Tidy Up the Home - And Then Donate Your Stuff to Albany Area Organizations
If you've read Marie Kondo's book or seen her show, you've likely been inspired to give your own home a once-over, dividing everything you own into "keep," "toss," or "donate" piles. But have you made a plan yet for where the "donate" items are going? We're here to help you out!
We asked our loyal Albany.com Facebook fans for where they've been donating their stuff in the Albany area and we've rounded up the results to make your home cleaning and organization a bit easier. And, bonus - your unused or unwanted stuff will be going to great homes, instead of to a landfill.
Please check out the details of each organization before bringing donation items over. Each place has specific rules on what they can accept and when.
Dress for Success - Albany
Where it is: 333 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
What they accept: women's business attire and accessories
Additional Details
Dress for Success accepts women's work clothes that are freshly dry-cleaned/laundered, ironed, and on hangers. They cannot accept items in bags or boxes, items that are more than five years old, or items that are not professional clothing.
Clothing accepted includes: interview appropriate suits; interview appropriate blouses; professional separates including blouses, slacks, skirts, dresses, blazers, and jackets; work appropriate shoes; jewelry and scarves; work appropriate handbags.
Call for donation days and hours at 518.463.3175.
About the Organization
Dress for Success empowers women to be their best, to achieve financial independence and stability, and to be treated with dignity and respect. They strive to offer long-lasting solutions to enable women to break the cycle of poverty.
Editor's Note 2/23/23: Dress for Success's clothing donations are on pause through March 2023. Please visit their website at https://albany.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/ for updates.
Bethel Thrift Store
Where it is: 1400 Altamont Avenue #8, Schenectady, NY 12303
What they accept: clothing, household items, kids books
Additional Details
They accept all clothing items except undergarments (unless new), all types of household items, and kids books; they do not accept adult books, DVDs, or CDs. For large household items, they ask you call ahead to ensure they have room. They're at 518.631.9073.
About the Organization
The Bethel Thrift Store is a ministry of Bethel Full Gospel Church. It's a volunteer-driven organization that provides low cost, good quality clothing, shoes, kitchenware, and various household items to everyone who steps through the door. The profit from the store is returned to the community through various organizations and ministries.
Blessed Sacrament Parish
Where it is: 607 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
What they accept: clothing and houswares
Additional Details
They accept clothing and housewares in good condition on Tuesday and Friday from 9am to 12pm. The Thrift Store operates every Saturday from 9am to 12pm. They also have a food pantry open on Monday and Thursday from 10am to 11:30am except holidays or days in which schools may be closed due to weather conditions.
About the Organization
Blessed Sacrament Parish runs the Parish Thrift Store to provide a place for families in the area to purchase clothes, shoes, boots, coats, dishware, glassware, lamps, books, and more at very reasonable prices. If you're interested in helping further, they need volunteers to help sort, organize, and prepare the items during the thrift store hours.
Blessingdales
Where it is: 2484 Route 9W, Ravena, NY 12143
What they accept: furniture
Additional Details
Items must be usable, in good condition, pet-free, with no rips or holes. They do not take used mattresses, boxsprings, or clothing.
About the Organization
Blessingdales is run by the Capital City Rescue Mission, a nonprofit in Albany that operates outreach services, recovery programs, and more. They provide food, clothing, shelter, and meals for those in need.
Grassroot Givers
Where they are: 522 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12203
What they accept: clothing, dishware, books, bedding, personal care
Additional Details
Grassroot Givers is currently looking for: new or like-new children's books, casual seasonal clothing, dish sets, pots, pans, kitchen appliances, linens and bedding, personal care items, etc. Donations are accepted Monday through Thursday from 9am to 2pm by appointment. Call 518.599.5157 to make an appointment.
Any questions can be emailed to info@grassrootgivers.org.
About the Organization
Grassroot Givers work closely with agencies to provide clients with dishware, small appliances, and linens to support families moving into new housing.
GreatFinds Thrift Boutique
Where it is: 260 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
What they accept: women's casual and professional clothing and accessories in good condition
Additional Details
You can donate to GreatFinds during their hours of operation, Monday through Friday, 12pm to 5pm. You can also call ahead for an appointment at 518.449.7715; they're open during 1st Friday from 12pm to 5pm on the first Friday of the month.
About the Organization
GreatFinds is owned and operated by Equinox, and is a vocational training center for individuals who want to enter or re-enter the workforce.
The Habitat ReStore
Where it is: 71 Fuller Road, Albany, NY 12205
What they accept: furniture, home goods
Additional Details
The Habitat ReStore accepts new and used building materials, furniture, appliances, lighting fixtures, and other home goods. You can find more detailed donation guidelines on their website. They sell these items in their stores to raise money for home-building projects.
You can donate items at their ReStore location on Fuller Road; this is a separate location from their administrative offices on Sheridan Avenue.
About the Organization
The Habitat ReStore is run by Habitat for Humanity, which works to provide families in need with an affordable home of their own.
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless
Where it is: 176 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY 12210
What they accept: seasonally appropriate clothing, furniture, household items
Additional Details
Donation drop offs can be made Monday through Friday, 9:30am to 4:30pm. Fall and winter clothing is accepted from September through March; spring and summer clothing is accepted from April to August. Donated items must be clean with no rips, stains, or holes, and clothing must be separated from other household items you may be donating (linens may be combined with clothing).
