If you’re like me, you have dug through drawers and cleaned out closets while spending more time at home during the pandemic. Now you have bags worth of items you would like to donate.
But are all those organizations closed? Short answer: no. Many have just have adapted how you can contribute.
Keep reading for a roundup of nonprofits in Minnesota who are collecting your goods for a greater good.
Know of an organization not listed? Please let me know by filling out the form at the bottom of this page.
Update, August 2022: This information is subject to change as COVID-19 restrictions evolve. Please double check with the nonprofit you select before loading up your car.
Annadee’s Closet, Red Wing
What they do: provide programs and services to older adults and their caregivers.
Donations accepted: clothing, shoes and boots, jackets, kitchenware, toys, microwaves, holiday decorations, furniture.
Not accepted: list not available online.
Donations are accepted Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, and some Saturdays from 10:00 am-1:00 pm.
The Arc Minnesota/Arc’s Value Village, Bloomington, New Hope and Richfield
What they do: ensure opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to achieve full and satisfying lives.
Donations accepted: vehicles, ATVs, bicycles, bridal gowns, clothing, diapers, DVDs, kitchenware, golf clubs, grocery bags (they reuse them), irons, lamps, musical instruments, sporting goods, toys.
Not accepted: microwaves, large appliances, box springs and mattresses, paint, computers, TVs, VCRs, cribs and car seats.
Donation hours:
Richfield: 10:00 am-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday
Bloomington: 10:00 am-6:00 pm, Monday-Saturday
New Hope: 10:00 am-6:00 pm, 7 days a week
Those who donate are asked to pre-sort items into clothing and housewares. They should be placed in boxes or bags labeled “Arc”.
Bethesda Lutheran Communities, Minnetonka
What they do: a faith-based organization empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Donations accepted: clothing, household goods, linens, small toys, holiday decor, radios.
Not accepted: TVs and stereos, baby cribs, exercise equipment, computers, VHS, box springs and mattresses.
Donation hours are from 10:00 am-5:00 pm Mondays – Fridays and 10:00 am-2:00 pm Saturdays.
Bridging, Bloomington and Roseville
What they do: provide furniture and household goods to families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty.
Donations accepted: bed frames, mattresses and box springs, chairs, dressers, tables, bedding, kitchenware, DVD players, TVs (2008 or newer), vacuums, framed mirrors or artwork.
Not accepted: clothing, toys, computers, sporting goods.
You are drop off at either the Bloomington or Roseville locations with no appointment necessary. They’re open Mondays-Thursdays from 9:00 am-6:00 pm and Fridays-Saturdays from 9:00 am-3:00 pm.
They also offer home driveway/garage pickup for a $125 fee.
Bonus: Bridging offers a great guide as to what nonprofits accept.
Clothes Closet, Wells
What they do: As a service of Open Doors United Methodist Church, Clothes Closet assists those in the greater Wells community, with an emphasis on seniors, children, and those with health difficulties.
Donations accepted: clothing, bedding, kitchenware, books, toys, jewelry.
Not accepted: furniture, TVs, computers, appliances.
Community Helping Hand, Forest Lake
What they do: helping residents of the Forest Lake School District by providing assistance with energy bills, rent, food and more.
Donations accepted: clothing, small furniture, linens, kitchenware, DVDs, small appliances, food.
Not accepted: mattresses and box springs, exercise equipment, luggage, vacuums.
It’s recommended you check their Facebook page to see when they are accepting donations.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
Minnesota nonprofits where kids can volunteer
Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota, home pickup
What they do: fulfilling the promise made men and women who served our country by helping veterans file benefit claims and connect with other veterans organizations.
Donations accepted: clothing, accessories, housewares, toys.
Not accepted: furniture, breakable glass, books, hazardous waste, construction materials, large appliances, automobile parts, food, box springs and mattresses.
You can schedule a home pickup online. Note that their trucks cannot go down alleys.
DAV MN partners with Saver’s Thrift Stores and Unique. You can also drop off your donations at their locations in Apple Valley, Burnsville, Columbia Heights, Coon Rapids, Duluth, New Hope, Saint Cloud, and Woodbury.
Dress for Success Twin Cities, Saint Paul
What they do: Offer career and workplace skills development programs for low income women to help them achieve career advancement, career stability and economic sustainability.
Donations accepted: business suits, blouses, skirts, sweaters, shoes, scarves, handbags, jewelry, scrubs, maternity apparel, hats, gloves, winter jackets.
Not accepted: Men’s clothing, athletic or lounge wear.
Items should not be more than 3 years old.
Dress for Success has quarterly drop-off dates in 2022: February 12, April 23, August 13 and December 3. You can schedule a in-person drop off time on their website.
Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota, home pickup
What they do: offers services for people with epilepsy and seizures across Minnesota and eastern North Dakota.
