Donate Locally This Holiday Season

December 20, 2025

As the year winds down, many of us begin clearing out closets, reorganizing rooms or tackling the basement we’ve ignored since summer. Donating those items instead of tossing them is an easy way to end the year on a meaningful note.

Benefits for donors

For donors, the upside is immediate: a cleaner home, less clutter and potentially a tax deduction if the organization is a nonprofit. (Always check with a tax professional to understand your eligibility and how to document your contributions). There’s also something satisfying about knowing that the things you’re ready to part with can become exactly what someone else needs.

Benefits to planet Earth

On a broader scale, donating keeps usable goods circulating in a world that throws away far too much.

Furniture, clothing, craft supplies and household items all have longer lives than we tend to give them credit for. Passing them on instead of sending them to the landfill reduces waste and helps support a more sustainable way of living.

Benefits to nonprofits

Many Washtenaw County nonprofits turn these items into essential support for families — whether by selling them to fund services or giving them directly to people rebuilding their lives. In this way, your donated goods become a quiet but powerful piece of the community safety net. Donations are often the difference between meeting local needs and falling short. However your items are used, they move through the hands of organizations working every day to keep Washtenaw County strong.

During the holiday season — when demand rises and budgets tighten — these donations can be especially impactful. A single bag of donations may seem small, but together, community generosity creates real comfort and stability for neighbors who need it.

RELATED: Where to See Santa in the Ann Arbor Area

Places to Donate Items in Washtenaw County

Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop

Mission: Supports Ann Arbor Public Schools by generating revenue for PTO programs and student enrichment.
Accepts: Clothing, accessories, houseware, toys, books, small furniture, seasonal décor.
Distribution: Sold in the thrift shop; revenue is distributed to PTOs across Ann Arbor Public Schools.

2280 S Industrial Hwy, Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Thrift Shop

Mission: Provides emergency financial assistance to Washtenaw County residents through proceeds from donated goods.
Accepts: Clothing, shoes, houseware, linens, accessories, small furniture, jewelry.
Distribution: Sold in store; profits fund emergency aid for local residents.

3500 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor

Dawn Farm

Mission: Offers long-term addiction treatment and recovery support services for individuals seeking sustainable sobriety.
Accepts: Clothing, household goods, small furnishings.
Distribution: Items are used in treatment housing or sold through thrift partners to support recovery programs.

6633 Stony Creek Rd, Ypsilanti & 544 N Division St, Ann Arbor

Ele’s Place

Mission: Provides grief support programs for children, teens and families coping with the death of someone close.
Accepts: Books, games, art supplies, comfort objects, therapy materials.
Distribution: Used directly in grief-support programming for children and teens.

5665 Hines Dr, Ann Arbor

Hope Clinic

Mission: Provides free medical, dental and behavioral health care, plus food and basic-needs support, to individuals and families facing financial hardship.
Accepts: Medical and dental supplies (new), hygiene items, non-perishable food, baby care items, cleaning products.
Distribution: Used directly in medical/dental care or distributed free through their pantry and support programs.

518 Harriet St, Ypsilanti

Friends of the AADL Book Shop

Mission: Supports the Ann Arbor District Library through fundraising and volunteer service.
Accepts: Books, CDs, DVDs, puzzles, audiobooks, select magazines.
Distribution: Sold in the library shop; proceeds fund library programs and events.

343 S Fifth Ave, Ann Arbor (Downtown Library)

Friends of the Ypsilanti District Library

Mission: Supports Ypsilanti District Library programs, collections and community outreach.
Accepts: Books, DVDs, CDs, puzzles, games, select media.
Distribution: Sold through Friends sales; proceeds fund library programming.

5577 Whittaker Rd, 229 W Michigan Ave & 1900 Harris Rd, Ypsilanti

Goodwill Industries

Mission: Provides job training, employment services and community support funded through resale operations.
Accepts: Clothing, shoes, accessories, small furniture, books, toys, housewares, electronics in working condition.
Distribution: Sold in Goodwill stores; proceeds support local job training and employment programs.