They do not accept used underwear (socks and bras are okay), sports equipment, formal wear, clothing that must be dry cleaned, pet care items, or out-of-season clothing.
Please call ahead to donate furniture items to 518.434.8021, extension 115. Furniture donations are accepted based on current space availability. Pick ups are available within a 10-mile radius on the fourth Thursday of the month. They cannot accept children's furniture or decorative (non-essential) furniture.
Household items should be functional and in good working condition. They cannot accept headboards, China sets, luggage, sewing machines, computer monitors, exercise or sporting equipment, mowers or gardening equipment, small and decorative items, specialized books, or large children's toys. They love to accept sheets and blankets, pillows, dish sets and silverware, and small appliances.
About the Organization
Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless goes by the motto "homeless, not helpless." They work to build stronger communities and empower individuals and families who are facing homelessness. The household items you donate will go towards guests moving into their very own apartments.
Mary's Corner
Where it is: Basement of Cohoes Public Library, 169 Mohawk Street #2, Cohoes, NY 12047
What they accept: clothing and toys for babies and toddlers up to age three, diapers, formula
Additional Information
Mary's Corner is open Tuesday and Thursday, 10am to 12pm. They serve families with children from birth through three years of age, and the program is available to residents of Cohoes, Green Island, Watervliet, and Waterford.
Call organizer Ellen Bernier to find out more about how to donate at 518.573.6325.
About the Organization
Mary's Corner is operated by the Ladies of Charity. They are also looking for volunteers to read and play with the children during the hours Mary's Corner is open.
RISSE
Where they are: 715 Morris Street, Albany, NY 12208
What they accept: clothing, household goods, furniture
Additional Details
They accept dishes, umbrellas, winter clothes, children’s clothes, shoes, socks, school supplies, household goods, blankets, sheets, small appliances rugs, small toys, and kitchen goods. They also accept soap, shampoo, fresh produce, and canned food.
They do accept but ask you to call ahead before donating: large furniture, TVs or appliances, chairs, mattresses, books, collections of any sort, computers, high value items, large toys or games, or anything that would be too big to take home on a bus.
They do not accept: puzzles, old tube TVs, old printers, non-working appliances, ripped or torn clothing or blankets, and collections of books.
RISSE is located in Emmaus United Methodist Church.
Phone numbers: 518.621.1041, 518.567.4354, 518.505.1737.
About the Organization
RISSE is a family-based center that supports newcomers in building sustainable lives in the US. They equip refugees and recent immigrants with life skills, literacy instruction, and more.
Salvation Army
Where they are: 452 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12206; 20 South Ferry Street, Albany, NY 12202; 2145 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205
What they accept: clothing, furniture, automobiles, household goods, appliances
Additional Details
Please call ahead before bringing items to the Salvation Army - they have been inundated with donations thanks to Marie Kondo and at times must turn people away; they also have strict regulations on what they can or cannot accept.
Clinton Avenue: 518.465.2416
South Ferry Street: 518.463.6678
Central Avenue: 518.346.0205
About the Organization
The Salvation Army is an international organization that is part of the Christian Church. They have a rich history of helping people in need around the globe.
Things of My Very Own
Where they are: 249 Green Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
What they accept: clothing, bedding, strollers
Additional Details
Drop off donation hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, 9am to 12:00pm.
They have asked for clothing and coats in any size - new or like-new condition, baby clothing, strollers in new or like-new condition, sneakers and winter boots, bedding, and Pack 'n Plays. They will accept mattresses, toiletries, toys, cribs, and undergarments, but they must be new.
About the Organization
Things of My Very Own provides crisis intervention services to children impacted by extensive abuse and/or neglect. Transitional Assistance is available on a referral basis with packages that generally include clothing, bedding, hygiene products, emergency food and medical supplies, and school supplies.
Troy Area United Ministries
Where it is: 392 2nd Street, Troy, NY 12180
What they accept: furniture and computers
Additional Details
Furniture is accepted through The Furniture Program. They are in desperate need of beds of any size, dressers, tables, and chairs. To donate good, used furniture please contact Tyara Burnett at 518.274.5920, extension 204.
They also have a Computers for Kids/Computer Ministry Program and are in need of computers. To donate a computer call their office at 518.274.5920.
About the Organization
Troy Area United Ministries provides a safe space for those in need, offering meals, HIV/AIDS services, furniture, education, spiritual counseling, and advocacy.
Unity House (ReStyle)
Where it is: 2431 Sixth Avenue, Troy, NY 12180
What they accept: clothing (in season, clean, boxed or bagged); shoes; purses, handbags and clean tote bags; linens (sheets, pillowcases, blankets, new pillows); towels and washcloths; jewelry; books for kids and adults
Additional Details
Donation drop off hours are Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm. They're happy to take gently used items, but can only accept the same quality they have in their store. Please call ahead beforehand. They're at 518.274.2607.
About the Organization
Unity House's thrift store ReStyle offers new and used clothing and a variety of household items to those in need at affordable prices. The Unity House as a whole provides a wide range of services to individuals in the community who are hurting and struggling.