Resources

Donation places I use regularly:

Saver’s

Like Goodwill but better. They proceeds benefit PARCA. They take almost everything (clothing, accessories, homewares and goods, some furniture, books, etc.) but you have to bring it to them. They also have the best donation hours (9am-8pm daily, including many holidays): 875 Main Street, Redwood City, 94061

Habitat for Humanity Restore

I go to the San Carlos store but they have them all over the bay area (and country). They take items to resale (furniture and home decor) as well as items people can use for remodel projects. They are able to come and pick items up but this needs to be approved of and scheduled in advance (you’ll need to send photos/dimensions and information on items in advance via email for approval). 4111 Industrial Rd, San Carlos, CA 94070

Remoov

This unique company will help you do a big clean out, taking items to consign, items to donate and items that need to be recycled/disposed of. You contact them with the items (photos, measurements, info) and they will put a quote together. Super efficient and usually cheaper than 1800GotJunk and you have the opportunity to make money back on the consignments. Ask for Luis, Andrew or Yolanda and mention NAPO-SFBA for 15% off your pickup.

LifeMoves

Takes kitchen items, bedding, kids toys/books, some housewares (lamps, vases, decor) and clothing (men, women, children). They also take toiletry donations (new; full size bottles). You have to bring donations to them: MWF 1pm-4pm, 110 Locust Street, Redwood City, 94061; ask for Franco or Rebecca.

Second Harvest

Food bank which will take some perishable (nothing that needs to be frozen or refrigerated, so mostly fruits/veggies) and non-perishable foods, and they are ok if the food is expired but only within the last year: 1051 Bing Street, San Carlos, 94070

Ecumenical Hunger Program

Located in East Palo Alto they take clothing/toys, furniture/decor and food donations. The are one of the few places that will come and pick up your items, but you need to contact them and send a list in advance with photos and measurements and get approval: 2411 Pulgas Ave, E. Palo Alto, CA 94303

Redwood City Catholic Worker House

Housing for teens and those needing assistance. They take gently used toiletries, housewares, clothes, etc. They have a veranda/front porch and whatever they can’t use they leave for others to take (most things that are left on their porch are taken by the local homeless population). I’ve even brought some food items (again nothing too expired and nothing super perishable): 545 Cassia Street, Redwood City, 94061; just near the Taco place and near Saver’s.

The Shop

On Santa Cruz Ave in Menlo Park. It benefits The Junior League. Robbie (owner) runs a nice shop and she is one of the last stores that itemizes and sends a receipt to you with a value for items she sells. What she can’t sell she takes to The Goodwill down the street but doesn’t give you a receipt for it. Take donations to the backdoor Tues-Sat during business hours: 785 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, 94025

Pets in Need

I take gently used pet toys, beds, leashes/collars and unopened/unexpired food here. They are very grateful for donations: 871 5th Ave, Redwood City, 94063

Woodside High School/Theater Group

I take office supplies and some odd donations (like a rotary phone or an old naval uniform or really old books that could be used for sets or props for the theater group to the high school. You might go to a school closer to you or find a local theater group and ask if they want X, Y or Z for props. Take to the main administrative building (in the circle): 199 Churchill Ave, Woodside, 94062

Selby Lane Elementary School

I take arts/crafts and school supplies here and they are always appreciative. I’ve also taken musical instruments. I usually drop them in the main office and the principal (Warren) reviews them; they can provide a receipt if you ask for it: 170 Selby Lane, Atherton, 94027

SCRAP

I got here several times a month, especially recently. They take fabrics, paints, used canvases, corks, buttons, anything that can be used by artists for creating arts. They are located in San Francisco (off Caesar Chavez/101 exit) and take donations 10am-4pm Tuesday through Saturday: 801 Toland St, San Francisco, 94124

RAFT

This is a great place to take arts/crafts and school supplies as well. They have a location in Redwood Shores and one in San Jose. I’ve gone there only a few times but they took everything. You’ll need to check their website for hours of donation: 101 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City, 94065

LIBRARIES

Local libraries will take books for their Friends of the Library fundraisers. That’s typically where I take most books. I also take books to Saver’s (especially cookbooks and coffee table books) and kids books go to the schools or to Ronald McDonald House (only new though).

Renovation Angel

Recently learned about this organization. They want you to send photos/dimension of the items you want to donate. They then send a specialist to come see everything and arrange for a moving company to come get the items (for free). They’ll give you a donation receipt. It looks like a great charity!

Oakland Museum of Art, White Elephant Sale

A client is using this to donate some art/furniture/decor and they put it in the annual sale. We had to approve the donations with photos in an email to the contact. They would *not* take a piano. Anyway, they also pick up (for free) and provide a receipt.

There’s also St. Vincent de Paul (although I haven’t used them in several years) and Goodwill or the Salvation Army. These have not been my favorite places so I don’t tend to use them ever but they are options.

For clothing/furniture consignments:

TheRealReal

I can connect you with people if you want; they will only take certain designers and are picky about clothes but let me know if you want to know more about this option. They have a world-wide reach and decent consignment rates. I’ve had a lot of success with this place with clients. You’ll send items to them by mail – they usually pay for shipping.

Fillmore & 5th

They will only take clothing for the current season and you don’t get a lot out of them but I’ve had success with clients’ consigning here and have even shopped here myself (cute stuff). They are very easy to deal with and send checks without needing to follow up. Call to check on donation hours (I believe Tues-Sat certain hours when the manager is there): 855 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, 94301

Afterwards

They are a home and clothing consignment option in Menlo Park, but I don’t use them often, if at all, because I’ve had to chase them for money (on behalf of clients). Read the agreement carefully as you have a specific number of days to have items on sale before you have to pick them up or they become inventory of the store. A few of my clients have had great success with them, but I find it too much work to follow up on the items at each interval and then make sure to get them picked up before they take possession of them. 1159 El Camino Real, Menlo Park, 94025

Home Consignment Center

I think they also have one in San Jose or in Santa Clara County that might be closer to you. They will take furniture but you have to schedule a pickup (and sent them photos in advance of what you want to consign) and you have to pay to deliver the items there. I’ve not actually used them before with clients. We usually go another route. 1123 Industrial Rd A, San Carlos, 94070

For other clothing donations:

Dress for Success

San Jose or San Francisco; they take clothing for women looking for jobs/appropriate attire. My stylist donates to them all the time.

Other options for selling items online:

eBay

But only for items you know you’ll get a good return on; online selling takes a lot of time and patience. I know someone who can possibly list the stuff for you and you pay her a commission.

Poshmark

I do not personally have an account here but it’s good for clothing/accessories.

Nextdoor

By far the best tool for me to get strange items (boy scout memorabilia; photo dark room supplies; etc.) to homes and out of the landfill. I have tips for posting so you’ll get more views

Chairish

I’ve had a lot of success with this website. They require a lot of information but they have a worldwide reach and help out with shipping. I love using them.

Viyet

Just like Chairish but even higher end.

I have a plethora of other resources for donating and recycling various items (medications, shoes, ink, prescription glasses, etc.).

I also have connections to appraisers who can help you find out the value of items and introduce you to sellers who would be interested in consigning. I used to work in the auction world (Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Bonhams) so can connect you with people there if you’re interested in going that route. Please just reach out and ask!