Your pile of unwanted clothing, sports equipment, arts and crafts projects, household goods, baby gear, toys, and old electronics can bring great joy to someone who really needs them. We even know a place that wants all your books! The list is certainly not a comprehensive list of every organization that will take donations in the Baltimore Metro area, but we tried to include some that you may not be familiar with.
We have listed current hours, and donation policies, but COVID rules tend to cause changes, so definitely call them or check their websites and Facebook pages for the most up-to-date information on their hours of operation, and donation open hours.
And if you want to donate some of your time, many of them are actively looking for volunteers.
Scrap Creative Reuse Center
913 W. Barre Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Baltimore.scrapcreativereuse.org
Scrap Creative Reuse Center’s mission is to divert tons of discarded, but usable “creating” materials from the waste stream, through sales of donated items in their stores and educational programs in their communities. Their creative classes teach kids to add their creativity and recycle and reuse all kinds of materials into projects – like turning shirts into a rug.
Donations they accept: yarn, fabric, sewing notions, paper and envelopes of all kinds, art supplies, crafting tools, scrapbooking supplies, wood, metal and plastic, pens and pencils.
They are also looking for volunteers.
ReStore for Habitat for Humanity
There are 10 locations in Baltimore and surrounding counties, and the DC suburbs. Check the website for locations, hours and drop off times and policies.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Habitat ReStores are owned and operated by local chapters of Habitat for Humanity. ReStores accept donations and sell diverse merchandise to the public at a fraction of the retail price, and divert reusable household items and building materials from area landfills. Sales of donated items help Habitat for Humanity partner with local families to build affordable homes in the community.
Donations they accept: New and gently used appliances, furniture, building materials, household goods. Each store is unique, so contact them to see if items are suitable for that location. They are able to arrange pick up.
Leveling the Playing Field
1794 Union Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21211
levelingtheplayingfield.org
Drop off 24/7 in the drop bin located outside the warehouse
In recent years, access to playing sports has become available only to the families who can afford registration fees and sports equipment. Leveling the Playing Field collects new and gently used sports equipment and distributes it to schools and organizations working to provide affordable and accessible sports programs.
Donations they accept: new and gently used (good condition) equipment for football, golf, Lacrosse, basketball, hockey, soccer, baseball, softball, racquet sports, volleyball and playground fitness. No clothing, except full sets of uniforms – there is a full list on the website of items they cannot accept.
They are also looking for volunteers.
ShareBaby
1792 Union Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
sharebaby.org
Drop off hours every Tuesday, 9 am – 4 pm
Share Baby delivers over 200,000 diapers and other essentials per month to 15,00 children in Baltimore. They also have a pantry of baby supplies and gear.
Donations they accept: Baby gear: gates, diaper pails, high chairs, floor chairs, Pack & Plays, strollers. New and gently used baby clothing. Diapers (including open packs) and new hygiene supplies. See the website for more specifics.
Junior League of Baltimore Wise Penny Store
5902 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212 (next to Senator Theater)
Jlbalt.org
Drop off to the donation center in the back of the store. You will be asked to unbag and unpack your items and place them in bins. Thursday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
The Wise Penny is a thrift store that provides new and gently used clothing and household items at affordable prices. Proceeds fund community projects.
Donations they accept: Clothing and shoes, jewelry, watches, small household appliances, cookware, glassware and china, children’s toys (no stuffed animals). See the website for items they cannot accept.
House of Ruth
Three ways to help House of Ruth:
Clothing Donations to Ruth’s Closet
Drop off for Ruth’s Closet is on Fridays, 12 – 5 pm. 11400-D Cronridge Drive, Owings Mills, MD 21117
Donations they accept: new and like-new freshly cleaned women’s clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories.
Other Household Donations
Drop off by appointment only to The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Donation Center at 2521 North Charles Street. Email donations@hruthmd.org or call 443.569.0463
Donations they accept: new bath towels, baby food, new clothing for adults and children, non-perishable food.
Cell phones, IPods, iPads
Mail to House of Ruth, Attn: Development, 2201 Argonne Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218
CHANA
Drop off at the clothing shed at one of these locations: Beth El Congregation, Chizuk Amuno Congregations. Har Sinai, Beth Tfiloh or Weinberg Park JCC.
Chana supports the needs of people who have been subjected to domestic violence, sexual abuse, elder abuse, or are survivors of child abuse.
Donations they accept: Clothing, shoes, linens and stuffed animals. Place items in tied plastic bags, please.
Second Chance
1700 Ridgely Street in Baltimore, MD 21230 (close to M&T Stadium, with free parking)
secondchanceinc.org
Fill out the form and they will get back to you on how to bring items in, or they will arrange to pick them up from you.
Second Chance provides “second chances” for people, materials and the environment. They deconstruct and salvage houses and other buildings, which provides job training and employment for people who need a second chance, and then raises money for their programs through sales at their warehouse. And if you are building or renovating, definitely visit the warehouse for unique finds and architectural details that often come with a story or an interesting hitory.
Donations they accept: They’ll take just about anything house or building-related, including the whole house! No kidding.
Sharp Dressed Man
1400 Aliceanna Street, Baltimore, MD 21231
sharpdressedman.org
Drop off by appointment, email info@sharpdressedman.org to schedule (across from Orange Theory)
Sharp Dressed Men dresses referred men for interviews, and for formal events, and provides professional work looks for men who are in job training programs. They say, “Often a nice suit and appropriate attire is the last hurdle for men getting back on their feet.”
Donations they accept: Clean, with no stains, holes or soiling. Suit jackets, slacks and dress pants, dress shirts, ties and accessories. See website for exclusions – no casual clothes, jeans, corduroys, etc.
Suited to Succeed
250 West Dickman Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Drop off Wednesday-Friday, 10 am – 3 pm. Call on arrival 410.528.1799 and a volunteer will come out.
Suited to Succeed dresses women for job opportunities.
Donations they accept: Clothing appropriate for work: women’s jackets and blazers, pants, skirts, purses, dresses, belts and scarves. They particularly need plus sizes.
Hereford Fall Festival
Hereford Volunteer Fire Department
510 Monkton Road, Hereford, MD 21111
Hereford Fall Festival | Hereford Fire Co.
Drop off books 24/7 in front of the fire department entrance door, now through October 15th. Have them in a plastic bag in case of rain.
The Hereford Volunteer Fire Department’s main fundraiser every year is the Hereford Fall Festival, on October 16th and 17th this year. They are collecting books – any kind of book – for their very popular book table.
Donations they accept: Any and all books
