With spring in full swing + winter behind us, it’s time to say “out with the old.” Spring is the season of rebirth, so why not give new life to like-new or gently used items?
In the spirit of spring cleaning, we’ve rounded up a few ATX organizations that accept donated items, help locals in need + support community causes.
Vehicles
Make-A-Wish, Habitat for Humanity, Austin PBS, Vehicles for Veterans, and nonprofit CARS all accept car donations. In fact, most of them will send you a receipt letter for tax deduction and tow your car for free. Psst — Make-A-Wish, Habitat for Humanity, and Austin PBS will accept cars that no longer run.
Clothing
Most local thrift shops will accept clothing donations (check out our list of secondhand shops for more ideas), but here are a few places that will put your used goods to good use.
All the proceeds from Austin Pets Alive! Thrift — with five locations around the city — go toward caring for animals in the community.
Proceeds made from the Assistance League of Austin go to local charities including Project Impact, Operation School Bell, and Toy Cart. Excess donations are distributed to folks in need and therefore diverted from the landfill.
Gently used professional clothing given to Dress For Success Austin provides the wardrobe to help women gain economic independence. Plus, the org also offers career coaching services.
Childcare + household goods
The SAFE Alliance, Casa Marianella, and The Settlement Home for Children are always in need of certain childcare essentials. The SAFE Alliance also accepts furniture and vehicles to help support local families.
Austin Diaper Bank in North Austin provides diapers + wipes to families living in poverty.
Toybrary Austin allows families to play with and “check out” toys for free, so it’s a great place to donate toys with more life left in them.
Furniture
In addition to accepting vehicles, Austin Habitat for Humanity takes donated equipment + furniture to build homes, meaning you can bring your leftover remodel materials here.
Salvation Army makes donating your used stuff easy peasy by taking almost any type of donation, including furniture, clothing, kitchenware, toys, and books. Bonus: Salvation Army employees will pick up the items from your house if you schedule a time.
College Hunks Hauling Junk will also pick up your used items so you don’t have to lift a finger (often with same-day or next-day service, too), plus, they’ll bring you a tax-deduction receipt.
Miscellaneous
Got some extra materials from a project or craft? Austin Creative Reuse will take those supplies off your hands.
If you’ve got extra pet supplies — think unopened bags of food + treats, newspapers, towels, clean beds or collars, and medications — you an drop them off at Austin Pets Alive! locations, the Austin Animal Center, or the Austin Humane Society.
Living that minimalist life? We Are Blood is always in need of blood donors. Want to donate your time? Check out our guide to volunteering.
We want to know — where do you like to donate in Austin and why? We might include your responses in an upcoming newsletter.