There are plenty of worthwhile charities and organizations that would benefit from your household’s ever-growing pile of clutter.
According to a longtime expert on the subject, one “Miss Minimalist,” it is best, from an environmental point of view, to keep your castoffs in your community. That includes churches, hospitals, schools, libraries, animal shelters, homeless shelters, women’s shelters, halfway homes, food banks, senior centers, day cares, prisons and charity shops.
For clothing and fabric, set up a free account with GoGreenDrop.com, which coordinates home pick-ups with Purple Heart, National Foundation of the Blind and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Those willing to discard designer and couture clothing, a number of online services are willing to help.
Animal shelters are always a good place to go to donate old linens, towels and pillows. In Nassau County, that would include the Town of Oyster Bay Animal Shelter, 150 Miller Place, Syosset (516-677-5784), the Last Hope Animal Rescue, 3300 Beltagh Ave., Wantagh (631-425-1884) and the North Shore Animal League, 25 Davis Ave., Port Washington (516-883-7575).
Used electronic items including computers and televisions sets, can always find a home at Best Buy stores in America, offer in-store recycling of old, unused or unwanted consumer electronics.
There are numerous traditional outlets for donation drop-offs on Long Island.
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Long Island is willing to look at a whole array of items. The society is willing to make pick-ups is you are donating at least two large furniture items. Otherwise, drop off clutter at society headquarters at 249 Broadway, Bethpage. Call 516-822-3132 or email info@svdpli.org.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island is a private, non-sectarian, nonprofit designed to provide for children facing adversity. The organization sends out mailers in advance of a town-wide pickup. It also makes phone calls to residents with listed phone numbers. Residents may schedule a personal pickup at your convenience by completing by calling 631-234-0000.
The Goodwill Industries store and donation center is a long-standing nonprofit chain with a range of pre-owned clothing, furniture, housewares and more. It is at 814 Hicksville Rd, Massapequa. Call 516-795-0237.
The Junior League of Long Island Thrift Shop in Roslyn, likewise, is a drop-off for used clothing for men, women and children, as well as shoes and housewares.
It is at 1395 Old Northern Blvd., Roslyn. Call 516-621-4890.
Finally, no listing of donation centers would be complete without the Salvation Army. That famed organization has numerous sites in Nassau County, including the Westbury Corps, 992 Prospect Ave., Westbury and Salvation Army Donation Boxes at the following locations: 2310 Jericho Tkpe., New Hyde Park; 193 Broadway, Bethpage; 360 Dogwood Ave., Franklin Square; 3660 Sunrise Hwy., Seaford; and 130 East Merrick Rd., Freeport.
