Places to donate excess stockpile items!

[Little Birdie]

Just yesterday I did a Google search for Iowa Women's Shelter and found Children and Families of Iowa. The run a lot of different programs and have a list of in kind donations that they accept on their web site.

I also searched for the local animal shelter and copied down their list. (Did you know they need office supplies--like pens!)

My stockpile is still tiny and scattered. But now I'll start looking for deals on dog food (I don't have a dog) or pick up more laundry detergent than I know we could possibly use because I know I'll have a place to give it. I've seen and passed up on deals like this cause I thought, "why pick up something I don't need?"

I'm still going to take care of my family first, but it's nice to know I can help others for nothing or pennies.

After I feel organized enough, I plan to find a couple more charities.

[pennywatcher]

Just yesterday I did a Google search for Iowa Women's Shelter and found Children and Families of Iowa.
<snip>
After I feel organized enough, I plan to find a couple more charities.

I started up a Georgia list (http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/stockpiling-guide-discussions/48880-where-donate-georgia.html). You might want to start up an Iowa one to share.

[Jiji]

After reading hotcouponmama's post about donating to a local shelter, it made me think about all the ways we can and do help other people. With me, of course I donate to a local woman's shelter and an emergency house for children who are pulled out of dangerous homes/situations with little except the clothes on their back. The other thing I like to do is more of a RAOK. When I see someone buying something that I have a coupon for that I won't need (or miss!!) I walk by them and say, "Here you can use this and now my good deed for the day is done". Most people really appreciate it and I've never had anyone react negatively. The worst I ever get is "What is this and how do I use it?". Well, after I come to, I give a brief explanation and I'm on my way. Once it turned into a 10 minute, blocking-the-aisles, pulling out of my binder tutorial.

What I would love to do is give a class to lower-income families to help them out. I know what it's like to live on food stamps or worry about stretching my food to last the week.

What do you or wish you could do?

[TheyCallMeMom]

I have alot of pet food, cleaning, office supplies etc. that I am bringing to the animal shelter Sunday.. I asked if they could use coupons to.. they have two ladies that do alot of shopping for them so they said "YEAH!" so what ever I havent used by then I will drop off..

I want to remind people that animal shelters need office supplies, and tp, paper twoles etc... mine says they mostly get pet food/litter which helps.. they can also use gas cards or store gift cards.. as they dont always have space for storage

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I just loaded up a family that my DD knows with some stuff. Sometimes giving it to someone we know, and they can truely use it is really satisfying.

I donate to other places as well much like the OP and posters below.

[chanfu]

Here are some donation suggestions based upon my own personal experiences in jobs or volunteer positions:

I used to volunteer for a sexual assault/domestic violence hotline, so I became familiar with what the local domestic violence shelters wanted. HBA items are always welcome, as are baby items. Adult women's and children's clothing are also wanted. Many survivors leave the abusive situation with only the clothes on their backs. A particular need is nice-looking business clothing in good condition that would be appropriate to wear for job interviews. Another need of some agencies and shelters is unwanted but working cell phones. Cell phones are required by law to allow you to call 911 for free, even if you're not hooked up to a plan. These phones are given to domestic violence survivors to use in emergencies (such as if they are being stalked or harassed). Call first before donating cell phones, though, because some places have been swamped with them.

I also used to work in a nursing home. We used to set up a little "general store" for the residents once a week, so they could buy things like HBA items, candy, snacks, greeting cards, stationery, and small gifts. Many of the residents were on Medicaid, which meant they had very little money to spend. I bet donations of the above items would be welcome. Sugar-free candy and snacks were particularly desired, as many residents were diabetic.

I did my graduate school internship at an agency that helps immigrants and refugees who have survived torture or political violence. These people were usually very poor and so the agency often put together gift packages for them of HBA items, household products, and backpacks and school supplies for the children. This is another kind of agency that could use these kinds of donations.

I recently speculated in another thread that community theaters might be able to use hair coloring products, especially men's hair color and temporary haircolors that can be washed out. My husband acts in community theater and sometimes uses men's haircolor products to cover the grey in his hair and beard when playing a younger character.

[speechteach]

OK, so my DH is getting a little annoyed with all the stuff I am bringing home. Says we don't need it, stop bringing it into the house to take up space. So, ok, maybe I do have a problem,:wink7: but I am having fun! Anyway, I figured I would give a call to our local food bank to see what they accept, especially for HBA stuff (shampoo, razors, deodorant...). (We are a family of 3 and I have enough shampoo to last a family of 6 over a year I think!!! :rolleyes24:)

So I am just curious what you all do with all your "stuff?" I'm afraid if I don't start donating more, dh will cut me off entirely....how dreadful!:shrug7:

Help!

