If you have household items to donate—or are considering a donation—several organizations in the Charleston area may be able to put them to good use. Many local agencies accept clothing, furniture, household goods, shoes, books, and eyeglasses. Read more to learn about these agencies and their donation requirements.
Clothing
- Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach: Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach helps people in need build self-sufficiency and self-esteem through education, wellness programs, and outreach services. Click here for more information and donation guidelines.
- Palmetto Goodwill: Palmetto Goodwill’s mission is to help people improve their lives by providing opportunities, resources, and support that promote greater independence. Click here for more information and donation guidelines.
- Dress for Success Charleston: Through providing professional clothing and employment-retention programs, Dress for Success Charleston helps women achieve self-sufficiency and career success. Click here for more information and for donation guidelines.
Furniture and Household Items
- Sea Island Habitat for Humanity: Based on Johns Island, it builds, rehabilitates, and preserves homes while providing families with training and resources to improve their housing conditions. Click here for more information and for donation guidelines.
- Animal Helpers Re-TAIL Resale store: Proceeds from items in its resale store support the Pet Helpers spay-and-neuter clinic. Click here for more information and for donation guidelines.
- Palmetto Goodwill: Click here for more information and donation guidelines.
Tennis Shoes
- Nike Shoes: As part of Nike’s Move to Zero program, you can bring your old Nike shoes to a Nike store, where they give them a new life through Nike Grind. Click here for more information and donation guidelines.
- DSW Shoe Donation Program: DSW partners with Soles4Souls, allowing customers to drop off new or gently worn shoes at any DSW store. The shoes are then shipped to Soles4Souls warehouses and redistributed to global communities in need. Click here more information and donation guidelines.
Eyeglasses
- Walmart Vision Centers: Lions Clubs International has a partnership with the Walmart Corporation. You can deposit your eyeglasses at any participating Walmart Vision Center, including the Walmart on Folly Rd. on James Island.
- COSTCO: COSTCO has a partnership with Assist International and you can deposit your eyeglasses in the box on the counter in their Optical Center in West Ashley.
- LensCrafters: LensCrafters accepts donations of prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses. The company partners with OneSight to distribute the donations globally to individuals who need them.
- Local Lions clubs: Contact a Lions club in your community to find out if they collect eyeglasses. Use the Club Locator to find a local club near your community. Once you’ve located a club, click the envelope icon to send a message to the club.
Books:
- SIPOA Lakehouse Library: The Lakehouse Library will accept novels and jigsaw puzzles. They will not accept textbooks. Drop off your books at the Lakehouse Library.
- Charleston FRIENDS of the Library: Charleston FRIENDS of the Library is proud to touch the lives of thousands of adults and youths throughout Charleston County by funding programs at the 18 branches of the Charleston County Library. Book donations are accepted at the Citadel Mall. Click here for more information and donation guidelines.
Sheets, Bedding, Towels
- Pet Helpers: Pet Helpers is an adoption center and spay/neuter clinic that serves communities across the Lowcountry. Click here for more information and donation guidelines.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: Adobe stock)