Clothing is not just a basic necessity; it is a critical resource for survival. People lacking stable housing often face adverse weather conditions, limited access to laundry facilities, and the constant wear and tear of their belongings however, where you donate matters just as much as what you donate.
Donating the clothing you no longer need to trusted organizations benefits both the community and the environment. Whether you are spring cleaning your closet or looking to reduce textile waste, giving away the garments you do not use ensures that they help those who need them most.
Best Place to Donate Clothes for Homeless
Goodwill Industries
To donate clothing to Goodwill Industries, you can drop off items at a local retail store or donation center, or use a donation bin for smaller items. Your donations are sold in stores to fund local job training and community programs; however, some items may be distributed directly to people in need through voucher programs.
How to Donate
Find a Location: Use the official Goodwill locator to find the nearest donation center or retail store.
Prepare Your Items: Ensure that clothing is clean, dry, and in sellable condition.
- Accepted Items: Most clothing, footwear, jewelry, and accessories that have seen moderate use.
- Items Not Accepted: Items with stains, tears, mold, or odors.
Drop-off: Follow on-site signage to the designated donation area (often located on the side or back of the building). Staff may be available to assist you in unloading your vehicle.
Get a Receipt: Ask the attendant for a tax-deductible receipt before you leave.
Pickup Options: While most local Goodwill organizations do not offer free home pickup services for small clothing donations, some partners—such as ReSupply—offer priority pickup services for a fee. You can check for availability by visiting the regional Goodwill website corresponding to your area.
GreenDrop
To donate clothing to GreenDrop, you can schedule a home pickup or visit one of their drop-off locations—whether staffed or self-service. GreenDrop is a professional, for-profit fundraising organization that collects items on behalf of partner non-profit organizations, such as the American Red Cross, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. GreenDrop pays these organizations for the collected items, thereby helping them fund their local programs.
How to Donate
Schedule a Home Pickup: Visit the GreenDrop pickup scheduler or call 888-944-3767.
Packaging: Place items in plastic bags or boxes; each package must weigh less than 50 pounds (approx. 22.7 kg).
Labeling: Clearly mark each container with the inscription: “Donations for [Nonprofit Organization Name].”
Pickup Location: Leave items in a visible spot by the roadside before 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled day.
Find a Drop-off Location: Use the GreenDrop location finder to view nearby sites. Many locations remain open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Get Your Receipt: After making your donation, you can download a tax receipt from their website using your donation details.
Accepted Items
- Clothing and Accessories: Garments, footwear, handbags, and jewelry in good condition (gently used).
- Household Items: Bedding, blankets, kitchenware, toys, and small appliances.
Prohibited Items: Generally, they do not accept large furniture, tube televisions, or hazardous materials.
The Salvation Army
You can donate clothing to The Salvation Army by dropping it off at one of their local stores (Family Stores), depositing it in a donation bin, or scheduling a free home pickup. Your donations help fund Adult Rehabilitation Centers, which provide support to individuals struggling with substance abuse.
Ways to Donate
In-Person Drop-off: You can take your items to the nearest Family Store or donation center. Most centers operate Monday through Saturday; however, hours vary by location, so it is recommended that you call ahead.
Free Pickup: For larger quantities or furniture, you can schedule a pickup online at SATruck.org or by calling 1-800-SA-TRUCK (1-800-728-7825). Please note that pickups are typically scheduled 7 to 14 days in advance.
Donation Bins: Smaller clothing donations may be deposited in marked Salvation Army bins located in many parking lots.
Tips: Items should be clean and in good condition. Please avoid donating clothing with rips, stains, or missing buttons.
Tax Receipt: If you drop off items at a staffed center, remember to request a tax-deductible receipt. You can also download a receipt for items that were picked up or deposited in donation bins. To estimate your tax deduction, you can consult the Salvation Army’s Valuation Guide for common items such as shirts, coats, and shoes.
Dress for Success
To donate to Dress for Success, you must provide professional, “work-ready” attire suitable for a job interview. Since each location is an independent non-profit organization, policies regarding drop-off hours and accepted items vary by affiliate.
What to Donate: Contemporary professional clothing for women, including suits, blazers, blouses, trousers, skirts, and dresses.
Item Condition: Items must be clean, laundered (either at home or professionally dry-cleaned), and free of stains or rips. Many locations require items to be “ready to wear.”