[kdownie]

I posted some on Freecycle just yesterday (a lot of hair coloring), and I got probably 10 responses already. I am giving it to the woman who is going to take it to a shelter that helps abused women. I don't need it, and she says that these women would love a bit of pampering!

[jreid0978]

you can donation to a local women sheltor

[MoJo]

There are lots of places that would love your donations!

In addition to the foodbank, check local shelters, the Red Cross and other community groups that reach out to people in times of need. In our town, we have a non-food bank that specifically addresses household essentials (toothpaste, soap, laundry detergent, etc.) that are not covered by food stamps.

Give generously. It will come back to you 100 fold.

[dandjsmom]

I am in the same position as you so I laughed when I read your post. I talk about donating everything I have in mega bulk but then I help my family and the amount goes down. I do have a bunch of deodorant now so I may bag that up and find somewhere to drop it off (as well as diabetic monitors :shrug7:).

You see though, he can't really complain too much because he has fishing stuff to compliment all my hba and food stockpiles. I do try to keep it all together down cellar but when I do well the bags are in the kitchen until I put them away.

[mama22qts]

I'm about to donate a whole bunch of stuff to my church's yard sale in another month. You might consider something like that as well.

[speechteach]

I am in the same position as you so I laughed when I read your post. I talk about donating everything I have in mega bulk but then I help my family and the amount goes down. I do have a bunch of deodorant now so I may bag that up and find somewhere to drop it off (as well as diabetic monitors :shrug7:).

You see though, he can't really complain too much because he has fishing stuff to compliment all my hba and food stockpiles. I do try to keep it all together down cellar but when I do well the bags are in the kitchen until I put them away.

I had to laugh at your post....and your siggie. I am in the same boat with my dh! Only in my house it is fishing stuff, photography stuff, scuba diving stuff....he has lots of hobbies. The difference....his cost A LOT more! :smile: So I really don't think he has much of a case overall!!

[speechteach]

sorry...deleted

[Haley]

anysolider.com

Our Armed Forces over seas are always asking for
-Toothpaste
-toothbrushes
-snacks
-soap, shampoo, hair care products.

All the stuff we can get for free! I am going to start getting toothpaste again just to send over.

[mommykitty]

i donate all my monitors to the JDF (juvenile diabeties foundation(sp?)) gonna start saving some of my stuff for the Any Soldier thing. I just gave 10 tubes of toothpaste and loads of mouth wash away yesterday. LOL .... i wonder if the soldiers want some soy joy bars LMAO!!!

[solitarymanner]

i just gotta say, when this post first started, we had a Flea talking to a Bugface when a Bee buzzed in !!!!! LOL

[Alice Chalmers]

LOL .... i wonder if the soldiers want some soy joy bars LMAO!!!
Yes, they would. :smile: A SoyJoy bar would be a fantastic snack for them. They also really like baby wipes and lotion--baby wipes for missions when they can't clean up, and lotion because the air there is so dry it just sucks the moisture out of your skin.

Nursing homes. I know it was said before about snacks and such, but nursing home residents also need personal items such as shampoo, facial moisturizer, nice lotion, bath gel, razors, shave cream, deodorant, lipstick, nail polish, nail polish remover and most importantly, socks and underwear. So very many people have little to no belongings, and no family to get them what they need.

[meems]

I was just reading an article in our local paper about the animal shelter needing laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent, canned food & treats...I know Iams provides the dry foods for this particular shelter.

[pam]

My daughter daisy scout has just done a donation to a local woman shelters and I put 2 monitors in there. They were a big hit. If anyone in Knoxville, TN needs to get rid of any monitors if you pm me I will give you the name of the shelter.

[nova]

:wavehi: The USO is always looking for donations to hand out to the many soldiers who pass through their doors on their way to the next destination. The St. Louis USO has a wish list of usable items which include:
Lip Balm
Deodorant
Shave Cream
Cough Drops
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Kleenex
Individual Moist Towlettes
Feminine Hygiene Products
Individual Serving Size of Snacks...but no gum

Other USO's many need other items. Call them up, I bet they would be glad to take your stockpile of items that are collecting dust. :smile:

[ILv2Shop]

Give generously. It will come back to you 100 fold.

