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Editor’s note: Spring is in the air, which means tis the season to clean. But sometimes unwanted items can be a hassle to get rid of.
But never fear — help is here. In our series, we’ll offer hints on ways to get the piles out of your home or garage.
Let the de-cluttering begin!
Closets, shelves and garages easily can become chock full of items that are too good to throw away but aren’t being used anymore.
Maybe they are presents that just haven’t been used or clothes that used to fit but don’t anymore. The good news is there are several organizations in town that may be able to put those items to good use.
But remember when donating: Dirty, stained, non-working items can be a hassle for charities, which have to sort and dispose of items that are in poor condition. So if an item is trash-worthy, it’s better to throw it away than force volunteers to have to take time from their work to do the exact same thing — throw it away.
One local organization is the Agape Resource Center. The organization, which provides items to people in need, accepts clothes for all ages, including children’s clothes up through high school and adult clothes. The center tries to help adults find good professional attire, so items of that nature are appreciated.
The center also can use small appliances and houseware items, as well as medical equipment such as wheelchairs and toilet risers. They also always can use food donations.
They do not accept large furniture.
For more information or to check to see if the center can use certain items, call 283-1600 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons after 1 p.m.
While the Harvey County Homeless Shelter has need for many new items — such as paper products, medications and gift cards — it also may have use for some items you have lying around, such as pens, paper pads, lotion, toiletries, mops and brooms. For more information, contact the shelter at 283-7711.
There also are a couple of thrift stores in town, where proceeds go into charitable programs.
The Salvation Army accepts donations for its thrift store at 316 N. Main. Items are accepted Thursdays through Saturdays during business hours, and donations should be dropped off at the back door.
There are some items that are not accepted, though, such as: hazardous waste or appliances containing hazardous waste, car seats, broken or stained waterbeds, skis or exercise equipment, carpeting, used car parts (such as tires and batteries), heating and air-conditioning units (window AC units are OK), pianos, organs, furniture that is stained or needs repair, and hot water heaters.
Editor’s note: Spring is in the air, which means tis the season to clean. But sometimes unwanted items can be a hassle to get rid of.
But never fear — help is here. In our series, we’ll offer hints on ways to get the piles out of your home or garage.Let the de-cluttering begin!Closets, shelves and garages easily can become chock full of items that are too good to throw away but aren’t being used anymore. Maybe they are presents that just haven’t been used or clothes that used to fit but don’t anymore. The good news is there are several organizations in town that may be able to put those items to good use.But remember when donating: Dirty, stained, non-working items can be a hassle for charities, which have to sort and dispose of items that are in poor condition. So if an item is trash-worthy, it’s better to throw it away than force volunteers to have to take time from their work to do the exact same thing — throw it away.One local organization is the Agape Resource Center. The organization, which provides items to people in need, accepts clothes for all ages, including children’s clothes up through high school and adult clothes. The center tries to help adults find good professional attire, so items of that nature are appreciated. The center also can use small appliances and houseware items, as well as medical equipment such as wheelchairs and toilet risers. They also always can use food donations.They do not accept large furniture. For more information or to check to see if the center can use certain items, call 283-1600 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons after 1 p.m.While the Harvey County Homeless Shelter has need for many new items — such as paper products, medications and gift cards — it also may have use for some items you have lying around, such as pens, paper pads, lotion, toiletries, mops and brooms. For more information, contact the shelter at 283-7711.There also are a couple of thrift stores in town, where proceeds go into charitable programs.The Salvation Army accepts donations for its thrift store at 316 N. Main. Items are accepted Thursdays through Saturdays during business hours, and donations should be dropped off at the back door. There are some items that are not accepted, though, such as: hazardous waste or appliances containing hazardous waste, car seats, broken or stained waterbeds, skis or exercise equipment, carpeting, used car parts (such as tires and batteries), heating and air-conditioning units (window AC units are OK), pianos, organs, furniture that is stained or needs repair, and hot water heaters.Some items require prior approval, such as refrigerators, cribs and swingsets. Those with items can call 283-4008 to ask questions about possible donations.The Et Cetera Shop at 619 N. Main benefits the work of Mennonite Central Committee. The store does not accept TVs, computers, car seats or large appliances. All items should be clean, and small appliances should work.The store tries to make good use of items by recycling many items that don’t sell. Some are sold to partners with MCC to sell textiles to companies who deal in recyclables.The store also recycles glass and metal and works with Agape Resource Center to provide items the center might need.Donations are accepted from 9:30 a.m.to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays at the back door of the store (in the alley). Any deviation from this will be posted on a sign at the back door.And if none of these donation hot-spots float your boat, churches also can sometimes use items, or may know of partner agencies that can. Theater departments.can sometimes use old clothes, furniture items and other possible props.And then there’s always Freecycle. Freecycle is an e-mail list service where participants post items they want to get rid of or items they are in search of. There are a few restrictions (such as you can’t sell things on there and you can’t list your children), but it’s a great way to see if someone has use of your useless stuff. (And sometimes charities get involved, so you still may be able to get your items to a worthy cause.) To sign up, visit www.freecycle.org.
