Spring is a great time to get organized and clear out the clutter. But figuring out what to do with those hard-to-give-away items can be challenging. Perhaps they are expensive — think prom dresses and sports gear — or sentimental things like books and stuffed animals – or are past their prime like old shoes or electronics. The following options give you the satisfaction of knowing you made a responsible, clutter-clearing choice that happens to do something good for someone else or the Earth by giving to a local charity or recycling program.
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Here’s a few ideas of where you can donate items after spring cleaning:
Arts & Crafts Supplies
Crazy Crayons
This organization collects broken, worn or loose crayons, then melts them down and turns them into new Eco Star crayons or multicolored crayons shaped like worms. You don’t have to do anything to the crayons! Just collect (any amount), box, and ship them as they are.
Easter Seals Iowa
Easter Seals Iowa is always in need of art and craft supplies. You can donate your arts and crafts supplies that are in good condition and know they will be put to good use. Visit their donations page to find a list of needed items.
Books, DVDs & CDs
Des Moines Public Library
The Des Moines Public Library welcomes your donated books, audio books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines. These items will be sold in library Book Sales and all funds go back to the libraries to enhance programs and services.
Planned Parenthood Book Sale
Donate books and other items at the Jacqueline N. Blank Book Drop, 123 Clark Street in Des Moines. They accept books, magazines (less than 2 years old), tapes, records, CDs, DVDs, games and puzzles. All items MUST be in good condition. Find a full list of accepted items on their website.
Baby Gear
DAV Thrift Store
The DAV’s Thrift Store’s proceeds support programs for disabled veterans. The thrift store accepts donations of baby, infant, and kids clothing and toys, as well as, baby gates, swings, walkers and other baby gear, as long as it hasn’t been damaged or recalled. You can drop-off donations at their 2627 E. University Avenue location or schedule a pick up.
Target’s Car Seat Trade-In
Twice a year, you can bring an old, expired or damaged car seat to Target and recycle it to redeem a coupon on your Target app or Target.com/circle for 20% off one car seat, one stroller or select baby gear. Materials from the old car seats are recycled by Target’s partner, Waste Management.
Electronics
Salvation Army
The organization provides community programs, homeless services, rehabilitation, disaster relief, and other assistance to those in need. They collect donations for their thrift stores and accept electronics if they’re still in working condition. They also make it easy to donate, visit the website for a donation center near you, or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK for free pick up.
Best Buy
The retailer takes back most electronics free of charge at every Best Buy store in the country. (They now charge a fee for TVs and computer monitors). For small electronics they have a donation bin located in the stores and for larger electronics they offer events, and online recycling options.
Musical Instruments
Des Moines Public Schools
Enrollment in band is up at Des Moines Public Schools and that means so is the need for instruments. If you have an old instrument laying around the house consider donating it to DMPS. Instruments can be dropped off at the Des Moines Education Association Office Building, 206 Center Street (across from Wells Fargo Arena), between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
Des Moines Area Music Stores
Contact your local music store or music studio and ask if they accept used instruments. Some do and some don’t. Even if they don’t, they often have relationships with area schools and may be able to connect you with one in need of an instrument. Other groups that might be in need are community bands and theaters, nursing homes, youth and religious organizations.
Prom Dresses
Prom Party
Prom Party is an annual prom drive event established by Lynne Marie Styles, a local stylist in Des Moines, IA and supported by Corinthian Baptist Church. Their mission is to promote self-confidence and individual beauty by providing free prom attire to high school students who cannot otherwise afford them.
The Helping Hand Warren County
The Helping Hand Food and Clothing Pantry of Warren County is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non profit organization. Each winter they accept prom dresses, suits, shoes, jewelery and other prom appropriate accessories that are given away for free to Warren County high school students in need.
Shoes
Fleet Feet
If you have old athletic shoes that are worn out, Fleet Feet might be a donation option. They only accept donations certain times of the year, so watch their Facebook page to see when that is this year. Collected shoes are donated to Central Iowa Shelter and Services.
Soles 4 Souls
The organization has distributed more than 30 million pairs of shoes since it was founded after Hurricane Katrina. Donate shoes by purchasing a mailing label on the website or drop-off at Fitness by Design, one of their local collection sites. Collection bins are located just inside the fitness studio’s lobby.
Stuffed Animals & Toys
The Not New Shop
The Iowa Lutheran Hospital Auxiliary Not New Shop proceeds go to support projects and programs for the hospital. They accept gently used toys. Give them a call or watch their Facebook page to know when they’re accepting donations.
Stuffed Animals for Emergencies
They put gently used stuffed animals into the hands of children and service members who need a little comfort. The organization’s website lists chapters in many parts of the country, and it also offers advice for how to clean stuffed animals in preparation for donation.
Sports Equipment
Des Moines Street Collective
The Collective accepts donations of bikes and old or unused bike parts and tools. Bikes are fixed up in their Maintenance Classes and then are used in a number of ways, including their Earn-A-Bike program, or are sold in their Bike Shop, which is located at 506 East Sixth Street in Des Moines.
Can Play
Can Play brings adapted and no cost recreational programs to our communities by removing barriers to play. They collect slightly used sports equipment, athletic gear and dance costumes at events throughout the year. Give them a call, email or watch their Facebook page for collection dates.
Let us know where you donate or recycle all of your kid clutter!