Donations accepted: irons, bedding, books, clothing, curtains, DVD players, video games, kitchenware, sporting goods, tools.
Not accepted: microwaves, large appliances, bed frames and mattresses, car seats, high chairs, strollers, computers, TVs, furniture, lamps, exercise equipment.
You can currently schedule a pickup. There are also plenty of drop bins around the Twin Cities and around Saint Cloud.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
When adversity hits: how the Epilepsy Foundation of Minnesota helped one family
Family Pathways, multiple locations
What they do: provide healthy food access, domestic and sexual violence prevention, youth programming and more to residents of Forest Lake along with citizens in Carlton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine counties in Minnesota, along with Polk County in Wisconsin.
Donations accepted: accessories, clothing, furniture, shopping bags, small appliances, sporting goods, toys.
Not accepted: bikes, box springs and mattresses, cribs and car seats, microwaves, televisions, vacuums.
Appointments are required for large donations, such as furniture and truckloads that would take more than one person to unload. Otherwise, no appointment is necessary. The donation hours for each store varies.
Free Geek Twin Cities, Minneapolis
What they do: address the problems of The Digital Divide and Electronic Waste in the local community through direct, tangible action.
Donations accepted: computers, laptops, cell phones, iPads, hard drives, working flat screen monitors, routers, cables, keyboards, mice, video games, video game consoles, digital cameras, calculators, VCRs, speakers, boomboxes.
Not accepted: TVs, printers, appliances, batteries, electric toothbrushes, gas powered devices.
Donations are accepted from 12:00-5:00 pm Wednesdays-Sundays.
If you’re looking for treasures, you can shop at Free Geek in-person Wednesdays-Sundays or browse most of their inventory online.
Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota, multiple locations
What they do: provide education, job training and placement services to eliminate barriers to work and independence.
Donations accepted: clothing, battery operated electronics, books, furniture, kitchenware, toys, vehicles.
Not accepted: appliances, computers, some TVs, box springs and mattresses, baby furniture and care seats, exercise equipment.
Find the location nearest you by clicking here.
Hidden Treasures, Saint Anthony
What they do: a faith-based nonprofit serving those in recovery and reentry by providing work, community and hope.
Donations accepted: clothing (keep separate from other items), housewares, jewelry, holiday decor, sporting goods, tools.
Not accepted: list not available online
They’re currently accepting donations Mondays-Saturdays from 10:00 am-6:00 pm. Check their Facebook page to see if they’re accepting donations the day you’re planning to head out.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
Cannon Falls nonprofit repairing cars of Veterans
Hope 4 Youth, Anoka
What they do: provide pathways to end youth homelessness.
Donations accepted: women’s and junior’s clothing, shoes, jewelry, purses, small household decor.
Not accepted: furniture, appliances, dishes, silverware, kitchen items.
Donations are accepted on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9:00 am-12:00 pm.
Interfaith Outreach’s Resale Select, Plymouth
What they do: serve individuals and families in the west metro.
Donations accepted: clothing, shoes, housewares, pre-approved artwork, televisions (with remote), bicycles (summer only), silver plates and metal decor.
Not accepted: large furniture, box springs and mattresses, car seats and cribs, plastic ware.
Donations are accepted on Mondays and Fridays from 10:00 am-5:00 pm. Find their address here. You are asked to remain in your vehicle.
Joseph’s Coat, Saint Paul
What they do: provide free clothing and household goods to low-income families and the homeless.
Donations accepted: clothing, shoes and boots, backpacks, sleeping bags and duffle bags, hygiene products, housewares, paper grocery bags.
Not accepted: food, furniture, TVs, mattresses, computers, clothing more than 5 years old.
You must make an appointment to donate. Call (651) 291-2472 between 9:00 am-3:00 pm Mondays-Thursdays to book. Donations are accepted Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Minnesota Computers for Schools, Minneapolis
What they do: recycle and repair donated computers and repurpose them to provide technology access and skills training to students who need it most.
Donations accepted: computers.
To schedule a pickup, call (612) 383.2400 or email equipmentdonations@mncfs.org
MN Tool Library, Minneapolis and Saint Paul
What they do: a membership program where those enrolled can rent out a large inventory of tools for up to one week.
Donations accepted: most interested in power tools (air compressors, nailers, drills, power washers, tillers, etc), professional grade equipment, hand tools in good condition (screwdrivers, wrenches, clamps, etc). Their wish list can be found here.
Not accepted: tools not in working order, older than 5 years.
They are doing no contact donations. To set up a time, connect with the Minneapolis location at (612) 440-8665 or the Saint Paul location at (651) 644-1882.
Neighbors Inc., South Saint Paul
What they do: provide emergency assistance and essential services programs to low-income community members in the northern Dakota County communities of Inver Grove Heights, South St. Paul, West St. Paul, Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake and Lilydale.
