How to donate your stuff in Charlotte
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I lived for four years in an uptown, three-bedroom apartment with a revolving door of lovely, college-friend roommates. Each year when someone moved out, she would inevitably leave a few things behind. For five years total, the group never had to clean out the entire apartment, top to bottom. Until this summer. It was a three-day, dawn-to-dusk event, and I may never fully recover.
I tried to plan ahead. I tried to schedule pickup services for a few big pieces we wanted to donate. We took half a U-Haul full of bags to Goodwill alone. But even the best plans go awry, and somehow I ended up with a mattress, boxspring, and giant old-school TV I needed to find a home for with exactly three hours left on my lease. Luckily, the kind gentlemen facilitating my Habitat for Humanity ReStore pickup had a back-up referral list of organizations who accept donated items. This single piece of paper saved the day more than any of my frantic Google searches.
So, here is their list, plus a few tips of our own. The two biggest lessons? Give plenty of lead time. Nonprofit staffs are often stretched thin, so think weeks ahead, not days, for scheduling pickups. Confirm the individual items. “Appliances” does not necessarily include your old microwave. Check the organization links for more specific guidelines on accepted items.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
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704-392-4495 | www.charlotterestore.org<br/>Pick up and drop off
Appliances, furniture, building materials, home decor, books, cabinets (their team can help deconstruct cabinets and countertops), working lighting, hardware, plumbing supplies, flooring, new windows, miscellaneous items (game tables, boats, jet skis). They cannot accept computers, clothing, mattresses, and appliances older than 10 years.
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Crisis Assistance Ministry
704-522-4978 | www.crisisassistance.org<br/>Pick up and drop off
Clothing, mattresses, furniture, working appliances (no built in appliances), household items. You can also donate the value of a car to a family in need. They will assist with towing and sale. Large donations are accepted at the Furniture Bank, 333 Dalton Ave.
Beds for Kids
980-422-1192 | www.bedsforkids.org<br/>Pick up and drop off
Mattresses, furniture, new pillows and bedding, gently used blankets. They cannot accept king mattresses, sleeper sofas, baby cribs, patio furniture.
Catholic Charities
704-370-3283 | www.ccdoc.org<br/>Pick up and drop off
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Furniture, kitchen items, clean linens, household items. They cannot accept mattresses, cribs, appliances, or electronics.
Salvation Army
704-332-1171 | www.salvationarmycharlotte.org<br/>Pick up and drop off
Clothing, furniture, working appliances (no built in appliances), household items, cars
National Kidney Services
704-393-5780 | www.nkfpickup.com<br/>Pick up and drop off
Clothing, furniture, working appliances (no built in appliances), cars
American Veterans
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704-393-2359 | www.amvetsnc.org<br/>Pick up (1 man pick up) or drop off
Clothing, household items, small electronics, small furniture
Goodwill
704-393-6880 | www.goodwillsp.org<br/>Pick up and drop off
Clothing, furniture, household items, small appliances, sports equipment, toys and games, flat panel TVs, used cars. They cannot accept mattresses.
Jackson Park Ministries
704-392-4981 | www.jacksonpark.org<br/>Pick up and drop off
Clothing, furniture, working appliances (no built in appliances), some building materials
American Kidney Fund
704-566-0405 | www.kidneyfund.org<br/>Pick up and drop off
Clothing, furniture, small working appliances (no built in appliances), computers, electronics, toys
The Grid (operated by Goodwill)
704-916-1655 | www.goodwillsp.org/shop/thegrid<br/>Drop off
Computers, monitors, small fax machines, small copiers, small printers, game systems, computer accessories, video games and accessories
eCycleSecure
855-508-9722 | www.ecyclesecure.com
Recycles electronics such as computers, fax/copy machines, scanners, cords, etc. Some items require a small charge.
JumpStart Charlotte
704-684-5217 | www.jumpstartcharlotte.org<br/>Pick up
Note: This organization is temporarily on hold and not accepting donations. Accepts running and non-running vehicles, and can guide donors through title process, DMV forms, and paperwork.
The First Tee Greater Charlotte
704-348-2515 | www.thefirstteegreatercharlotte.org<br/>Drop off
Gently used golf clubs, golf bags, and golf accessories.
And for those items that just can’t be donated, sold, or recycled…
Mecklenburg County Bulk Trash Pickup (government)
704-336-2673
Large item removal
You can also set this up online here.
Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Management (government)
704-336-5359 | www.wiepoutwaste.com<br/>Paint, stain, hazardous materials, chemicals
Have an organization to add? Send Andrew an email at [email protected].