This is such a true statement. :BigHand:

[Mothernature]

I am in MA too. I donated a boat load of stuff last year. There is the Transition House in Cambridge (Transition House (http://www.transitionhouse.org/)). They have restaffed; I hope it is more professional. There is also a homeless shelter in Central Square (near the T stop). They received 8-10 boxes of merchandise.

This year, I'm at the flea markets with my extras. The already high COL, the increasing costs (I'm waiting for the T to announce an increase), and paying for 2 college educations (self and DH), we need all the funds we can secure.

I did make a large stock pile gift basket ($1 basket with grass, netting, and bow) for my IL's anniversary. They've never handled money well; I am sure they are suffering in this economy. I am making one for my brother when I go to visit him in September. I've sent two flat rate priority boxes of merchandise already. I donated a bag of toothpaste, forks, and deodorant to a family of 5.

Everyone is having a difficult time right now. I actually had a shelter offer to pick up toothpaste at my home. The main Boston homeless shelter is very desperate for donations as well as the food pantries. It's sad. We live in the richest country in the world and people are struggling . I wish I could do more.

[mxmom99]

i am in nc and am a Girl Scout leader. many GS troops do service projects that include collecting donated food/toiletry items. i am new to this site, please please keep in mind the other organizations that can benefit from your "collections". if you want to donate some things, call you local GS council and i'm sure they can help get yo in touch with a local troop. i am incredibly impressed in this stockpile section. keep up the good work!!

[cpaige]

I think this is such a wonderful idea!! I worked as a Domestic Violence counselor in the women's shelter and can tell you that donations are a huge, HUGE help!! I can also tell you though, that when it comes to the trial size, hotel size HBA items, most have TONS, upon TONS of them!! The best one for that is the Toothpaste as that goes really quick!! Regular size HBA are the best ones, and are acutally used faster than the small ones. Sad but true. Also, a lot of them do fundraisers and are usually looking for donations for their chinese auctions as well. If you look in your local phonebook, you will find the info right in the beginning of it. Just please, ask them what they are looking for as sometimes they may be overloaded on some items.

I also have a very dear friend of mine over seas, and we try to send stuff to him and his squad on a regular basis. I do know that if any of you have children who might be interested in having a pen pal, that they are more than willing to correspond with them!!

I've always felt that doing something to help others just for the sake of doing it is a moral booster!! I'm a firm believer in KARMA, so pass the good Karma around!!!

[MrsPinecone]

Any fresh ideas are always welcome!

[luvmykitten]

Kits and blankets | Mennonite Central Committee (http://mcc.org/kits)

You could send them buddy bars for their newborn kits! :BigHand:
They need toothpaste too! :BigHand:

You don't have to send a complete kit, you can just send a box of soap or a box of toothpaste.

[luvmykitten]

I am in MA too. I donated a boat load of stuff last year. There is the Transition House in Cambridge (Transition House (http://www.transitionhouse.org/)). They have restaffed; I hope it is more professional. There is also a homeless shelter in Central Square (near the T stop). They received 8-10 boxes of merchandise.

This year, I'm at the flea markets with my extras. The already high COL, the increasing costs (I'm waiting for the T to announce an increase), and paying for 2 college educations (self and DH), we need all the funds we can secure.

I did make a large stock pile gift basket ($1 basket with grass, netting, and bow) for my IL's anniversary. They've never handled money well; I am sure they are suffering in this economy. I am making one for my brother when I go to visit him in September. I've sent two flat rate priority boxes of merchandise already. I donated a bag of toothpaste, forks, and deodorant to a family of 5.

Everyone is having a difficult time right now. I actually had a shelter offer to pick up toothpaste at my home. The main Boston homeless shelter is very desperate for donations as well as the food pantries. It's sad. We live in the richest country in the world and people are struggling . I wish I could do more.

I wonder if they would pick up stuff for me. I don't have a reliable car to go across town. Last year it worked out fine because our apartment complex had a drive for the shelter at Christmas. I just bought more stuff. My neighbor said he would bring it to a shelter after his surgery, bless his heart.

[kktl32]

thx for all the post

[cybilx10]

I donate to my local churches who also give to the foodbanks in the area. I then go to the womens shelter and the St Judes home for boys and girls. If Im lucky with shopping I will pick up food and paper towels and and other things and drop it off at my local Humane Society. Its not like they havent gotten enough of my money but I still like to take care of the few animals I havent adopted from there. LOL