When I was growing up, my mom always seemed to have one or two big garbage bags full of things we no longer used waiting in the basement until a local non-profit organization came to pick them up. The organization sold donated items in thrift stores and used the money to help fund job training programs and other services. Items varied from out-grown clothing and old toys, to books, little-used kitchen gadgets and more. Big Brothers Big Sisters, Goodwill, Purple Heart, and the Salvation Army are some other national non-profit organizations that raise money this way, and many communities also have similar locally-run thrift stores that benefit worthy causes.
The best part for my mom was the fact that this organization would send a pick-up truck a few time a year to pick up the bags. My mother didn’t have to worry about finding time out of her busy schedule to drop off the bags, or make a special trip. The organization would send a postcard reminding her of the pick-up date, and all she had to do was leave the bags outside the front door. She even would get a tax-deductible receipt for it. Not all of the organizations do pick-ups, but you certainly can call ahead and find out if they do and, if possible get a date to know when to leave your bags outside.
A couple of things to keep in mind: make sure the goods are still usable, and that everything is clean. Samples of things many charitable thrift stores take are lamps, dishes, pot and pans, sports equipment and so forth. Anything broken or no longer useable should be disposed of elsewhere or recycled. If the organization in your town doesn’t do pick-ups, find out where the nearest drop-off centers is.
Working with Danielle* to organize her basement, we ended up with four large garbage bags full of goods she no longer wanted or needed. The items were in good condition, so Danielle preferred to donate them instead of tossing them out. I knew she wouldn’t have time to drop them off so I called to request a pick up for Danielle and then sent her the dates and times to leave the bags. The pick-up truck is usually a free service, and arranging for it is one of the things I can do to help when organizing for my clients.
*Name has been changed for privacy