I don’t make New Years resolutions any longer, but without fail, when the calendar flips to January, I start cleaning and purging my house. This year was no different and now I have four big bags sitting in the trunk of my car waiting to be donated. With the pandemic, donations aren’t quite as easy as they used to be, but there are still some local organizations that are willing to take your decluttered treasures. Make sure you visit their website before showing up, as most do now require an appointment.
Beverly Bootstraps Thrift Shop, 198 Rantoul Street, Beverly – Accepts gently used and in-season clothing, household items and décor, furniture and books. Please drop off your donations in their parking lot only during donation hours of M-F from 10am-4pm and Sat, 10am-3pm. Details at www.beverlybootstraps.org/thrift-shop.
Buy Nothing Project – These town-specific Facebook groups encourage community members to offer new and gently used goods for free to other members, with their motto of, “give where you live.” Find a list of the Massachusetts groups by town here. (Please join only one.) This is my favorite way to get rid of the gently used toys my son has outgrown.
Community Giving Tree, 2 DeBush Ave, Unit 2B, Middleton – Accepts clean, gently used baby equipment and children’s clothing. Also urgently in need of convertible car seats, pull ups and diapers, strollers (not jogging), children’s twin and toddler bedding, new socks and underwear, pack n plays, cribs (manufactured after 2012). More details at www.communitygivingtree.org/donate. Donation appointment required.
Epilepsy Foundation New England – Accepts clothing, shoes, linens, and fashion accessories as donations. Will pick up (curbside) from your home. Or find a donation bin at several area locations. Details at donateclothes.epilepsynewengland.org.
Goodwill – 301 Newbury Street, Danvers – Accepts most gently used goods. Donation hours are Mon-Sat from 10am – 5pm. Drive around to the back of the store for the Donation Center. Goodwill does not accept car seats, playpens, cribs, or large furniture. More details at www.goodwillmass.org.
Mission of Deeds, 6 Chapin Ave Reading – Accepts children’s books, furniture and other household items (only brand new linens during COVID). Donation appointment required. Pick up of furniture also available in some cases. More details at www.missionofdeeds.org/donate.
Project Home Again, 123 Tewksbury Street, Andover – Accepts new and gently-used furniture, small appliances, and household goods. All donations should be in good condition. See the specific list of items currently needed at www.phama.org/donate/donate-goods. Pick up of furniture also available in some cases. Appointments available T-Th from 11am-1pm for donation drop off.
Is this list missing your favorite organization? Email it to me at [email protected].