Donations accepted: clothing, accessories, footwear, housewares, bathroom linens, bedding.
Not accepted: basically anything not listed above.
Donations are accepted Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Newgate School, Minneapolis
What they do: offer auto body and auto mechanic training for unemployed or under-employed adults.
Donations accepted: every car, truck and van of any year as long as it is repairable.
Donated vehicles are repaired and then provided to single mothers who need reliable transportation.
An online donation form can be filled out here.
Open Arms of Minnesota, Minneapolis
What they do: prepare and deliver free, medically tailored meals to those living with life-threatening illnesses, including cancer, HIV/AIDS, MS and ALS.
Donations accepted: microwaves, blenders, can openers, gardening supplies.
Not accepted: most food.
Open Arms’ meals are delivered frozen and clients heat them in a microwave. The nonprofit ensures all clients have a functioning microwave to make sure they can enjoy the meals. There are no specific drop off times, however, you can call (612) 872-1152 to alert you’ll be coming.
Also on Give Me The Mike…
How Open Arms prepares and delivers 600,000 free meals every year
PRISM, Golden Valley
What they do: provide food, clothing and housing to those in the northwest metro.
Donations accepted: clothing, blankets, comforters, housewares, small appliances, new toys (unopened).
Not accepted: microwaves, TVs, furniture, bicycles.
Donations are collected Mondays-Fridays from 9:00 am-5:00 pm.
Salvation Army, multiple locations
What they do: from disaster relief to running homeless shelters to services for veterans, seniors, and LGBT youth.
Donations accepted: microwaves, TVs, vehicles, clothing, kitchenware, clothing, computers.
Not accepted: not listed online.
You can schedule a pickup or find the closest drop off location by clicking here.
Sharing and Caring Hands, Minneapolis
What they do: provide food, clothing, shelter, transportation assistance, medical and dental help to over 20,000 each month.
Donations accepted: food, clothing, household items, car seats, strollers, diapers and wipes, toys, TVs, electronics, personal hygiene, vehicles.
Not accepted: furniture.
Drop off Mondays-Thursdays from 8:00 am-3:30 pm, Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00-11:00 am.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Twin Cities, Minneapolis and Saint Paul
What they do: as the largest Catholic lay organization in the world, they alleviate poverty through many of their programs and services by collaborating with other non-profits working to elevate all our neighbors out of poverty.
Donations accepted: clothing, housewares, toys, tools, sporting goods, books, VHS tapes.
Not accepted: large appliances, old golf clubs, skis and ski boots, baby equipment older that 5 years.
Donation hours:
Minneapolis: 10:00 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday, 10:00 am-3:30 pm Saturday
Saint Paul: 9:30 am-4:30 pm Monday-Friday, 9:30 am-2:30 pm Saturday
Someplace Safe, Alexandria and Morris
What they do: provide services to victims and survivors of crime in a nine-county region in West Central Minnesota.
Donations accepted: bedding, clothing, furniture, housewares, sporting goods, clothing, toys.
Not accepted: computers, televisions, large appliances, mattresses, exercise equipment prior to 2005.
Donations are accepted at both locations from 9:00 am-6:00 pm Mondays-Fridays.
Vietnam Veterans of America, home pickup
What they do: serve the needs of all veterans. It is funded without any contribution from any branch of government.
Donations accepted: clothing, shoes, housewares, bicycles, radios, bedding, rugs, small furniture, small appliances, tools, jewelry
Not accepted: list not available online
Serves the following Minnesota counties: Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, Le Sueur, Mille Lacs, Olmstead, Ramsey, Rice, Scott, Sherburne, Stearns, Steele, Washington, Wright.
Schedule your at-home pickup by calling (800) 459-8387.
Not accepting donations as of January 2022
Additional resources
- How to donate stuffed animals from Smart Parent Advice
Know of an organization not listed? Send a message!
Read more stories in Give Me The Mike’s Serve Our Society series
Don’t cut your hair during quarantine. Let it grow…and donate it
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Read how I adapted after losing both parents before I was 25 and being diagnosed with epilepsy.
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Who will take stuffed toys néw/excellent condition in the south metro during Covid (Feb 2021)?
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Do you know of a place that will take worn out clothing and linens? All of my previous drop sites have stopped taking them. I’m talking about stained and hole-ridden things that I would not donate to a second hand store.
Honestly, I would just toss them in a bonfire.
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MN Tool Library accepts donations by appointment. http://www.mntoollibrary.org
Northeast MPLS & Hamline/Midway St. Paul
Seems like a really cool organization!
Salvation Army in Fridley Hwy 65 and Moore Lake Road accepts donations daily during the epidemic.
Their website says that location is temporarily closed.