GIVE IT UP!

Dear Leading Ladies,

We’ve talked a lot about the need for systemic, macro solutions to the problem of poverty in our country and the homelessness, food insecurity, education and health inequities that come with it. Until the causes are dealt with, the problems will continue.

Nonetheless, we can’t ignore the victims of poverty that suffer every day. And so we seek ways to help, particularly during the holiday season.

We did a little research that we hope will help as you choose where and how to give in-kind to those in need.

Clothing

Both children and adults living in poverty need clothes at this and all times of year. Winter coats are particularly in demand. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Bootstraps accept donations of clothes. However, they do not distribute the clothes directly to the needy. They sell them and use the proceeds to support their assistance programs. Not a bad thing, but if you want your gently used, but in excellent condition, clothes to go directly to people in need, consider these options.

Cradles to Crayons identifies families in need and delivers clothes to them. There are donation bins in the Greater Boston area, including at the Y in Marblehead and in parking Lot #28 at Endicott College in Beverly. Cradles to Crayons also has a program that matches donors with a particular family. Donors then create a package of two outfits for that family and send it directly in a bag provided.

Local shelters are often grateful for donations of clothes, as well as blankets, sleeping bags, and even tents, since some of their clients opt to sleep outside in winter. Google homeless shelters to find what is near you and then give them a call. Wellspring House in Gloucester; River House in Beverly, and Seeds of Hope in Salem are a few on the North Shore.

HAWC (Healing Abuse, Working for Change), located in Salem, needs gently used winter coats for their clients, as well as many new clothing and household items.

The Wish Project benefits homeless victims of fire and other disasters. They maintain a list of specific needs. Currently, they are most in need of sneakers, winter boots, and coats for kids of all sizes; adults winter coats and boots; and a variety of furniture and household gifts. They are located in N. Chelmsford, MA.

Room to Grow distributes customized baby bundles to low-income families who also work with clinicians for parenting support and strategies. Though located in Hyde Park, MA, they will send a “Donate by Mail” bag to make helping super easy.

Both Burlington (formerly Burlington Coat Factory) and Jordan's Furniture have coat drives at all their stores through the holidays.

Dress for Success Boston collects workplace clothing for women reentering the job force. Currently, they only want clothes with the tags still on. Write to inventory@dfsboston.org for details.

St. Francis House in Boston accepts gently used clothing to distribute to men and women in need. Their website lists their specific requests and drop off procedures.

Second Chances accepts donations of clothing, shoes, and accessories for homeless and lower-income people to make them “feel confident and valued as they take their first steps toward brighter futures” and to “minimize the amount of apparel going into local landfills.” Collection bins are in the Boston/Somerville/Cambridge area.

Circle of Hope, based in Needham, collects new and gently used clothing for homeless people in various shelters throughout MetroWest. Donors must make an appointment to drop off clothes and are advised to consult donation guidelines.

Toys

Savers, a thrift store to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of New England, is one of the few places that accepts gently loved stuffed animals, as well as clothing and home goods.

Pathways for Children is holding its annual toy drive for economically vulnerable families and children in their Beverly and Salem centers. Drop off unwrapped toys at one of their locations.

The Toys for Tots of old seems to have morphed into a financial-only program with no drop-off locations. Check the website to make a donation.

Food

Bootstraps accepts food donations both at their location in Beverly and at local food markets. While clothing and household donations to Bootstraps are sold in their thrift store, food donations are distributed directly to those who are food insecure.

Other worthy places to donate food are Acorn Food Pantry in Hamilton; Feeding America; Danvers People to People Food Pantry; Greater Boston Food Bank; and Merrimack Valley Food Bank. Of course, they all accept financial donations as well.

What about clothes in poor repair?

The new Massachusetts law says we cannot dispose of textiles in the trash. They must be taken to designated sites where they will be responsibly recycled. Look here to find out where you can take clothes that are not in good enough condition to be sold or given to a person in need.

A for-profit company, Helpsy, collects clothes and other textiles no longer of service to the owner and saves them from the landfill. They have bins from Maryland to New Hampshire, including one in Beverly, and provide pick-ups as well. They also accept clothes in good condition, the sale of which supports their recycling efforts. Find a bin near you on the website.

Furniture

There are several Habitat for Humanity ReStores that accept donations of furniture that they then sell for under-market prices. Proceeds are used to support construction of safe and affordable homes, thus diverting reusable household items and building materials from the landfills. Find your local ReStore.

Salvation Army and Goodwill accept furniture donations as well. Pickups available. As with clothes, they resell them and use profits to support programs for the needy.

HAWC (Healing Abuse, Working for Change) needs some furniture for clients starting over after escaping abusive relationships. Call 978-744-2299 x114 to find out what they need. Pickups are not available.

This list is far from exhaustive and we welcome your additions! We hope, however, that our research reveals some new options to you for sharing your used items with those who can use them well.

Now, back to washing and folding clothes that bring back memories of giggling kiddies with dirty faces and mischief on their minds. May these duds have second lives that make some other mothers smile!

Therese (she/her/hers
Judy (she/her/hers)
Didi (she/her/hers)
Mackenzie (she/her/hers)
Leading Ladies Executive Team
Leadingladiesvote.org
ladies@eadingladiesvote.org