Giving back to your community while getting rid of your junk is a win-win

It’s hard to let go of your stuff, especially when it holds sentimental value. Sometimes the easiest way to part with your things is knowing that they will find their way to someone who needs them and will actually use them!

There are so many ways to donate your beloved stuff that you don’t use or need anymore, all while supporting and connecting with your community.

Give your books to another reader

If you have books that you plan on not reading again, or books that you have never read and never will, pass them on to someone who will! Books can take up so much space on your shelf, and this is a great way to clear your cabinets while enriching others.

You can see if your local library is accepting book donations, or you can check with a school near you to see if a classroom is in need! If you only have a few books to get rid of, you can take them to a Little Free Library in your neighborhood and leave them for someone to find on their walk!

Get rid of your clothes and see your friends

You are definitely not the only one with too many clothes in your closet. One of my favorite things to do is host a clothing swap for my friends, where we each bring all of our unwanted clothes and give them to each other to try on!

It’s a wonderful way to spend time and connect with your friends, plus you get the thrill of shopping without spending any money. You will leave behind all of the clothes that you no longer wear in a way that is more fun than driving down to the charity shop to drop them off.

My favorite part — seeing your friends later on wearing the clothes you gave them! There is so much joy in seeing your best friend providing your favorite dress from five summers a new lease on life.

Give unused garden tools a new life

Have you found yourself with a collection of gardening tools that have sat unused since an initial burst of enthusiasm for gardening fizzled out? There's a meaningful way to give them new life while benefiting your community: community gardens!

These neighborhood treasures provide a perfect outlet for donating unused tools. Shovels, rakes, watering cans, and pots — all essential for gardening — are often in demand at community gardens where volunteers and neighbors come together to nurture plants, grow fresh produce, and beautify shared outdoor spaces.

By donating your surplus tools to a community garden, you not only declutter your own space but also contribute to a collective effort! If gardening isn’t your thing, your donated tools can make a difference in your community.

Make connections while getting rid of your things

If you know me, you know that I love Buy Nothing groups!!! They are the best place to get rid of any and everything that you are no longer using, wanting, or needing. Each group is localized to a neighborhood, meaning that your group will have just your neighbors in it, and no one else. This way, you can guarantee that your stuff will be going somewhere within a few mile radius!

It’s as simple as posting photos of the items you are getting rid of, and choosing someone who will come pick it up from you. It is my favorite way to donate my decluttered items since I get to meet new neighbors and know that my stuff is going to a home that will actually use it.

When all else fails, throw it to the curb

When alternative donation methods seem too cumbersome or time-consuming, there’s always the tried and true “FREE” sign. That’s right, place your unwanted items neatly on the curb with a big ol’ “FREE” sign on them.

This donation method is a casual yet effective way to redistribute goods within the community, fostering a sense of spontaneous generosity. It not only clears space in your home but also promotes a culture of sharing and benefiting those who might not have the means to acquire new items.

Whether it’s a dining room table, coffee pot, or miscellaneous decor, someone is bound to find value in what you no longer need. It's a testament that one person's trash can indeed be another person's treasure. No more excuses, time to declutter!