Guide to Donations: Atlanta

Donations & Recycling Guide for Metro ATL

Goodwill is always a solid option for donations, as they are ubiquitous, open late, and take many types of items - but sometimes there is a desire to donate things to an organization that will distribute those items for free, or that has a mission statement closer to your heart. Or perhaps you have donation items such as food or toiletries that goodwill won’t take. This guide will walk you through some alternative donation possibilities, as well as introducing you to some specific Atlanta-based organizations that you can consider donating to if you would prefer. This is a living document – if you have a favorite donation spot I should add to the list, please do tell me!

Some general possibilities for common donation items

Clothes – There are multiple charities that will come pick up clothing donations from your house. These charities usually also have drop boxes located around town, listed on their websites. American Kidney Services and Atlanta Clothing pickup are 2 such services. Several of the organizations listed below also accept clothing donations. Another option is to throw a clothes swap in your neighborhood, or with friends.

Books – Books can be donated to a Little Free Library neighborhood box. Many public libraries also accept donations, but call first to be sure. You can also take your books to a used bookstore to sell or trade in.  

Toiletries – In addition to the organizations listed below, I recommend reaching out to local churches or shelters, as they often can use unopened toiletries to build hygiene kits for people living on the street.

Cleaning supplies – Faith centers (churches/synagogues/mosques) often take on donations of new or partly used cleaning supplies. I also recommend asking schools.

Office / craft supplies – Schools will often take these, as will churches/synagogues/mosques who run daycare programs.

Food – In addition to the organizations listed below, I recommend reaching out to your local food pantry, as they are almost always taking donations.

Single use plates, cutlery, etc – The Free Fridge in Decatur will accept these, as will many shelters and churches/synagogues/mosques.

Old blankets – animal shelters often need blankets to create comfort for their animals, and will take blankets even if they’re stained or torn up.

Here are some organizations that accept donations, with information about their mission statements and which what donations they accept.

Atlanta Free Fridge (Decatur)
Atlanta has just one free fridge that I know of, but hopefully there will be more around town in the future. Community fridges, also known as solidarity fridges, have a simple premise: Functioning fridges, often donated, are placed outside local businesses or organizations. They are filled with fresh food to fight hunger while also preventing food waste. Each fridge also has a dry pantry area for nonperishable goods. Anyone can put food in the fridge and anyone can take food out. To share food with the community, simply go to a fridge and put the food inside

Food donations accepted:

·       Eggs

·   Fruit & vegetables

·       Bread & baked goods

·       Unopened dairy

·       Non-perishables

·       Freezer food

·       Prepared meals

·       Homecooked meals (with ingredients listed and use-by date)

·       Cooked meat

·       Lunch meat

·       Baby food

Food donations not accepted:

·       raw meat

·       expired items

·       unlabeled multi-ingredient items

·       unsealed prepared meals, expired items

In addition to food, they also accept:

·       single-wrapped utensils

·       personal hygiene products

·       personal protective equipment

·       formula, diapers

www.atlfreefridge.com

611 Medlock Road, Decatur

24/7 access

CHARM - Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (South Atlanta)

Many things can be recycled, but aren’t streamlined into our recycling pickup programs. CHARM encourages reuse and diverts hazardous waste from landfills and water systems by creating recycling programs for these items.

Following is an abbreviated list of what CHARM will recycle – note that they have a program for most things you can imagine, and you can see the extensive list on their website:

·       paint

·       chemicals

·       Styrofoam

·       Books

·       Electronics

·       Tires

·       Bicycles

·       musical instruments

·       fire extinguishers

·       mattresses

·       clothing in any state

·       appliances.

*note that there is a fee for certain items – see website

They also offer compost services and secure document shredding, for a fee.

Dropoffs require an appointment, which can be made on their website.

www.livethrive.org

1110 Hill Street SE

Tuesdays & Thursdays 9-2 and Saturdays 8-2, by appointment only

Lost-N-Found Youth (Brookhaven)

a non-profit providing services to LGBTQ+ Youth experiencing homelessness. They run a thrift store, as well as a shelter, and accept donations for both.

Items accepted for the thrift store:

·       Clothing

·       Toys

·       Furniture

·       Art

·       Collectables

·       fitness equipment

·       small kitchen appliances

·       household goods

Items accepted for the shelter:

·       Men’s/Women’s underwear and socks

·       twin bed sheets

·       wash cloths & towels

·       laundry detergent & dryer sheets

·       disposable plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, paper napkins

·       toilet paper

·       personal hygiene items (shaving, dental, shower supplies, etc.)

·       shelf-stable snack items

·       restaurant gift cards

They also offer pickups for large furniture items. You can read more about this on their website.

www.lnfy.org

2585 Chantilly Dr NE

Dropoff Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-5:00 and Sunday 10:00-3:00

Receipts provided for tax deductions

Habitat for Humanity Restore

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit that partners with families to make home ownership a reality. Their vision is ‘A world where everyone has a decent place to live.’

Items they accept:

·       working appliances

·       building materials

·       flooring

·       furniture

·       hardware

·       home décor

·       & more – see website

They offer pickup services for large, bulky items. See website for more info.

https://www.habitat.org/restores

Multiple locations – check website for the one nearest you

Hours vary by location

Atlanta Mission (West Midtown)

Atlanta Mission is a Christian-based shelter working to empower people experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, food, counseling, addiction recovery services, and more. 

Urgent needs:

·       new and gently used clothing

·       cotton undershirts for men and boys

·       new cotton underwear, shampoo, conditioner

·       bar soap or body wash, lotion, deodorants

·       men’s and women’s razors, shaving cream

·       fingernail clippers

·       toothbrush holders

·       unused hair brushes

·       Kleenex, disinfectant spray

·       medicines (Claritin, Allegra, Sudafed, Tylenol, Children’s Allergy medicines)

·       dry packaged foods

·       LARGE canned goods

·       Unopened perishable groceries

They do not accept any open products in general. They also do not accept:

·       musical instruments

·       appliances

·       used underwear

·       furniture

·       used toys or games

·       clothing with stains or holes

·       printers

·       computers

·       used stuffed animals

www.atlantamission.org

921 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta
Receiving dock is on the corner of 8th St. NW and Howell Mill Rd. You can pull up on 8th Street and knock on the double doors and someone will assist you with unloading.

Open for donations 7 days a week, 9-6