While performing good deeds are a commendable act, good intentions can sometimes cause much more harm than good. If you are looking to make donations in Houston, check out the guide below to help point you in the right direction.
What to donate in Houston
As a Houston resident, it feels good to donate to your community and those in need. However, decluttering or refurbishing your home can feel frivolous if perfectly good items end up in the trash simply because you wanted newer things. Luckily, many Houston charities are happy to take gently used items off your hands.
We recommend phoning ahead to arrange a convenient drop-off time for yourself and the charity in question. However, keep in mind that some charities are willing and able to arrange collections directly from your home for more oversized items like couches or kitchen appliances. Enquire about clearing away estates and tax-deductible donation receipts. Here is a shortlist of items that are typically welcome:
- Wooden furniture – tables, chairs, bureaus, chest of drawers, nightstands, beds, children’s furniture
- Office furniture – chairs, desks, file cabinets
- Appliances (in working order) – washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, fridges, stoves, microwaves, blenders, coffee makers, kettles
- Clothing – kid’s clothes, wedding dresses, blazers, suits, work clothing, jackets, sweaters
- Musical instruments – guitars, pianos, keyboards, etc.
- Gardening and landscaping equipment
- Kitchen equipment – pots, pans, dishes, tea sets, cutlery sets
- Books – fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books
- Children’s toys
- Clean towels, sheets, blankets
What not to donate in Houston
Although your donated items might be in excellent condition, not every charity is willing or able to accept them. Sometimes a charity may be inundated with one type of item. Moreover, charities have a limited amount of storage space, which makes accepting larger items challenging.
If you are looking for donation centers in Houston, then we recommend you book an appointment. Note that many charities do not accept the following items, so be sure to check first:
- Broken or soiled items
- Mattresses
- Soft furnishings – couches, recliners
- Recalled items
- Car seats
- Magazines and textbooks
- Tires
Donation etiquette in Houston
We love that the people of Houston are so willing to donate to others in their community that need a little extra help. Nevertheless, these acts of kindness are even more appreciated with some extra attention that you may not have considered. If you are looking to donate your items in Houston, please also think about:
- Calling ahead – arrange a convenient time for drop off or to arrange delivery
- Asking – it’s appreciated to ask if the charity requires anything specific
- Clothing – ensure all clothing is clean, smells fresh, and doesn’t have stains or tears
- Furniture – give it a clean and make sure it is safe, functional, and doesn’t have pet hair
- Toys – be sure that all parts and pieces are included
- The time of year – ideally donate bulky winter clothes and jackets in autumn so that they don’t need to be held at the charity for very long
Remember that just because one donation center does not need your items doesn’t necessarily mean that they are worthless to everyone. For example, whereas a Salvation Army or Goodwill might not want stained towels, your local SPCA likely will be happy to receive them. Thank you for checking about how to be a better giver.