With spring in full swing, it’s time to say “out with the old.” It’s the season of rebirth, so why not give new life to like-new or gently used items? We’ve rounded up a few San Jose organizations that accept donated items while helping locals in need.
Hope Services accepts donations of clothes, homegoods, and more. | Photo by Autumn Kelley, Hope Services
📦 Large Hauls
If you’ve got a lot to give, like clothing, furniture, appliances, entertainment + toys, these organizations provide reused goods for those in need at affordable prices.
- The Salvation Army , Second Harvest , Martha’s Kitchen , and PARCA accept car donations — to name a few. 🚗
- Donate DAV offers donation pickups for “nearly anything.”
- Bay Area Furniture Bank accepts furniture — like tables, chairs, and dressers. 🪑
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore will take furniture, appliances, tools, lighting + other housing materials. It also offers donation pickups.
🍽️ Kitchenware
- Hope Services accepts gently-used cooking + baking supplies.
🍼 Childcare
- Santa Maria Urban Ministry accepts baby shoes + clothing to provide resources to parents in need.
📎 Office + School Materials
- RAFT is always accepting new materials that can be used in classrooms — like pens, staplers, straws, scrap wood, and more.
The Unicorn Thrift Shop raises money for Uplift Family Services . | Photo via @unicornthriftsj
👕 Clothing
- CityTeam is seeking donations of clothing, diapers + hygiene items for individuals experiencing housing insecurities.
- Sacred Heart Community Service provides quality clothes, shoes, and accessories to families dealing with emergency situations.
- Unicorn Thrift Store accepts clothing, small appliances, and homegoods for resale. 👚 (Thanks Lita K. for this recommendation.)
- Have professional outfits? Donate them to Dress For Success so they can properly distribute clothing to those who are searching for careers.
💻 Technology
- Goodwill of Silicon Valley has technology recycling centers for bigger donations like TVs, printers, and computers.
- If you have usable tech like laptops, smartphones, or digital projectors, the World Computer Exchange collects technology for educational use.
💪 Blood
- Don’t have much to get rid of this year? The American Red Cross is always in need of blood if you are able to donate.