to donate. [For more ideas, check out Mashable’s 13 essential items you never thought to donate.]

Where can I donate my belongings?

There are many places to donate your items. You can find donation bins around town. There is also a clothing drive at City Thrift Community Donation Center. Some nonprofit organizations like Ozanam will pick up your items if you contact them and schedule a pick-up time. You can also drop off items at places like Morning Glory Ministries and Uplift Organization. They will gladly take your new or gently used items and distribute them to people in need.

Why should I donate my unwanted items?

Aside from providing items for those in need (and de-cluttering your home), another benefit of donating is that charitable contributions count toward your taxes. Estimate how much your donated items are worth. A good way to do this is to think about how much you’d price these items at a garage sale. Make sure you get a receipt when you drop the items off (or have them picked up) and hold onto it so you can use it as a deduction on your taxes.

For more information on worthy charities and volunteer opportunities, contact us.