Donating in DC: Easy Ways to Give

A few years ago, I took bags of stuff to the donation drop-off boxes at 18th and California St. NW (shown here) and had a surprising interaction. The charity specifically requests clothing and I had nervously included things like old earphones and worn-out throw pillows. At the drop site, several homeless people asked if they could go through my bags before I put them in the donation boxes. They were thrilled to take my old earphones, mismatched pillows, and clothing. It was startling but wonderful to see my discarded items fought over and immediately put to use by people who needed them. So below are suggestions for donating items you may have and not need to local charities...

- Art schools like the Washington Studio School in Dupont Circle will gladly take your chipped dishes and other damaged household items, which are great for use in still lifes.
- Old towels, linen, blankets, and pet-related items can always be used by animal rescue organizations, like the Washington Humane Society and the Washington Animal Rescue League.
- The Smithsonian National Zoo will take used household tools (drills, hammers, etc.) and used or new nightlights, mirrors, and other items.
- Donate non-perishable food items to the Capitol Area Food Bank and Miriam's Kitchen.
- Christ House will put your old CD's and musical instruments to good use for ill patients.
- The DC Coalition of the Homeless will pick up your old sofas, beds, and dressers.

Do you recommend any specific charities? Have you had any nice volunteer or donating experiences you'd like to share?
See more needed items for local DC charities by clicking here.
Photos from Penn Quarter Living.

Comments (8)

If only these kinds of "drop off bins" didn't look like humungo trash cans, than maybe people would have less of a stigma or stop stereotyping those who purchase second hand clothes.

posted by nickel525 on December 19th 2008 at 4:52pm
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i see a design opportunity--maybe AT'ers could redesign those big bins.

uh, an organization in DC called "food for all" gives food to anyone without qualification, and all their beneficiaries need help. they deliver, or used to, and need all the help they can get. hunger is a huge issue in DC, a dirty little not-so-secret.
so is health, and Christ House delivers critically needed medical care to those who would never otherwis get it.

area hospitals have foundations that provide for the insurance-challenged. maybe they could use donations.

finally, there is a bird sanctuary in the dc area called Phoenix Landing that does good work.

posted by avianmission on December 19th 2008 at 5:02pm
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also, charter schools, such as the booker t. washington school for the building arts, really need stuff like modern furniture, tables, filing cabinets, backpacks, supplies, money, etc.

posted by avianmission on December 19th 2008 at 5:04pm
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I started a non profit in Kansas City that collects gently used backpacks, duffelbags, toys, books, etc. and repackages them into age appropriate care packages that are distributed to local kids living in foster care. www.givewhatyougot.org

posted by AngiH on December 19th 2008 at 5:21pm
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a recent news-expose noted that the green bins in the SFbay area are run by a shady non-profit and the "donation" does not benefit any charity other than the sponsor organization... a spotty recollection, i know, but it was solid investigation -- i do remember that. i seem to remember the organization was in the north-central area (redding-ish) on a huge compound. moreover, the volunteers were recruited from other countries/areas and signed contracts that locked them into a sort of indentured servitude. all in all, the net-result was that it prompted me to actually hand these donations to an actual person at an actual charity that i support. presently, it's "out of the closet" and "the hospice shop of concord"...

here's a link to a similar new story: http://www.clothingbincult.com/

posted by redneckmodern on December 19th 2008 at 6:54pm
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how/why does the zoo go through so many tools?

posted by chambrey on December 19th 2008 at 8:46pm
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Never mind the tools-- why do they need night lights and mirrors?

posted by shirley-temple-of-doom on December 19th 2008 at 10:49pm
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I don't know about the Smithsonian National Zoo, but I know here in St. Louis, our zoo is always requesting various things that they can use as toys for the animals or to help create stimulating environments -- they call it "animal enrichment." Here's their "animal wish list" -- http://www.stlzoo.org/supportthezoo/zooparentsprogram/animalwishlist.htm

posted by stlellen on December 22nd 2008 at 2:51pm
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