Be Charitable with Your Giveaways
The holiday season is a natural time for charitable giving … but it’s important to remember that not everything we want to donate may be appropriate or welcomed.
As a general rule, donate items that would be welcomed by a family member, friend or neighbor. Most charities want readily usable items that they can deliver to the needy or sell to raise funds for a cause. Volunteers in these organizations usually cannot repair items. Anything that is broken, disfigured or worn out is trash. Leaving such items at a charity uses staff time to process them and can increase their garbage disposal costs.
Never leave items out in the elements, as usable items may get soggy, moldy or otherwise unusable. Always donate when the charity is open for business. Check their websites and/or call to make sure they can take in your items and at what time. Some households have downsized and donated during the pandemic, and some charities may be overloaded currently.
If unwanted items are recyclable, that may be a better option. While a lot of pretty glass jars may be repurposed as vases, if you do not want the glass, recycle it.
Here is a list of items that most charities will not take, either because the items must be recycled in a specific way or the items are outdated, unsafe or the subject of a recall:
Items Charities May Not Accept
- Baby equipment
- Books (Beatley Library accepts used books and has a yearly sale; call other charities before bringing books)
- Car seats
- Computers/Monitors
- Exercise equipment
- Major appliances
- Mattresses
- Tires
- Toys
- Televisions
Following is information on several local organizations including how, what and where to donate:
Local Organizations Accepting Donations of Clothing and Household Items
This is a list of nearby brick and mortar stores that take donations of clothing and household items, which will be given to the needy or sold to raise funds for a cause. Some of these places may accept small items of furniture, such as end tables or small chairs; others may accept and pick up larger items of furniture, such as sofas and dressers. Your best bet is to contact the charity directly before donating.
Places That Give Donated Items to the Needy at No Cost
ALIVE!
Gives donated items to the needy referred by the Alexandria Office of Community Services. Check the website for an inventory of items needed and for which they have a full inventory currently: www.alive-inc.org. To donate: housewares@alive-inc.org. Donations are collected at Fairlington United Methodist Church, 3900 King Street. Alexandria.
ALIVE! also picks up furniture on Saturdays and on three Sundays a year. That service was suspended during the pandemic, but check the website for its return. To donate: furniture@alive-inc.org.
Koinonia
Collects clothing and distributes it to those in need in Kingstowne/Franconia area. Check the website for needed items; www.koinoniacares.org. To Donate: 703-971-1991, 6222 Franconia Road, Alexandria – place items in the drop-off bins.
Places That Sell Donated Items for a Cause
Springfield Treasure Trove
Accepts donations of clothes, household items, home décor and clothes and sells them to raise funds for the INOVA Fairfax Medical Campus programs and services; some consignments are permitted. To Donate: 703-569-7751, 6416 Spring Blvd. (in Springfield Plaza Commuter). Donations are generally accepted during business hours, which currently are Wednesday-Sunday.
The Twig
Accepts and sells quality clothing, accessories and household items to raise money for INOVA Hospital in Alexandria. The store generally closes for the summer. Check the website for items currently accepted: thetwig@thetwig.org; there generally is a monthly list of items sought. To donate: 703-683-5544, 106 N. Columbus in Old Town Alexandria.
Look Again Resale
Accepts household items, antiques, collectibles, bric-a-brac and some clothes and books to raise funds for the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metro Washington. Check the website, www.youreyes.org, for details on what they accept; donations are accepted during working hours, which currently are Thursday-Sunday. To donate: 703-683-2558, 900 King in Old Town. There is a reserved parking spot right outside the door to drop off donations. Some furniture pick-up may be available – call the shop.
Catholic Charities Christ House Thrift Shop
Accepts clothing and accessories and sells them to raise funds to support Catholic Charities’ Emergency Assistance Program for Alexandrians in need. The store is currently open on Thursday, Friday and Monday. To donate: 703-548-4227, 1255 West Street in Old Town Alexandria.
Salvation Army Store and Donor Center
Accepts more than just clothing and household items to sell in the store at reasonable prices to serve the needy and to support the work of the Salvation Army. To donate: 703-642-9270, 6528 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria. They accept donations in a drive-through process Monday-Saturday from 10am to 8pm; they are closed on Sunday. For a free pick-up, schedule an appointment at www.satruck.com or call the store.
ReStore
Accepts furniture, appliances, home décor and building materials to sell to raise funds to support Habitat for Humanity’s efforts in NOVA to assist low- to moderate-income families with housing. Many local contractors donate excess building materials here. To donate: 703-360-6700, 869 S. Pickett, Alexandria. They accept donations from 10am to 6pm Monday-Saturday; they are closed on Sunday. To arrange a pick-up, call the store. All items to be donated must be curbside, on the driveway or in the garage;
Goodwill Donation Center and Store
Volunteers accept much more than just clothing and housewares. Check their website at www.dcgoodwill.org. To donate: 703-647-8402, 6220 Richmond Highway, Alexandria. Donation Center accepts donations Monday-Saturday from 10am to 7pm.
Accepting Other Items
Upcycle
UpCycle Creative Reuse Center is an Alexandria, Virginia based non-profit that connects creativity and conservation by providing a resource center for reuse materials and a creative making space for the community. Donations are by appointment only www.upcyclecrc.org/materials-donations1.html. Bring no more than three bags/boxes per appointment. A box = one banker's-style box. A bag = one paper grocery bag. Donations are accepted at the loading dock between the Durant Center and the pool at 1605 Cameron Street. Please wear a mask and maintain a safe distance from our staff
Follow