The 9 Best Places to Donate Clothes

Rather than throwing them away, donate clothes you no longer use to one of these amazing organizations.

Whether you're spring cleaning your closet or simply trying to be more mindful of textile waste, donating your old clothing is a great way to give back to the community and planet. Instead of throwing away garments you don't wear anymore, consider giving away any unwanted items to those who need them most.

"The process of donating clothes is a great opportunity for parents to teach their children two really valuable lessons," says Beth Amodio, president and CEO of One Warm Coat. "The first is the importance of taking care of other people who need help. And the second is the importance of taking care of the environment." After deciding what to give away, tap one—or all—of these organizations that accept clothing donations.

Meet the Expert

• Beth Amodio, president and CEO of One Warm Coat

• Jeanette Duffy, chief program officer at Dress for Success

Related: Where to Donate Stuffed Animals, Action Figures, and Other Toys

Green Drop

GreenDrop accepts gently used clothing and household goods on behalf of a number of nonprofit and charity partners, including the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and National Federation of the Blind. The organization allows you to schedule an at-home pick or you can go directly to a local drop-off center to donate your items.

Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a charity organization that operates homeless shelters and provides support for the elderly and veterans, as well as the LGBTQ+ community. If you want to donate, you can find a drop-off location at one of its many thrift stores or schedule a pick-up by giving them a call. Earnings from donations help fund beneficial programs and essential services to people in need within your community.

Dress for Success

Founded in 1997, Dress for Success is a nonprofit organization that provides work attire to low-income women. The organization has expanded to nearly 25 countries and has helped more than 1.3 million women worldwide. "Dress for Success helps women who don't have the clothing they need for job interviews," says Jeanette Duffy, chief program officer at Dress for Success. "Giving a woman the right clothing allows her to get past the first step of getting hired and puts her on track to achieve career milestones like getting promoted, getting a raise, and becoming financially independent." To donate, go on the Dress for Success website to find a location near you. Just be sure to email for a time first, as all drop offs are by appointment only.

One Warm Coat

If you have any coats to donate, consider One Warm Coat, a nonprofit that provides free coats to people in need. Since its inception in 1992, One Warm Coat has facilitated 50,000 coat drives across the country, collecting 8 million coats that have been distributed through nonprofit partners.

"One of our core values is to promote environmental sustainability. Every year, we keep over 1 million pounds of clothes out of the landfill through our coat drive program," says Amodio. "The cost of a warm coat can be a strain on a family's budget that is already stretched thin, so we exist to provide that warmth to people who need it most—and the people who participate in coat drives with us have this amazing experience and an opportunity to create an impact in their local community." To donate, you can find a local spot near you using the locator tool on One Warm Coat's website.

Big Brother Big Sister Foundation

The Big Brother Big Sister Foundation pairs at-risk kids with adult mentors to help give them the guidance and support they need. The organization accepts any type of clothing in good condition and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit the charity. You can schedule a pickup online through the Big Brother Big Sister Foundation website or make a drop-off at an authorized location.

Planet Aid

Planet Aid is a non-profit group that accepts clothing for men, women, and children, as well as shoes and undergarments. The organization makes donations, partners with local sports teams, helps not-for-profit groups raise funds, and educates youth on the importance of protecting the environment. To donate, you can find a drop-off bin using the Planet Aid bin locator.

The Arc

The Arc is the largest national community-based organization advocating for and with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). While the organization accepts many different forms of assistance—including monetary donations, donating your time, and much more—many of its local chapters accept donations of physical items. To donate your clothes to the Arc, find a local chapter using the locator tool on its website or by calling and scheduling a pick-up.

Goodwill

Goodwill is another well-known organization that provides community outreach for low-income families and individuals. The organization is best known for its thrift stores, which operate throughout the U.S. Donate by finding a local donation center on the Goodwill website.

Savers

Savers started its first thrift store in 1954 and has since opened locations across the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The organization partners with local nonprofit organizations and accepts donations of clothing and household goods on their behalf, paying them for those items, and helping fund programs in local communities. Visit the Savers website to find a donation center in your area.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart.