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Where to Donate your Used T Shirts, Clothing and Other Apparel

Submitted by sheryl.perkins on September 5, 2013 - 5:31pm

When you donate clothing, you're opening doors for someone less fortunate than you. Many people cannot afford to buy nice clothes for themselves or their families. Whether they're working hard to make ends meet or have been the victim of a circumstance far from their control, such as a hurricane or fire, they need your used clothing. It doesn't take long to go through your clothing collection to find items you no longer need. By simply cleaning out your closet to donate clothing you don't wear anymore, you can have a huge impact on someone else's life.

There are countless charities out there where you can donate your used clothing and accessories. Some accept general donations of just about any type of clothing, while others are more specific. You might be surprised to find the types of clothing donations you can make. For example, if you have an old evening gown lying around, you can donate to a teenage girl who needs a dress to wear to her prom. Not only does making a clothing donation rid your home of clutter, it also helps you to feel good, knowing that you've made a difference in someone else's life.

When making a clothing donation, it's important to ensure your goods are going to a legit cause. Unfortunately, there are many scam artists out there who create fake charities to take advantage of generous donors like yourself. Use sites like the Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator to research an organization online, before making a clothing donation. Most reputable charities will also offer you a tax receipt after you donate clothing. If they can't provide one, use this as a red flag that the organization may not be legitimate.

General Clothing Donation Charities

  • Salvation Army: An evangelical part of the universal Christian Church, the Salvation Army provides countless services to those in need including housing and homeless services, adult rehabilitation, disaster relief, and more.

  • Goodwill: The Goodwill organization provides services to people in need, helping them to improve their lives, and those of their families.

  • Clothes 4 Souls: Each clothing donation you make to Clothes 4 Souls will directly benefit those in desperate need of clean, well-taken care of attire.

  • The National Center for Children and Families (NCCF): The NCCF provides community support, education and training, volunteers, and social advocacy in four service divisions, including adolescent services, community based services, family services, and foster care and adoption services.

  • Planet Aid: A non-profit organization, Planet Aid collects and recycles used clothing to give to those in need.

  • Career Gear: This non-profit organization provides job counseling and interview clothing to men who need a little extra help finding professional work.

Charities for Veterans

  • Vietnam Veterans of America: The only national Vietnam veterans organization congressionally chartered, the Vietnam Veterans of America works to advocate issues important to veterans, seeks quality healthcare for veterans, supports the next generation of America's war veterans, and much more.

  • Operation Undergarment: If you find unused, never worn underwear, t-shirts, socks, slippers, sweatpants, and pajamas in the back of your closet, donate them to Operation Undergarment. These items go to field hospitals, where injured soldiers who had to have their clothing cut off will benefit from them.

  • Amvets: This organization works hard to get Veterans the hard earned benefits they deserve.

  • Disabled American Veterans (DAV): Support DAV's mission to provide a network of services to veterans and their families, free of charge.

  • Purple Heart: Helping combat wounded veterans connect with their government entities is the core mission of Purple Heart.

  • Paralyzed Veterans of America: Devoted to helping those who served our country, the Paralyzed Veterans of America works to provide education, assistance, and other programs to veterans.


Charities for Children

  • Wellspring Family Services: This non-profit organization provides many services to help homeless families get back on their feet, including finding a place to live, teaching abusive partners non-violent behaviors, providing counseling, and more.

  • Shriners Hospitals for Children: Shriners Hospitals provide care to children under age 18, who require care related to orthopedic issues, burns, spinal cord injury, and cleft lip and palate care.

  • Big Brothers Big Sisters: Connecting children with one-on-one mentors, Big Brothers Big Sisters, helps to kids to reach their potential.

  • Newborns in Need: This organization works to provide assistance to sick and needy babies, and their families.

  • Loved Twice: Working with social workers, hospitals, shelters, and clinics, Loved Twice helps to provide clothing for babies in need during their first year of life.

  • BabyCenter: A resource for moms to find information on pregnancy, children's health, parenting and more. Post a message in BabyCenter forum when you have clothes to donate, to find someone who really needs them.

Charities for Women

  • I Have Wings: Donate used costume jewelry to I Have Wings and they'll clean it up to give to Breast Cancer patients.

  • Dress for Success: Providing professional attire and career development skills, Dress for Success helps low-income women gain the confidence they need to get the jobs they deserve.

  • Princess Project: The Princess Project provides prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who cannot afford to purchase these items.

  • Brides Against Breast Cancer: Helping to ensure that cancer patients and their families have the resources they need to fight the disease, Brides Against Breast Cancer provides outreach and educational efforts during their "Nationwide Tour of Gowns" bridal shows across the country.

  • The Women's Alliance: This national organization provides professional clothing and career services to women from low-income families.

  • Soma Intimates: This lingerie store sponsors a bra drive to provide victims of domestic violence with intimate attire they had to leave behind, before heading to a shelter.


International Charities

  • The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): This United Nations program offers humanitarian and developmental aid to children and mothers in emerging countries.

  • Freecycle: Help people in need throughout the world by posting an announcement on Freecycle detailing the used clothing you'd like to donate, and someone in need will contact you.

  • Shoe 4 Africa: Holding AIDS awareness events, supporting educational programs, women's empowerment, peace reconciliation and more, Shoe 4 Africa is helping to make life better for many people who need it most.

  • Knit With Love: Established for the purpose of bringing joy and brightening someone's day, Knit With Love gives scarves, beanies, blankets, and other knitted clothing to people who really need it.

  • SOS Children's Villages: An independent, non-governmental organization, SOS Children's Villages works to meet the needs and protect the rights of children.

  • SHARE Africa: This organization sponsors orphans and runs EMS and self-empowerment programs for communities in Africa that have been impacted by AIDS.