Last week we offered some advice about various annuals, perennials, shrubs and trees that tend to do well across Delaware, but since it’s still too cold to do much planting I’m thinking about another ritual that comes around this time of year: Spring Decluttering.
I always get a good feeling from decluttering because it makes our home feel cleaner and calmer – with less stuff to dust and less time rummaging through clothes I no longer wear to find something I do want to wear. The feeling is even better when you’re able to donate clothes and other household items that are in good, clean shape to folks who can get a lot more life out of them.
With that in mind, I’ve asked around for locals’ favorite places to donate. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Up north around Wilmington
DonationTown is a national organization with a solid presence in Wilmington and its suburbs. It’s an easy way to donate clothes and other items to the charities of your choice since the organization will pick them up at your home. Just go to the Web site and type in your zip code and you’ll get a list of charities that will do the pick-up. In general you can donate clothes, books, furniture, toys and household items.
Dover, Milford, Kent County
The Salvation Army has a broad presence in the middle of the state, and a long track record of success in providing all kinds of support to all kinds of people. The organization has gotten some negative buzz in the past for anecdotal evidence of LGBTQ discrimination but has been very proactive in recent years in saying it doesn’t discriminate and in-fact has all kinds of unique initiatives to support various types of people in need. You’ve got a good incentive to donate clothes and other items in good condition because they are then sold at very, very low prices at the organization’s Thrift Stores. You can drop items off or schedule a pick up at your home.
Goodwill is another great place to donate because it uses proceeds from the sale of donated items for a robust series of job training programs and for helping employers hire well-qualified people who need good jobs. They’ve got a good presence in the middle of the state and will accept your donations when you drop them off at their various stores or by scheduling a pickup at your home.
Sussex County – the beaches and westward
The Shepherd’s Office in Georgetown consistently gets great reviews from people who are familiar with its efforts to provide food, clothing and other essential items to people who are homeless. And unfortunately homelessness is a tremendous problem in Sussex County due to the cost of housing, particularly near the beaches, which is where the major employment centers are. It’s an all-volunteer organization that accepts food and financial donations and a good spot if you prefer to donate to a Christian and Bible-focused organization.
The New Life Thrift Store is a good place to donate if you want to support various programs, including those that support struggling moms and kids, shelters for homeless people, and food assistance efforts, all coordinated through the Lewes Rehoboth Association of Churches (LRAC). Make sure you visit the Web site to see what items they’ll accept, since the items are sold at its store and therefore need to be in good, clean condition. It’s located behind Jiffy Lube on Route one.
American Veterans Thrift Store is another well regarded way to donate clothing, furniture, artwork and other household items. They have locations in Lewes and Rehoboth and will also schedule pick-ups at your home.
The All Saints Parish Thrift Shop is a good place to donate if you live near the south end of Rehoboth or closer to Dewey or Bethany. They accept donations Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at their Rehoboth Beach Plaza store, and welcome clean clothes, furniture and household items.
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