Waste not, want not, donate items you don’t use. #HappyToPassItOn
Donate items to a non-profit like Value Village and find yourself some new treasures!
I admit, I’m a bit of a clothes hog, and my husband seems to keep everything he’s ever owned. And don’t get me started on how quickly my growing teenager is going through clothes, and how many old toys she still has in her room. I try to do a purge of stuff we no longer need or, use at least once a year, but now I’m trying to do more frequent purges throughout the year to clear up items in our home before it becomes clutter. I became even more motivated to do those purges when I found out that Value Village, the thrift store I’m sure we all know, is more than just a thrift store.
Until recently, I had no idea that Value Village was a non-profit and donates to worthy causes like Canadian Diabetes Association. I prefer to donate to organizations that give back, and the Canadian Diabetes Association is near and dear to my heart as my own mother struggled with diabetes for years. That made it a no brainer OR EASY DECISION for me to decide to donate the items I pulled for my latest household purge.
During my recent declutter attempt, I selected a few different types of items from all areas of the house. I put together a few piles of clothes (my weakness), including several outfits that my daughter has outgrown, but which remain in excellent condition.
My next task was to take my large stack of books. (Yes I still love to read paper books or “book-books” as many call them now.) Not only do I donate my used books, but for the last few years I buy them second hand. While I try to use the library whenever possible, I do prefer to buy second-hand books since I’m notorious for returning books late.
The final area of my home to be de-cluttered was my small kitchen appliance collection. We realized that there were several small kitchen appliances we weren’t using. They still looked brand new and I’m sure someone will make use of them.
When my family went to go drop off our bags of goodies to our local Value Village, I, of course, had to go inside to check things out. As difficult as it was, I avoided the clothing section (very proud of myself), but I did take a quick cruise down the household items aisles. I’m trying to improve my photography skills by getting more involved in the backgrounds, selecting photo props, and all sorts of fun stuff. Value Village was a treasure trove for me and my new hobby! Since the prices were right within my limited budget, I picked up a few more items to add to my prop collection. Take a look at a few of the things I found at Value Village:
This Breville Fast Slow Cooker has only been used twice! Time to donate it.
I love the concept that my donations are benefiting others and helping them save money, just like I am benefiting when I’m buying my photo props (or clothes when I’m not sufficiently strong-willed to ignore the women’s clothing aisle.) It is, in my opinion, contributing to being greener, easier on the budget, and you would be amazed at the treasures you could find. ALL of these benefits are a great bonus for helping to contribute to worthy causes.
Value Village is more than your favourite thrift store- they also support nonprofit organizations like Canadian Diabetes Association and Developmental Disabilities Association, among others, in your community. Remember to donate your reusable items to places like Value Village so that it can benefit local nonprofits! In addition to supporting the nonprofit, you’ll also be helping planet Earth. Value Village, Good n’ Thrifty!
Remember, it’s always a wonderful thing to donate your reusable items to local non-profits at Value Village. Supporting a non-profit and helping our planet, what could be better?
lisa says
We have a good will store that sounds like the value village. I agree, if you have perfectly good items, wash them up and donate them. There’s always somebody that can use clothing.
Tamara M says
I absolutely love Value Village! Great items and great price!
M.Clark says
We used to donate our books, (I prefer book-books as well) to the local library. And we donate old clothes and shoes to Big Brother. It’s always great to give to a worthy cause.
amy guillaume linderman says
every month or so the kids and i take clothes and misc items to a thrift or consignment shop!
Marthalynn says
I probably take a bag of donations to my local thrift store every week! I keep a box by the front door and whenever I pull something out that doesn’t fit or we don’t like anymore it goes in the box. We have always been happy to donate our gently used items to others. Plus, I love buying second-hand too, so I appreciate everyone else’s donations as well!
Myra B says
Donating items greatest benefit for me is decluttering my house. I find it so wasteful to just simply throw away pretty much anything that someone else could use. It’s one reason my house gets so cluttered to begin with. Giving to charities that take my items relieves my wasteful guilt issue and teaches my kids that giving is something we should do. Yes it’s easier just to leave those things cluttered or simply throw them in the garbage but giving sends those items on to someone who can use them.
Sherree says
Great ideas and I try to do the same … although Value Village is only in Canada (I did a location search) I do the same donations with Purple Heart (for disabled veterans), Salvation Army and we have some local churches that run clothes closets and give gifts to the less fortunate at Christmas and other times. How often do we buy something on sale and never use it and it hangs with tags in the closet (guilty) so these things I try to donate close to the holidays.
Kristin K says
I always donate my clothes, rather than throwing them out! I would rather they go to people who need them, then nobody at all. I would rather keep them! But, I do donate, and shop at Value Village!!! They have great clothes at amazing prices!!!
Linda Manns Linneman says
This is a wonderful way to donate your slightly used items. I love that they have a gigreat cause. Thank you for sharing
Michelle Castagne says
It’s always a good feeling to get rid of the things we don;t use anymore and donate so others can get who may not have a lot of money. We have a Goodwill in our area that we donate to.
Sue E says
I don’t know if we have non-profit store like Value Village around here. If my family or friends cannot use what we’re going to give away than we donate our things to the Goodwill store by our house or organizations leave a card in our mailbox letting us know when they will be around to pick-up any donations that we want to give. They will even come and get some big items when you call them and schedule a time. They don’t accept junk or ripped dirty clothes & I don’t blame them. I would be ashamed to donate something like that. I thank God that I am able to give!! I am a Diabetic so giving to that charity is close to my heart. I am also disabled so the other organization is just as worthy!! Thanks again for giving back!!!
heidi c. says
We have a number of things from spring cleaning ready to donate so we will definitely think of Value Village.
Kristin K says
I have definitely found some great clothing at Value Village!!! I love shopping there 🙂 …just because something has been used, doesn’t mean that the item is no longer of any use! I also donate to the Canadian Diabetes Association at Value Village whenever I can…to give back
lisa says
I’ve been in stores like that before. You can find some good items. Most people do wash the clothing before donating it. Some don’t. I’ve never purchased clothing at these stores. I do have a few items to donate. I need to get on it.
Sophia,M.,McConnery says
Wish they would lower the prices there.The items they sell are used and donated!
poweredbymom says
Sophia,
Actually I have found the prices to be every inexpensive, I don’t see how they could lower it more and still operate the stores. It is a non-profit so they’re not making money, they give to charities and have to pay their employees too.
Michele Ash says
Thanks so much for the Fantastic Review on Renew, Revive and Repurpose with Value Village! This Value Village reminds me of our Good Will Store! I have taken an awful lot of unused clothing and things to them before. I know I need to do a “purge” in this house as well! I’m guilty of keeping things that don’t fit and hoping they will fit sometime! I know, I just need to get them out of my closet and make room so I can actually see what’s in there! At one time, a long time ago, I would take things to this consignment store and they sell the clothes and you get a percentage of the money they get if your items sells. However, you won’t see any money until your account has something like $50 in it. Well, the place I used to take them to, moved and I never got my money either! I gave up on consignments! Thanks so much for sharing our fantastic review, all the pictures, and your personal and professional opinions on Renew, Revive and Repurpose with Value Village with all of us! You know that I definitely do appreciate your reviews! Thanks again! Michele 🙂