In-Kind Charitable Gifts

I've mentioned before that money is a great thing to donate to charities, as they can use economy of scale and other resources to stretch their dollars further. But plenty of charities accept in-kind donations, and many people prefer to give something tangible.

HOW TO PICK A CHARITY OR CAUSE

There are so many important charitable causes. Which ones you want to donate are up to you: different people have different priorities and different interests close to their hearts. Start with thinking of what group you want to support: the homeless, veterans, nursing home or memory care residents, people with special needs, hospital patients, marginalized or minority groups, abuse survivors, refugees, animals? What sorts of causes are important to you: conservation, disease research, literacy, youth development? 

 

Some of these groups have well-known, established groups. Others might be harder to find charities for. If you can't find a local, national, or global group, you'll need to investigate further. I find that asking schools, craft guilds, shelters, and the government offices that arrange social services are good places to start. For example, the McKinney-Vento Act provides certain guarantees for US public school students in unstable living situations, and a school district's McKinney-Vento liaison may be able to advise you what donations are needed or what organizations support the district's students. 

NEW OR USED?

Some charities are able to accept gently-used donations, especially ones that sell items in second-hand stores. If you're going through your home and find you don't need some of the clothing, household goods, tools, furniture, or other things, there is probably a charity that can accept them if they're in good condition and clean. Donating worn-out items just means the charity needs to spend its time and resources disposing of them. If you're not sure if your item is too used, think about why you're getting rid of it. Is it the wrong size, a duplicate item, a book or sports equipment you've barely touched, something you changed your mind about? Is it something you don't want to be pack for a move simply because it takes up too much room and you can buy another later? Probably fine. Is it torn, frayed, stained, missing parts, or not working right? Probably not (although Goodwill and other places can take worn out clothing to sell to textile recyclers, and pet shelters can often take old blankets or towels to use as animal bedding). Popular charities that accept donations include Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and the Salvation Army. Some will even pick up at your home! Charity shops sell items to support their specific causes; look into what you might be supporting to see what causes are close to your heart.

Other groups must insist on new items. For example, some children's hospital maintain a wishlist of items that can be donated, and due to the fragile health of many patients, it's simply safer to pass on used items. And for reasons I hope are clear, donated underwear should always be brand-new.

Food drives are another example of in-kind donations. Often, you can request a list of greatest needs, which helps the food banks not be overloaded on certain items and low on others: it could be frustrating to have a glut of pasta but no sauces to put on it. Food banks usually are also able to accept diapers, toiletries, pads and tampons, and first aid items. Some can also take kitchen items like plates, cups, cutlery, can openers, and cooking pans and utensils; and some accept toys and cold weather accessories like hats. Expired food and food with damaged packaging (e.g.; dented cans or opened bags) cannot be accepted, and while some food banks can take fresh or frozen fruits, vegetables, and meats or even home-grown food, call first and ask about the food bank's capacity for these non-shelf-stable items.

HANDMADE OR STORE BOUGHT?

If you like to make things, there are many charities happy to accept your creations. Like to knit or crochet? Extreme weather shelters and groups like Joy of Sox and Stand up for Kids are often happy to accept knitted socks, hats, scarves, mittens, and other cold weather gear (store bought items are also welcome). Want to make something bigger? Project Linus collects crocheted, knitted, woven, tied fleece, and sewn blankets to give children in hospitals. There are likely to be many local charities as well. Quilting, knitting, crochet, and other craft guilds are great places to ask for ideas, as are local churches and food banks. You can also look into donating handmade crafts to charity auctions.

Don't have the time, material, skill, or inclination to make something, but still want to give? That's fine too! Around the holiday season, it's common for churches, schools, and other charities to set up Angel Trees or Advent Trees. These allow you to pick the (anonymous) profile of someone in need to buy presents for, which can range from a special toy to new clothing to household appliances, so you can choose what fits your budget and what's on your heart to give. The profiles have information to guide you, like favorite colors, clothing and shoe sizes, and biggest needs and wants. When I was growing up, my parents would have my siblings and me pick profiles for children our age, which made for a fun family tradition. Other groups like Toys for Tots show up around the same time, collecting new items that will be given to those in need. You can also contact schools, churches, community resource centers, homeless shelters, pet shelters, and charities to ask if there's a person or family in need of anything, and purchase from that wishlist.

There are lots of way to help those in need, and lots of items to make or buy. Decide what causes are important to you, and see how you can help.