Where to donate professional clothing
I have alot of professional clothing of excellent quality (Ann Taylor, Chico's, Eileen Fischer) to donate. I checked the BPN archives---Opportunity Knocks is closed. All that remains is Dress for Success in SF with rather stringent rules---e.g., donations allowed one particular time per month and must have an appointment, clothing that is less than 5 years old, only 2 bags' worth, and the like. I agree that some fashions can be dated but some can be timeless. I would have to drive there in order to donate only some of what I have to give away. Are there any other venues in the Bay Area? Thanks!
Oct 8, 2024
Parent Replies
If you're already on FB, consider joining a Buy Nothing group and posting there! It can be more time-consuming than a donation (you have to arrange to leave on your porch or otherwise make the handoff) but there are often folks looking for professional clothes for whom buying new may be more challenging.
Hi La Lupa - Clothes to donate, the Berkeley Humane Society has a very well run Thrift Shop 1120 Solano Ave in Albany (510) 647-9445
You could sell them on Thred Up. They send you a huge bag, you put it all in and send it back (postage is prepaid). Super easy. You can use the credit to buy used clothing from Thred Up (environmentally friendlier than buying new) or get cash and donate it (or keep it for a rainy day). I have been very happy with both selling and buying.
I just heard that Dorothy Day House opened a thrift store on Telegraph and Channing or contact them directly as I am sure they would appreciate or know of another
organization if they feel that they do not need?
dorothydayhouse.org
Salvation Army has lots of stores around the area that will take clothes. St. Vincent de Paul also has 2 stores in Oakland that will take them.
In Berkeley, the Dorothy Day House just opened a thrift store called "Dorothy's Closet' that takes clothes. These stores are not tailored to benefit folks in the same way (no pun intended) but the proceeds from the sales of your donation will help unhoused and under-resourced folks all over.
The Thrifty Kitty in Alameda would love to take your high quality clothes in excellent condition. 100% of the profits go to support the Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter. We also sell jewelry, housewares, art, home decor, purses, shoes, and other accessories. We don't have much storage space so we are only able to accept seasonally appropriate items. We are currently taking fall clothes and Halloween decor. We will begin taking Christmas items in November. Just go to the website to make an appointment, and see what we can and cannot take: https://thethriftykitty.org/