Spring cleaning? These 7 Birmingham charities are taking donations

The sun is shining, the weather is warming up, so I think we can call it and say Spring is here! And with Spring comes spring cleaning. Keep reading to see where you can donate old clothes, furniture, and other household items in Birmingham.

If you ask my mother, I’m not exactly going to become Marie Kondo my life anytime soon. But when I do get around to cleaning out my clothes from middle school (yikes), we’ve got a great list of places willing to take donations.

1. The Foundry

The Foundry works to provide resources for those battling addiction, poverty and homelessness. Based in Bessemer, the Foundry aims to transform the local community by helping others. The organization also runs a thrift store that helps fund the program, so while you drop off your spring cleaning items you can browse around for some new-to-you things.

• How: See all the ways to donate here. Because of COVID, most donations are taken by pick-up.
• Where: Wherever you are. There are also large orange boxes around town available to donate smaller items.
• When: 9AM-4PM
• What: Clothing, Shoes, Household goods, Books, Jewelry, Furniture, Electronics, Televisions, Computers, Small and Large Electronics, Lawn Equipment, Bicycles, Hot Tubs, Pianos, Organs, Pool Tables, Ping Pong Tables, Cubicles, Hospital Beds

2. My Sister’s Closet at the YWCA

Thanks to working from home and Zoom, I think we’ve all got some business clothes to get rid of this spring. My Sister’s Closet at the YWCA is a great place to donate old or outgrown business clothes to help women in need dress for job interviews and new employment. Learn more via their Facebook.

• How: You can make an in-kind donation at the site.
• Where: 2324 3rd Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203
• When: Monday-Friday 10AM-2PM
• What: Used clothing and shoes. They have a current need for plus size evening gowns, plus size clothing, new underwear, and shoes of all sizes and styles.

3. King’s Home

King’s Home works with women and children to provide faith-based housing and services. The organization runs 22 houses in 4 counties in Central Alabama. The outreach of the program is large, with 285 residents served in 2019 alone. See where and how King’s Home is taking donations for 2021:

• How: King’s Home uses The Better Bin for donations. You can sign up for a donation pickup or find a bin to drop off items.
• Where: You can find one of the 17 coral bins around the Birmingham area here.
• When: Schedule a time, or drop off at a bin anytime.
• What: King’s Home is currently taking anything except used mattresses and old office equipment.

4. The Lovelady Center

The Lovelady Center aims to assist formerly incarcerated women in the Birmingham area. The organization considers itself a “whole-way house,” helping to rehabilitate women and decrease their chances of being reincarcerated.

• How: Donate in-store or schedule a pick-up.
• Where: 7720 Ludington Lane, Irondale, AL 35210 or 2402 Old Springville Road Birmingham, AL 35215
• When: Check out their donation pick-up schedule to see what time works best for you.
• What: New or gently used clothing and household items.

5. Habitat ReStore

Donating something a little bigger than a coat or pair of shoes? The Birmingham-area Habitat ReStore from Habitat for Humanity runs a low-cost homegoods store that takes community donations, from the couch you’ve had in your attic for a couple years to those curtains you never put up.

• How: You can donate in-store or schedule a pick-up.
• Where: 7952 Crestwood Boulevard, Irondale, Alabama 35210
• When: Monday-Saturday 8AM-5PM
• What: Furniture, General household items, Building materials, Cabinets, Appliances (in working condition) , Lighting, Vehicles, Windows, Flooring

6. Salvation Army

And of course, there’s always the Salvation Army (and Goodwill—see below) to donate to as well. Donations here help provide employment opportunities and low-cost items to families in need. The Birmingham Area Command is currently taking donations to help victims of the January 25 tornado.

• How: Bring new or gently-used items to a Salvation Army location.
• Where: 809 Greensprings Hwy, Homewood, Alabama or 2741 John Hawkins Parkway, Hoover, Alabama. You can also schedule a pick-up.
• When: Monday-Saturday 10AM-3PM
• What: Clothing, shoes, household good, kitchen and cooking items

7. Goodwill

Lastly, we have the tried and true Goodwill for pretty much anything you have to donate. With tons of locations in the Birmingham area, it’s an easy way to round out your spring cleaning and help others.

• How: Bring your items to a Goodwill store or donation center.
• Where: Find a Goodwill location here.
• When: Double check store times at the store locator.
• What: Clothing, shoes, household good, kitchen and cooking items

So once you’ve reorganized your closet, parsed down the kitchen cabinets and gone through those boxes in your attic, check out one of these charities to donate those items to. Your conscience and your house will feel better.

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