January is a time a lot of us try to take our house back. Whether it’s the chaos of the holiday clutter or wanting to start the New Year off on the right foot or some combination of the two, we’re all itching to clean out the house and make way for a new year. While local thrift stores can be a great place to donate, sometimes you might have random things that you don’t feel like will belong in a thrift store or you want to make sure the items will actually find a new home. In this article, we’ll go over some other local options for donating your excess stuff.
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Called to Care
Called to Care, an organization that helps foster children and their families, both biological and foster/adoptive, can often use donations of gently used kids’ clothes and shoes. Additionally, if you have Bibles or unopened toiletries, they’re a great place to take those. This, along with new underclothes and pajamas are included in their “Journey Bags” for children coming into foster care. In the past, I have also donated duplicate Christmas or birthday gifts that were unopened and child appropriate. They will also occasionally put out calls for things like car seats, cribs, beds, or other items. This is a great organization to support if you’re looking to get rid of certain things but because they have limited space and may have specific needs, it’s always a good idea to call them (229-848-4724) or message their Facebook page to make sure what you are wanting to donate is something they need or want.
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Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House
Ruth’s Cottage and The Patticake House is our local domestic violence shelter, and contrary to popular belief, they serve both men and women and their families. Because the families who seek shelter there often leave quickly, they can arrive with very little and may need changes of clothes, toiletries, pajamas, underclothes, and more. Additionally, people moving out of shelter often don’t have much in the way of furniture or household items, so they can sometimes take donations of those type as well. Anything you donate should be something you would consider using for yourself or your family, and with things like pajamas, underclothes, and toiletries, they want them new/unopened. They may also occasionally take donations of gently used toys for The Patticake House or the playroom at their shelter. As with Called to Care, they have limited space to store many of these items, so it’s always a good idea to call (229-387-9697) and make sure they can use it and have space for it.
House of Hope
Tiftarea House of Hope is a transitional shelter for women experiencing homelessness, and they can occasionally use gently used women’s and children’s clothing as well as unopened toiletries. Additionally, like Ruth’s Cottage, some residents may need furniture and other household items when it’s time to move out, so you can call 229-396-5990 to learn more about what their needs are and what they have space for.
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LIFEHouse
LIFEHouse Parenting Center & Clinic is an organization for individuals and families that offers pregnancy testing and confirmation, education, resources, and in-person advocacy. They are a great place to donate maternity clothes, breast pumps, baby clothes, diapers, and other items for moms/babies. Like all the other organizations listed above, they are likely limited on space, so it’s a good idea to call them (229-382-4491) to make sure they can take what you have.
Little Free Libraries/ The Library
If you have books you’re looking to declutter, consider taking them to a local little free library or our actual library in downtown Tifton. Additionally, the downtown library can also take donations of DVDs and art supplies (pencils, crayons, glue sticks, child scissors, washable paint, etc.) for their children’s department. The library also recently started a clothes closet for the community as well, so you can even drop off your used clothes in good condition.
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Food Pantries
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have random unopened food items that we just don’t use, and when the new year starts, I’m ready to get rid of all the excess stuff, even in the pantry. There is a little free pantry (as well as a pet pantry) at Espresso 41 under the shelter that makes a great place to drop that stuff off. Just make sure it’s unopened and in date. If it’s already opened or expired, it might be better just to throw it away.
Buy Nothing Tifton
If you have items that you want to get rid of that have not already been listed, or you just have a lot that you want to get rid of all at once, try the Buy Nothing Tifton group. While you can post individual items, if you have a lot you’re looking to get rid of, you could take a picture of it all and put it on your front porch or driveway (in good weather) and tell people it’s first come first served. Whatever is left after a certain point can be trashed or donated depending on what it is.
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