The weather was perfect this weekend for celebrating the first days of Spring! After a year at home we’re more excited than usual for some good Spring Cleaning & de-cluttering. Here are a few local Toronto charities currently accepting donations:

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity accepts donations of a wide variety of new and gently used household items, furniture, appliances, renovation materials etc. They do not accept clothing, mattresses or books. You can drop off to their locations during their open hours, or contact them if you’d like to request a pick up. Items are donated or sold through their ReStore shop, with proceeds directly supporting Habitat for Humanity GTA’s home building projects. Learn more: https://habitatgta.ca/restore/donate-stuff-to-restore/

Salvation Army Thrift Store

They are currently accepting gently used clothing, textiles and small household items to re-sell in Thrift Stores. Proceeds go to Salvation Army work programs, life skill programs, sending kids to summer camp, and fighting poverty. Donor Welcome Centre locations & hours can be found on their site: http://thriftstore.ca/locations/

Yonge Street Mission

The Yonge Street Mission is accepting only specific emergency clothing donation at Double Take which they distribute among partner organizations, a full list and link to book an appointment are on their site: https://www.ysm.ca/emergencyclothing/

Once Upon a Child

Once Upon A Child buys and sells gently used kids’ clothing, shoes, books, toys and baby gear. Store are open (with Covid protocols) - locations and detailed lists of what they buy are on their site: https://www.onceuponachild.com/home

Canadian Diabetes Society

Diabetes Canada will pick up your donations of textiles, electronics, sporting goods, & household items… items need to be in sealed boxes/bags up to 40 lbs and they’ll pick up from your doorstep! Funds raised are invested in diabetes research, used to send kids to Diabetes camps and to support the millions of Canadians with diabetes. Find out more or arrange a pick up: https://declutter.diabetes.ca/pickup

Jessie’s Centre

Jessie’s, aka the June Callwood Centre for Young Women, helps young pregnant and parenting women. They accept donations of new or gently used baby clothes & equipment, clothes for young women including maternity clothes and small household items. Donations are arranged by email: swap@jessiescentre.org

reBOOT Canada

They collect a wide variety of electronic equipment and will provide a certificate of data erasure (for a small fee) if you need. They provide low-cost refurbished computers with licensed software to at-risk youth, seniors, newcomers and community organizations. Donations are being accepted by appointment only - they also have a pick-up service but depending on the size of the donation there may be a fee. Learn more: https://www.rebootcanada.ca/donate/

Books4Families

Novels & children’s books can be donated at Books4Families’ collection boxes, locations on their site: https://www.booksforfamilies.org/our-mission

Red Door Family Shelter

The Red Door Family Shelter assists families, refugees and women who are fleeing violence. They have a specific list of items they’re currently in need of, check their site for updates. Their Moving Program typically accepts furniture but is currently on hold due to Covid-19. Specific items they need and how to donate them is detailed on their site: https://www.reddoorshelter.ca/in-kind