6241 Jackson Ave, Ann Arbor, 3782 Carpenter Rd, Ypsilanti & 423 E Michigan Ave, Saline

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Mission: Builds affordable housing for local families by reinvesting revenue from donated goods.
Accepts: Furniture, appliances, cabinets, tools, building materials, lighting, décor.
Distribution: Sold in the ReStore; proceeds help fund Habitat home-building projects.

6241 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor

House by the Side of the Road

Mission: Provides free clothing and household items to Washtenaw County residents in need, with no cost or paperwork.
Accepts: Clothing, linens, household goods, small kitchen items, children’s items, toys, books.
Distribution: All items are given away for free to individuals and families in need.

2051 S State, Ann Arbor

House-N2-Home

Mission: Helps individuals transitioning out of homelessness by fully furnishing their new homes with donated items.
Accepts: Gently used furniture, kitchen supplies, linens, décor, lamps, small appliances, storage items.
Distribution: All items go directly into complete home setups (furniture, decor, kitchenware) for clients moving into housing.

5361 McAuley Dr, Ste 1125, Ypsilanti

Kiwanis Thrift Sale

Mission: Funds local youth programs, senior services, and community nonprofits through resale revenue.
Accepts: Furniture, clothing, tools, houseware, toys, sporting goods, collectibles, décor.
Distribution: Sold at the large community thrift sale; proceeds fund grants for youth programs and local nonprofits.

100 N Staebler Rd, Ann Arbor

Michigan Foster Care Closet

Mission: Supplies foster children and families with essential items at no cost during new placements and ongoing care.
Accepts: New or like-new children’s clothing, shoes, toys, games, backpacks, books, baby gear, bedding, toiletries.
Distribution: Given free of charge to foster families, often within hours of a placement.

37 Enterprise Dr, Ann Arbor

Peace House Ypsi

Mission: Offers a safe daytime space during the winter months for unhoused neighbors, providing warmth, connection and essential supplies.
Accepts: Seasonal clothing, blankets, disposable plates/cups/cutlery, hygiene products, non-perishable food, camping supplies.
Distribution: Items are given free of charge directly to guests at the warming center or through outreach volunteers.

Contact for drop-off coordination: 734-754-0648

Pet Pals Mutual Aid

Mission: Supports local pet owners facing financial insecurity by providing essential pet supplies so animals can remain in their homes.
Accepts: Pet food, treats, litter, leashes, collars, bowls, toys, grooming supplies.
Distribution: All supplies are distributed free to community members through mutual-aid networks and pop-up events.

Drop-off locations vary (coordinated via social media)

Saline Area Social Service

Mission: Provides food, financial assistance and essential resources to low-income families and older adults in the Saline area.
Accepts: Clothing, towels, linens, household goods, small appliances, hygiene items.
Distribution: Given free to families through their basic-needs program or made available in their assistance room.

1259 Industrial Dr, Saline

Salvation Army Family Stores

Mission: Supports rehabilitation services and social programs through the resale of donated goods.
Accepts: Clothing, household items, furniture, kitchenware, décor, small appliances.
Distribution: Sold in stores; revenue supports adult rehabilitation programs.

1621 S State St, Ann Arbor

Scrap Box

Mission: Inspires creativity and reduces waste by diverting reusable materials into art and education.
Accepts: Craft supplies, art materials, office supplies, yarn, fabric, paper, unusual reusable items.
Distribution: Sold at low cost to teachers, artists, parents and children, promoting creative reuse and sustainability.

4567 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor

The Share House

Mission: Provides household goods and furnishings at no cost to community members transitioning out of homelessness or crisis situations.
Accepts: Clothing, toys, books, housewares, furniture, linens.
Distribution: All donated items are provided free to clients referred by partner agencies.

5161 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor

The Thrift Depot

Mission: Supports local community programs by turning donated goods into affordable resale items and funding assistance initiatives.
Accepts: Clothing, toys, books, knick-knacks, household goods.
Distribution: Sold in-store; proceeds fund Depot Town outreach and assistance programs.

19 E Cross St, Ypsilanti

Ypsi Thrift Shop

Mission: Supports Ypsilanti-area nonprofits through proceeds from donated goods and volunteer-run resale operations.
Accepts: Clothing, toys, books, houseware, small furniture, knick-knacks.
Distribution: Sold in-store; profits are granted to local social-service organizations.

14 S Washington St, Ypsilanti