DONATIONS
Listed are various organizations that will be more than happy to accept your donations and put them to good use.
Again Thrift and More
This is Minnesota Valley Action Council’s (MVAC) thrift store. There are two store locations, one in Mankato and one in New Ulm. Proceeds from the stores go to its programs. MVAC is a government-funded entity that helps people cover heating costs or other bills when they are struggling. Please visit mnv.org to learn more about them and their programs.
Ample Harvest
If your garden has produced more food than you can consume, you can donate the excess through Ample Harvest which connects gardeners with food pantries in your area. Learn more at AmpleHarvest.org.
Books for Africa
A simple name for an organization with a simple mission: to end the book famine in Africa. We collect, sort, ship, and distribute books to African students of all ages. With your help, we will help create a culture of literacy and provide the tools of empowerment to the next generation of parents, teachers, and leaders in Africa. To learn more, please visit them at booksforafrica.org/donate/donate-books.html
Bra Donations
Bras and other intimates are typically the least donated but yet the most needed for many women. The Bra Recyclers is a textile recycling company that recycles and reuses bras that unnecessarily go to landfills. They provide deserving women with used or unused bras as they transition back to self-sufficiency. They have dropped off locations throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. If there is not a location near you there is an address to mail your bras to. Please visit brarecycling.com to find out more.
Books
The Blue Earth County Library system has a designated monthly donation day. You can drop off your donations of new or gently used books on the first Saturday of every month from 10:00 am – 12:30 pm at the Blue Earth County Library Garage, located at 100 East Main Street in Mankato. You can find out what they accept and more by clicking here.
CADA
(Committee Against Domestic Abuse, Inc.) provides safety and support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault through education, advocacy, and shelter. They serve Blue Earth, Faribault, Nicollet, LeSueur, Waseca, Watonwan, Sibley and Brown Counties in southern Minnesota. Please visit inspire-hope.org to view their wish list. All donations must be pre-approved before dropped off. Call 507-625-8688, extension 6 for pre-approval and to arrange a drop off time.
Cell Phones for Soldiers
Every cell phone donated assists Cell Phones for Soldiers in its mission to provide free communication tools to active duty military members and veterans. Find out more at cellphonesforsoldiers.com.
CleantheWorld.org
you can donate all of the unused hotel shampoos & soaps that you have collected throughout your travels. The product will either be used in assembled hygiene kits and distributed to domestic homeless shelters or be sent directly to one of the more than 45 countries where soaps and hygiene supplies are given to children and families in need. Click here to find out more.
Creative Reuse Centers
These centers are popping up across the country. They are places that collect, organize and distribute community discards for creative use. There is a location in St. Paul called ArtStart. You can learn more about them and what donations they accept at artstart.org. You can also Google “creative reuse center” to find a location near you.
DonateMyDress.org
The first national campaign designed to encourage girls around the country to donate their prom and special occasion dress to those who cannot afford them. The site features a directory of local dress drive organizations across the U.S. that will enable girls to easily find out where in their local markets they can donate or receive a dress. Click here to find out more.
Donation Town
Did you know that there are dozens of charities that will actually send a truck to your home and pick up your used clothing donations and other household items donations for free? Visit their website to find out more: donationtown.org.
Dress for Success
Provides business attire to disadvantaged women returning to or entering the workforce. Please visit dressforsuccess.org to find a location near you, a listing of accepted donations and more.
DVD’s for Vets
Go to dvds4vets.org to learn how you can donate your DVDs. They can be mailed into their office location or you can drop them off at a participating vet facility near you by using their online locator.
Food Banks
There are so many people in need. You can help someone less fortunate by donating non-perishable food to your local food bank. Visit foodpantries.org to find a location near you.
Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota
The mission of Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota is to assist people with barriers to education, employment and independence in achieving their goals. If you would like to make a donation please visit goodwilleasterseals.org to find a location near you. They also have information on what donations they accept.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat’s ReStore is a retail store that carries new and used home improvement merchandise. They accept donations of new and lightly used home improvement materials. For more information on how and what to donate, to find a location near you and more visit habitat.org/restores/default.aspx
Kids Making Music
Dust off those unused instruments sitting in your closet and donate to a great program! Joe Meidl, owner of Music Mart, will take your donated instrument and put it in the hands of a budding musician in need. Learn more by calling 507.345.1399 or visit their store at 1014 North Riverfront Drive in Mankato.
MRCI Thrift Shop
Their mission is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for people with disabilities to support their community participation. The MRCI Thrift Shop is a volunteer operated, a professionally managed retail business selling new and used donated clothing and household items to the public and is a nonprofit fundraising project of the MRCI Auxiliary. To learn more about them and to find a location that will gladly accept your donations please visit their website at mrciworksource.org.
Partners for Affordable Housing
Owns and operates the Welcome Inn and the Theresa House, both providing emergency shelter to homeless and/or at-risk individuals and families in the Mankato area. They are in need of things used around the house every day. Please visit partnersforhousing.org to view their needs list.
Stuffed Animals
Send your gently used, stuffed, plush animals to SAFE –https://stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org, who donates them to homeless shelters, hospitals, and emergency aid workers. Paramedics often give the soft toys to kids they meet on their calls.
The Salvation Army
Your donation will help transform lives. Schedule a pickup, find family stores, drop-off locations and more here.
USAgain
Use it again. USAgaincollects used clothes, shoes and household textiles of good quality and resell them worldwide. They provide thousands of convenient locations across the U.S. where you can drop off your gently used clothes and shoes at any time of the day, any day of the year. You probably have seen their drop boxes! Find your nearest drop box and more at USAgain.com.
Vietnam Veterans of America
Resells your donations to fund programs for veterans. Go to clothingdonations.org to schedule a pickup.
The VINE Home Thrift Store
All proceeds remain in the community and benefit the charitable work of VINE Faith in Action an interfaith volunteer caregiving organization serving older adults, people with disabilities, and individuals and families encountering difficult life situations. VINE is a network of faith congregations, organizations, and individuals providing volunteer assistance in the Minnesota River Valley of South Central Minnesota. Please visit their website at vinevolunteers.com to learn more.
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