Where Best to Donate Coats

A church that feeds the homeless? Ours gives out jeans and coats in the winter.

http://www.scheduleapickup.com

takes you to the veterans association. they pick up from your house and it's tax deductible.

Big Brother's Big Sisters have drop off boxes where we live. Also we know of several church thrift stores that sell clothes and one local thrift store run by volunteers that gives their profits to local schools.

Every fall our United Way does a huge coat drive. They have some species drop off sites or we can drop them at one of the Salvation Army stores.

For the graduation gowns I'd check with the high school or college drama department or a local theater group. I had to buy my graduation gown for HS so they might not have any.

Around here, a number of associations pick up - Big Brother/Big Sister is one, the Epilepsy Association is another. I like that they pick up - you just sign up on line and tell them where to collect the items - I use black trash bags or even wine boxes from the liquor store, and leave stuff out by the garage first thing in the morning with a paper with the organization's name on it taped to the boxes. They leave a receipt for you for taxes. They also take books, household items, and other things - the website will tell you what they do and don't accept.

I don't give to the Salvation Army because they discriminate in who they provide services to, but they do have stores and take donations if you like them. Do you have a Savers store near you? They take donations too.

If you know someone in the high school, ask if that teacher or staff member knows a needy family who could use something - I know the head of physical education, for example, and when I found a nice jacket that no longer fit my grown son, I asked if he could give it directly to a kid who was cold. He happily accepted. A lot of schools in poorer areas have clothing drives especially for coats, hats, gloves. If there's an agency that services battered women or the homeless, call them. You won't be given the address of a women's shelter, of course - they have to stay hidden - but there may be an office where you can drop off, or a thrift shop. Also, if they are nice women's coats, search for a Dress for Success program that helps women get back into the work force by giving them appropriate business clothing.

Good luck!

Churches

In our area there is a veterans organization that comes to pick up clothes and furniture.

East Fort Bend Human Needs Ministry in Stafford will be happy to have them. They'll give you a donation receipt if you need one. It's easy to donate there and they make great use of their resources.

I would contact schools with those colors. I would also contact schools and churches to see if there is any need for coats.

Yes, take them to the homeless shelter. Call around and ask churches if they have a clothing room for the needy. We have several in my town. No cost to the person, they come in on certain days and take a few things they need.

The Salvation Army, Goodwill, thrift stores, or some other thrift store are good choices too.

How about a consignment store where they'll be sold and you can make a little cash.

Goodwill
Salvation Army
Both are good.

Salvation Army
Goodwill
Local community outreach that helps families in need
Women's shelter
Churches
Schools

there are tons of great places. goodwill is a great place to start, or any homeless shelter in your town.
i saw a neat article featuring a young woman who collected coats and then hung or strapped or pinned them to lamp posts and bus stops and stop signs in an area where there were a lot of homeless in her community, with notes pinned to them saying 'i am not lost. if you need a coat to keep you warm, take me.'
khairete
S.

Try big brother's big sisters for all of it. If not, try a school in an at risk area.