The time is upon us when we are changing out drawers of pants for shorts and closets full of sweaters for dresses, tank tops, and t-shirts. The days are longer, the sun is out, and the temperatures are perfect. We are flinging open windows to air out the staleness of winter and welcome in the renewal of spring.
If you are anything like me, this is also the time to start purging my house of everything we no longer need: the clothes I changed out that no longer fit my children; the sweaters I didn’t wear all winter; the toys that aren’t played with; the kid accessories we’ve outgrown. This pile of things to get rid of grows and I know I want to donate many of the items.
If you are like me and have a donation pile ready to go, here are some places you might consider:
Helping Mamas
If you have a lot of kid and baby related items, Helping Mamas is a great place to donate. The organization is committed to providing essential baby and period products to women throughout East Tennessee. They take items such as cribs, blankets, clothes, strollers, toys, and more.
Compassion Closet
Compassion Closet provides quick assistance to foster and kinship families who receive a child and need immediate items. They accept baby gear, toys, car seats, wipeable crib mattresses, and clothing for children and teens. They do not accept housewares, furniture, bikes, used socks or underwear, or stuffed animals. Compassion Closet has multiple locations with varying donation hours. It is helpful to follow them on social media for the most up-to-date needs and hours.
Angelic Ministries
A non-profit, non-denominational ministry, Angelic Ministries provides basic need items at no cost. They are often in need of twin mattresses and box springs and accept donations of linens, clothes, kitchen items, and more.
Magnolia Ministries
Magnolia Ministries serves the women of East Knoxville through its women’s center, programs, and services. They welcome donations of gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Brysonn’s Closet
In Oak Ridge, you can donate gently used items to Brysonn’s Closet which provides low-cost, quality items in its thrift store. Revenue from the store supports six pantries including food, clothing (also stocked from donations), pet supplies, housewares, toiletries, and diapers.
White Elephant Thrift Store
A ministry of St. Mary Parish, the White Elephant Thrift Store in Oak Ridge takes donations of clothing, shoes, housewares, sporting goods, and more, to offer at a low cost. The store supports the surrounding community, youth programs, and the Parish school.
Good Neighbors Shoppe
In Lenoir City, the Good Neighbors Shoppe takes donations of gently used clothes, household items, and furniture. Run by volunteers, the shop’s proceeds support local schools, libraries, and community organizations.
The Thrift Store
Located in the Cedar Bluff area, The Thrift Store is run by Concord United Methodist Church. They accept a wide range of donations, including clothes, tools, CDs and DVDs, toys, games, home decor, and stuffed animals. Profits from the store are used to fund mission projects.
Volunteer Ministry Center
The Volunteer Ministry Center focuses on aiding the unhoused population in Knoxville and seeks to help individuals obtain permanent housing. Some of their programs accept donations of new and gently used items.
Smokey’s Closet
For professional and business casual clothing, shoes, and accessories, consider Smokey’s Closet on the campus of the University of Tennessee. The closet provides these items to students, faculty, and staff to help them prepare for interviews and events.
Knoxville Area Rescue Mission (KARM)
KARM is the most well-known thrift store in our area. They accept donations of clothing, linens, furniture, electronics, and appliances. I recently learned about KARM’s Corner of Your Field program which can allow you to also support area churches and non-profits. For example, I wanted to donate clothing items to the Knoxville Family Justice Center but they do not have space to store donations. However, if I donate items to KARM and tell the cashier my Corner of Your Field organization is the justice center, then they will receive KARM gift cards to help victims in need.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
The ReStore accepts a wide range of donations including electric appliances, lawn equipment, kitchen and bath fixtures, electronic equipment, and furniture. If you have larger items, ReStore will schedule a time to pick them up. Proceeds from the ReStore fund affordable housing solutions for area families.
Young Williams Animal Shelter
For old bedding, towels, and linens, consider donating to an animal shelter. Young Williams Animal Shelter accepts donations at both locations.
If you want to donate to any of these places, remember that items should be gently used. They should be without stains and tears. If you or your child would not wear or use it due to its condition, it should not be donated.
This begs the question: what should I do with items that can’t be donated? I know 85 percent of clothing ends up in landfills. Here are a couple ways to recycle textiles:
Farragut Middle School Clothes Bin
Locally, you can visit the Clothes Bin in the parking lot at Farragut Middle School to recycle old items including clothing, footwear, undergarments, accessories, handbags, and linens. FMS receives money for every pound of material recycled from their box!
Trashie
Home of The Take Back Bag, Trashie recycles clothing and technology. It’s fairly simple: purchase a bag (about $20), fill it with unwanted items, scan the QR code, and drop off at a UPS store. You’ll earn TrashieCash rewards that can be used at a variety of partner retailers.
Where do you pass along your items?
