Whether you are taking advantage of cooler weather to do a deep clean or trying to figure out what to do with all those things that didn’t sell during your neighborhood’s fall garage sale, here is a list of a few amazing organizations that can do some good with your unwanted items. Please note: At the time this list was updated, Hurricane Helene collections were focused primarily on cleaning supplies, storage and personal hygiene and comfort items.
Oldsmar Cares
Oldsmar Cares is an all-volunteer organization that provides rent/mortgage and utility assistance, a food pantry and a clothes closet at no cost to families in need in the Oldsmar area.
What they accept: Donations of new and gently used clothing and shoes for children and adults are always needed, with a special need for children’s and teen sized clothes, and maternity clothes. Children’s books, new toys and bikes are also welcome. They also accept non-perishable, unopened food.
How your donations help: Your donations are what stock Oldsmar Cares Food Pantry and Clothing Closet. Individuals in neighboring zip codes 34677, 34695, 33635, and 33684 can visit the food pantry once a month and the clothing closet twice a month to shop at no cost.
Hurricane Relief: At the time this list was updated, Oldsmar cares was collecting money, select cleaning supplies, plastic bins and select clothing items.
Drop off location: Oldsmar Cares, 149 State Road 580 West, Oldsmar; Mon, Wed, 5:30-7 p.m.; Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat, 9 a.m.-noon.
Learn more: oldsmarcares.org/give-help
Clothes To Kids
Clothes To Kids provides new and quality used clothing to low-income or at-risk school-aged children free of charge, allowing families to shop and select a week’s worth of clothes while being treated with dignity and respect.
What they accept: Kids clothes (4-16), adult clothes (pre-teen and teens, women size 0-22 and men size 18-46), shoes (child 9-adult), bras, belts, purses, backpacks, hats, jewelry, and new (unopened) socks and underwear.
How your donations help: Your donations help stock the racks where students come to shop for free. If items must be discarded, the funds from the textile recycler go towards the purchase of new socks and underwear. Any quality items not suitable for school are made available to family members of the shoppers on the day of their appointment.
Hurricane Relief: They have opened their doors to those impacted by Helene, so your donations will help disaster relief as well.
Drop off location: 5011-H West Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, Mon-Fri, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. There is also a clothing bin for after-hours drop-offs. (Additional locations are available in St. Pete and Clearwater.)
Learn more: clothestokids.org
New Life Warehouse
New Life Warehouse is a faith-based, non-profit organization that helps families start over by providing home items collected from the community. Many of the families they help are caring for foster children, or are victims of trafficking, refugee families, veterans in need or people transitioning out of homelessness,
What they accept: Furniture, as well as select kitchen and bath items, home décor, cleaning items, and flat screen TVs (with feet). For a complete list visit newlifewarehouse.org/what-we-accept.
How your donations help: All items donated help families and individuals who need to make a fresh start.
Drop off location: Donations can be dropped off at New Life Warehouse, located 400 Roberts Road, Oldsmar 34677. M-W, 9 a.m.-noon; second and fourth Saturdays, 10 a.m.-noon. You can also request furniture pick up.
Learn more: newlifewarehouse.org
The Spring of Tampa Bay
This organization provides safe spaces and empowering services to survivors of domestic violence and their children.
What they accept: Personal items like shampoo, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, umbrellas and phone chargers directly benefit residents. They also collect gently used items to sell in their thrift store and boutique, including men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, purses, luggage, furniture, bikes, select strollers, new (unopened) toys, glassware, computers, cell phones, cameras and general housewares and decorative items. Find a complete list of items they do and do not accept at thespring.org/thrift-store-boutique.
How your donations help: 100 percent of the net proceeds from both the Thrift Store and Boutique support services needed to keep survivors and their children safe.
Drop off location: 209 N. Willow Ave, Tampa; Tues-Sat, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Learn more: thespring.org
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County builds and renovates homes in partnership with individuals and families in need of decent affordable, housing. All profits from our ReStore go directly to fund the mission of Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County.
What they accept: Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County ReStores accept donations of new and gently used home improvement items. Donate appliances, building materials, furniture and more. For larger items they offer free pick-up service. Please contact the donation hotline at 813-540-7540.
Drop off location: 8247 N. Florida Ave., Mon through Sat, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Learn more: habitathillsborough.org
Other Items and Where to Donate
Books: Friends of the Maureen B. Gauzza Library accepts gently used books, board games and puzzles. Books can be dropped in the donation drop inside the library lobby. They are then sold at the Gazebo Bookstore at the front of the library and proceeds supports library programs. The bookstore is also a great place to shop for your next read.
Eyeglasses: Safety Harbor Lions Club aids residents of the Safety Harbor area who have a financial need to secure eye exams and eyeglasses. Your gently used eyeglasses can help. Drop your glasses off at one of their donation boxes. Find a complete list of spots at https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/safety_harbor. Many local eye centers also accept old eyeglasses.
Old Towels and Bedding: Humane Society Tampa Bay can take those old towels and blankets off your hands to use for bedding. Drop them at off at their intake department (3607 N. Armenia Ave.) during normal business hours (Mon-Sun 10 a.m.-5 p.m.) or placed in the bins located at their intake garage after hours.
