So you’ve made it through Marie Kondo-ing your whole house or just a big decluttering session? (Here’s 25 ways to declutter if you still need help!) Great! Now the problem is what to do with all that stuff?!

The easy thing is to just dump it all off at Goodwill. And I get that. But unfortunately dropping your stuff off at a thrift store doesn’t mean it will get into the hands of people that need it. Goodwill does some great things, but there are other organizations and people out there who can benefit from your “junk.”

This list is in no way comprehensive and will vary by location. The best thing you can do is Google your area and where you wish to donate items. Then, call them and ask if they are accepting donations. It’s easier than you think!

Women’s/Men’s/Youth Shelters
Women’s or Men’s shelters in your area may be able to benefit from your 50 unopened bottles of hotel shampoo, unused deodorant and other personal care products. Additionally, they may need bedding, clothing, games and books.

Animal Shelters or Animal Care Groups
Many animal shelters take donations of old towels and bedding. If you’ve had a dog with a change in diet or an animal that has passed (bless them!), an animal shelter also may be able to take their food or gently used toys.

Many wildlife refuges also need odd items that you wouldn’t think to donate. For example, a wildlife refuge in my area accepts cleaned, old mascara wands. They use them to remove larva from the fur of wild animals! (They accept mailed wand donations, by the way. Click here to learn how to donate to Wands for Wildlife.)

Foodbanks

Now, we all know that the food bank needs our donations. But did you know that many foodbanks also need personal care items, as well? This is also a great place to donate your hotel shampoos and unopened personal care items.

I used to volunteer at a food bank at the community college where I worked. One of the most important things I learned is that the best donations are ones that won’t expire within the next few months. Please do not donate expired food. You’ll just create more work for the volunteers.

Small foodbanks are often the ones in most need of donations. Check with your local school or church to see if they have their own foodbank and what kind of donations they currently accept.

Nextdoor & FreeCycle

Nextdoor is a private, social media site for your neighborhood. People put a variety of posts on this site– they may be looking for recommendations or hosting a party. I don’t personally use Nextdoor, but I could imagine it would be convenient to post larger items that your neighbors may need, such as lumber.

Freecycle is a site where you can post your items that you want or you wish to give away. In my area, it’s mostly furniture, but you can post anything. Then, people in your are can come get it or you can take it to them.

Zerowaste Groups

I deleted my Facebook long ago, but this is the only reason I’d think about reinstating it! There are a lot of zero waste or buy nothing groups on Facebook where you and people in your neighborhood can post items and people will come pick them up from your porch! It sounds like magic! Ashley from The Goldhive recently wrote a detailed post about how she gives away “difficult” items using a local Buy Nothing group.

Art programs

Art programs are in need of your old crafting supplies! There are probably schools in your area that can use scissors, tape, colored paper and more! There also may be art therapy nonprofits or after school programs in your area that may be able to use your donations, as well.

As the wife of a former art teacher, I know how underfunded art programs can be. I also know that they may accept out-of-the-box items like old magazines for collage projects or wood to create their own canvases.

Libraries

You probably could guess that most libraries accept donations. If I can’t find a book at my library (which is rare!), I’ll buy it, read it and then donate it to the library. But I also used to be a librarian, so I’m going to let you in on a secret: libraries might not want your older books. Most libraries are working with a finite amount of shelf space, therefore, they want to keep the best and most relevant items on the shelf. Call and ask what the donation policies of your local library are– sometimes they’ll even have their policies written out online! Many libraries will also accept DVDs, so don’t forget about other types of media, as well.

For older books or books that the library may already have, you may want to donate to a Little Free Library in your area. Or, again, a shelter may be better able to use those books!

Cell Phones for Soldiers

I don’t know about you, but I’ve held on to my old cell phones because I didn’t know what to do with them. Cell phones for Soldiers is a program that accepts any and all types of cell phones from any carrier. They “connect veterans, military personal and military family members with phones and domestic airtime minutes.” There may be a drop off location near you, or you can mail them your old cell phone.

According to their website, “Newer, gently-used mobile devices, including smartphones, are preferred; however, proceeds are generated from the recycling of broken and outdated mobile phones. Chargers and accessories are also welcomed to donate.”

Do you know of any other organizations that can use donations? Share them in the comments, so we all can benefit from your ideas!