For decades, dropping a few bags at Goodwill has been almost automatic when cleaning out a closet or decluttering the house. Load up the car, pull through the donation line, and feel good knowing your unwanted things might get a second life.
But some longtime donors say they’re changing that habit.
Concerns about rising thrift-store prices, what happens to donated merchandise, and whether there are more direct ways to help people have some donors looking elsewhere.
Instead of giving up on donating altogether, they’re finding alternatives that allow them to feel more connected to where their belongings eventually end up.
Donated Items Can Feel Surprisingly Expensive
One of the biggest reasons people are reconsidering Goodwill is pricing. When shoppers see secondhand clothing, dishes, furniture, and household goods priced close to or occasionally above what similar products cost new, donating there can feel less appealing.
There’s an expectation among some donors that because the merchandise was given to the organization, it should remain affordable for people shopping secondhand. When that doesn’t match what they see on the shelves, they may decide they’d rather give their belongings somewhere else.
People Want Their Things to Go Directly to Someone Who Needs Them
There’s a big difference between donating a coat that will be priced and sold and giving that same coat directly to someone who needs one.
For people who want that more direct connection, shelters, community organizations, recovery programs, and other nonprofits can be more appealing. The idea isn’t necessarily that selling donated goods is bad, but that some donors would rather remove the resale step altogether.
Local Thrift Stores Can Feel More Connected to the Community
Small charity thrift stores are becoming another alternative for people who want to keep their donations close to home.
A local shop might support an animal rescue, church, school, hospice organization, food pantry, or another community program. Knowing exactly what the store supports can make donating feel more personal.
Women’s and Homeless Shelters Can Put Everyday Items to Use
Gently used clothing, coats, shoes, bags, and household essentials may be useful to organizations serving people experiencing homelessness or transitioning into new housing.
The key is checking what a shelter currently accepts before arriving with donations. Smaller organizations often have limited storage and may need very specific items at different times of the year.
Habitat for Humanity Is an Option for Household Items
When you’re clearing out a house rather than simply cleaning out a closet, a Habitat for Humanity ReStore may be worth checking.
Depending on the location, ReStores may accept furniture, appliances, lighting, cabinets, building materials, and other home improvement items. That makes them particularly useful when renovating, moving, or handling an estate cleanout.
Veterans Organizations Offer Another Place to Give
Some donors are choosing organizations that specifically serve veterans and their families.
Clothing, furniture, household necessities, and other usable belongings may be accepted depending on the organization. For donors, there’s also the benefit of knowing they’re supporting a particular community rather than simply adding merchandise to a general resale store.
Hospice Thrift Stores Are Getting More Attention
Hospice organizations and their affiliated thrift stores can be another overlooked option for donations.
Many sell donated merchandise to help support hospice services and programs, although what they accept varies by organization. If you have one locally, it’s worth checking its donation guidelines before automatically heading to a larger thrift chain.
Giving Things Away Online Cuts Out the Middleman
Sometimes the easiest way to know where something is going is to hand it directly to the person who wants it.
Buy Nothing groups, Facebook Marketplace, neighborhood groups, Craigslist, and other community platforms make it possible to offer things for free. A stroller, set of dishes, winter coat, desk, or box of children’s clothing can potentially go straight from your house to someone else’s.
Related: I Hosted a Garage Sale This Weekend—Here’s What I’d Do Differently Next Time
People Want More Control Over Where Their Donations End Up
Ultimately, this may be the biggest shift. People aren’t necessarily becoming less generous or throwing away things they once would have donated. They’re becoming more intentional about where those donations go.
