8 Great Places to Donate Kid’s Items in Charlotte
Where your gently used items can do good
One of the things parents can never truly be prepared for is the constant churn of outgrown clothes, shoes, toys and books. When you muster the energy to purge, here are several places that will benefit from your donations.
Assistance League of Charlotte
704-525-5000
What they take: Toys, clothes, accessories, shoes, books, baby items.
What they cannot take: Baby furniture, cribs, car seats.
How it helps: The all-volunteer organization operates a thrift store where the proceeds fund their philanthropic programs that feed, clothe, mentor and educate children and families in Charlotte.
How to donate: Donations are accepted on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the thrift shop at 5426 Old Pineville Rd.
704-371-3001
What they take: Clothes, comforters, bed linens, kitchenware, personal hygiene products, furniture, appliances.
What they cannot take: High chairs, car seats, strollers, toys, books, computers, electronics, food, medicine.
How it helps: Families in financial crisis that receive services to help move toward self-sufficiency can shop in their Free Store, which is stocked by community donations.
How to donate: Find information on where and when to donate here.
704-372-3434
What they take: Clothes, shoes, accessories, toys, books, sports equipment, bedding, baby furniture, computers, electronics, flat-panel TVs.
What they cannot take: Mattresses and box springs, bed pillows, pianos, car seats, drop-side cribs, recalled items.
How it helps: In addition to providing affordable goods to the community, the revenue from Goodwill stores funds the organization’s job training programs and other services offered to those in need.
How to donate: Find more information on drop-off locations and pickup arrangements here.
704-393-5780
What they take: Clothes, kitchenware, decorative items, furniture, small appliances, books, toys, linens.
How it helps: Supports NKS’ health screening programs, public awareness about kidney disease, patient advocacy programs and research.
How to donate: Find more information on drop-off locations and pickup arrangements here.
704-399-1934
What they take: New and gently used children’s books (ages birth to high school). Their greatest need is books for pre-K through 5th grade.
What they cannot take: Damaged books, school text books, adult books, encyclopedias, magazines, CDs, DVDs.
How it helps: Donated books are shared with children living in Charlotte area “book deserts,” those with few, if any, books at home.
How to donate: More details here.
The Salvation Army Family Store
704-348-2838
What they take: Children’s and adult clothes, shoes, toys, sports equipment, bicycles, appliances, household goods
How it helps: Sales from the Salvation Army thrift stores fund their adult drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.
How to donate: Find a drop off location or arrange a pickup here.
707-910-3970
What they take: Bikes and bike parts including wheels, cranks, brakes, saddles, shoes, bibs, drop bars, aero bars, seat posts.
What they cannot take: Their policy with bikes and bike gear is “dusty, not rusty.”
How it helps: Trips For Kids Charlotte provides cycling experiences for underserved youth. Donated items will be used in the Earn-A-Bike program, or in the Charlotte Re-Cyclery where kids learn mechanics, repair and how to refurbish bicycles.
How to donate: Find a drop off location or arrange a pickup here.
704-288-1826
What they take: New or gently used toys, books, furniture, bedding, linens, clothes, shoes.
How it helps: Turning Point is the only organization in Union County that provides emergency resources to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Donations are sold in their Second Chance Boutiques, providing a significant portion of Turning Point’s operating revenue, allowing them to be less reliant on grants and fundraisers.
How to donate: Find drop off locations or arrange large item pickups here.