Accepted Items: Professional footwear (especially sizes 9 and up), handbags, jewelry, and unopened personal care items or cosmetics are frequently accepted.
Items Not Accepted: Casual wear (jeans, T-shirts), evening wear or formal attire, men’s clothing, or children’s clothing.
Note: Generally, clothing should be no more than five years old to ensure it is current and appropriate for modern professional environments.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
To donate clothing to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Albuquerque, you can drop off items directly at their thrift store or schedule a pickup for larger loads. Your donations are sold to fund local assistance programs or given directly to neighbors in need.
Scheduling Pickups – Standard Pickups: St. Vincent de Paul in Albuquerque partners with ReSupply, a veteran-owned service that picks up household items and furniture.
Contact: You can book a pickup by calling (269) 256-1040 or by visiting the SVdP Santa Fe/ABQ donation page.
Accepted Items
Clothing: Clothing in good condition (gently used) for men, women, and children. Accessories: Shoes, handbags, belts, hats, and scarves.
Guidelines: Items must be clean, dry, and in good condition. Generally, they do not accept items that are torn, stained, or damaged.
One Warm Coat
To donate to One Warm Coat, you can drop off gently used outerwear at a registered local partner or organize your own coat drive. One Warm Coat does not collect coats directly; instead, they facilitate a network of over 1,500 partner non-profit organizations nationwide that distribute coats free of charge to those in need.
How to Donate
Find a Drop-off Location: Use One Warm Coat’s Non-profit Locator Map to find a partner agency near you.
Note: It is recommended that you call the agency first to ensure they are currently accepting donations and to confirm their drop-off hours.
Ensure Items Are Usable: Donate only coats that are clean and in good condition (no tears, stains, or broken zippers). If a coat is not usable, please recycle it through a textile recycling program.
No Local Partners? If you cannot find a registered partner on the map, you may donate to any local nonprofit organization (such as a food bank or homeless shelter) that agrees to distribute the coats free of charge and without discrimination.
Accepted Items
Outerwear: Coats, jackets, and other warm outerwear—new or in good condition—for men, women, and children.
Prohibited Items: Most partners do not accept casual clothing (such as T-shirts or jeans) through this specific program, as the primary focus is protection against the winter cold.
Savers
Savers opened its first thrift store in 1954 and has since opened locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia. The organization partners with local nonprofits and accepts donations of clothing and household items on their behalf; in exchange, it pays them for these items, thereby helping to fund programs in local communities. Visit the Savers website to find a donation center in your area.
Soles4Souls
To donate clothing or footwear to Soles4Souls, you can use their free shipping program, drop off items at a partner retail store, or look for a local community donation bin. Your donations help provide assistance during crisis situations and support micro-enterprise programs that create jobs in developing countries.
How to Donate
Free Shipping via Zappos for Good: This is the most convenient way to donate up to 50 pounds (approx. 22.6 kg) of items at a time.
Pack Your Box: Fill any sturdy cardboard box with gently used footwear or clothing in good condition (maximum 50 pounds).
Print a Free Label: Log in to your account at Zappos for Good to generate and print a prepaid UPS shipping label.
Ship It: Affix the label to the box and drop it off at any UPS Store location.
For larger-volume donations, or to find a local “orange box” donation bin, use the Soles4Souls locator tool.
Career Gear
To donate to Career Gear, you can provide professional men’s attire to help individuals entering or re-entering the workforce. Career Gear is a social enterprise that outfits men for job interviews and provides them with tools for professional development.
Donation drop-offs are accepted at their offices on specific dates designated each month. Call (212) 577-6190 or visit careergear.org to find out the next scheduled drop-off date.
Donation Tips
Prioritize Essentials: Coats, socks, sturdy footwear, and underwear are the most requested items.
Condition Matters: Donate only clean, gently used items in good condition.
Consider the Season: Tailor your donations to current weather-related needs.
Pair with Hygiene Items: Including personal care products alongside clothing creates a greater impact.
Summury
If you want your clothing donations to directly benefit people experiencing homelessness, start by contacting local shelters, soup kitchens, and social assistance programs in your area. For greater convenience and national coverage, Hearts for the Homeless donation bins are an excellent option. National charities, such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army, continue to play an important role; however, their model focuses more on funding through the resale of items than on the direct distribution of clothing.
