Where to donate those Christmas gifts you don't want

[u/antipathyx]

Have you received gifts for Christmas that you don't want or need? Or perhaps like me, you're deep cleaning your house and have items you don't know what to do with. Rather than giving them to a for-profit entity like Goodwill, consider giving items directly to local non-profits and mutual aid networks where items go directly to those in need.

Here's a list I've compiled. If you have an organization to contribute to this list, please list it in the comments!

(Items should be new, or clean and in good condition- check each organization's specifications)

S.A.R.A.S Treasures is a thrift store where all of the proceeds go to providing for cats and dogs that have been removed from shelters where they would otherwise be euthanized. They accept a large variety of new and gently used tems for the store, like purses, accessories, home goods and more.
https://www.sarastreasures.org/How_To_Help/thrift_store_donations.htm

Hope and Safety Alliance (formerly known as Women's Space) provides protection, shelter and empowerment to victims of domestic abuse. They accept women's clothing, toiletries, and makeup. For youth, they also accept winter clothing, certain toys, and craft supplies are appreciated for all ages. https://www.hopesafetyalliance.org/wish-

Daisy CHAIN inclusively provides pregnancy, lactation, parenting support and doula care to anyone who needs it. They accept donations of various lactation supplies, baby needs and sanitary items.
https://www.daisychainlane.org/in-kind-donation-needs.html

Black Thistle Street Aid is a collective of health care workers, herbalists, outreach workers and social justice advocates who intersect with the intention of supporting the community at large by supporting our unhoused community. They need tents, tarps, hygiene and first aid supplies. (We're currently hosting a donation bin for them at Wild Rose Tattoo. https://www.blackthistlestreetaid.org/donations

The Eugene Mission, who serves our houseless neighbors directly, accepts specific food items, housewares, clothing, blankets and hygiene supplies.
https://www.eugenemission.org/donateitems

ShelterCare, who's housing programs serve those experiencing or on the verge of experiencing homelessness, accepts a wide range of items including small pieces of furniture. You can donate some adult clothing, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies and household items.
https://sheltercare.org/give-supplies/

Community Supported Shelters does similar work and maintains an amazon wishlist for their donations. If you have some of those items, you may be able to coordinate a drop off.
https://www.communitysupportedshelters.org/ways-to-give#GiveSupplies

Bags of Love Eugene, an organization that serves children in crisis, accepts specific children's clothing items, toys, books, school supplies, bedding, baby supplies and toiletries.
https://bagsofloveinc.org/donate/

The Arc Lane County, who serves those with intellectual and physical disabilities, accepts gently used clothes, shoes and blankets. http://arclane.org/cares/

There are even pages on Facebook that are for "no buy" exchanges, like the Lane County Mutual Aid Network - Community Message Boards
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1354709024737163

Keep the gifting season going, my friends. ❤

Edit: I meant to suggest adding in other organizations in the comments, so thanks to those that have done so.

[u/skaradontes89]

Thank you for the info. Hope your new year is filled with blessings

[u/TadashiAbashi]

I have no idea how you didn't include st vinnies in this list, but as a true local who has seen both sides of the poverty/homeless issues, they have done more for people in need than probably the rest of this list combined.

They literally give out vouchers for homeless people to take to their stores for blankets, shoes, and clothes.

They are a world apart from the likes of goodwill.

[u/antipathyx → u/TadashiAbashi]

I meant to suggest adding other options in the comments, so thank you.

[u/Ocastra]

Hearts for hospice

https://www.heartsforhospiceoregon.org/donate.html

Volunteer run, all proceeds go to donations to hospice programs and a few other charitable partners. They sell durable medical equipment that is donated back to the community at Rock bottom prices and will deliver it for a small fee unlike the vultures at goodwill.

[u/etherbunnies]

You aren't living up to your username, OP.

Thank you!

[u/antipathyx → u/etherbunnies]

It’s my email username from middle school, haha. The x is to cancel antipathy.

[u/Moojoo0 → u/antipathyx]

Well that's a lot less embarrassingly ridiculous than my middle school email, I'll have to give ya that.

[u/etherbunnies → u/antipathyx]

Color me disappointed. I thought it was a Billy Idol fan.

[u/Alternative-Cost-792]

There is a shelter on hwy 99 behind the dollar general that you can drop off clothing items and hygiene as well that goes directly to the people staying there. Operated by St vinnies but cuts out them going to the store.

[u/Smooshfacedcat]

Is there anywhere in town that accepts open products- soap, lotion, etc.? I have a surplus from a client who lost their sister

[u/antipathyx → u/Smooshfacedcat]

I believe Hope and Safety Alliance might, but I would double check their lists.

[u/Cultural_Pirate2166]

I've always loved Sara's and their mission is noble

[u/Cultural_Pirate2166]

The CEO at Goodwill gets one million dollars a year The director of St Vincent de Paul was offered $100 K and he refused and accepted $50,000 .St Vincentsb provides low income housing, summer camps for kids , free clothes for interviews ,etc

[u/slutforslurpees]

SARAS treasures treats their volunteers poorly. they were really rude and pushy toward me when I was looking into volunteering and after speaking with others who've worked with them I won't step foot in there.

[u/antipathyx → u/slutforslurpees]

Oh dang, sorry to hear that.

[u/laffnlemming]

Maybe tell people not to buy you stuff next year? They can save their money.

[u/Low-Obligation7326 → u/laffnlemming]

Would you tell your in-laws to their face that the gifts they bought your kids sucked and they just shouldn’t bother?😂

[u/laffnlemming → u/Low-Obligation7326]

No. I wouldn't say that in that manner.

But, you could discuss a dollar limit to keep the waste down.

Unfortunately, the fun is in the giving!!!