Donations, anyone?

October 20, 2012 3:32 PM

Charities in Southern California that accept appliances (a dryer) that ARE NOT the Salvation Army?

I have a dryer that I want to donate to a charity. When I moved here I brought it with me and found out after I moved that most dryers here are gas, this one is electric. I tried selling it on Craigslist with no luck. It works well and is in great shape, but the only charity that I found that will take appliances is the Salvation Army. I can't support an organization that discriminates like that, so is there another organization out there? I think it might fit in my CRV, but it would be better if there was a group that picked up. I am in Pomona. Bonus points for animal-related charities. Thanks!

posted by bolognius maximus to Grab Bag (10 answers total)

The Goodwill takes appliances, although I don't think they do pick-ups. Some local Habitat for Humanity franchises also take appliances for the homes they're building.

You also might have good luck calling local women's and homeless shelters to see if they'd be able to use it -- that is where I might start, if I were you. I do think you might have a tough time unloading it because so few Southern Californians use electric dryers (I've literally never even seen one).
posted by Countess Sandwich at 3:51 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]

Would you consider FreeCycling (doesn't need to be through FreeCycle, there is also ReUseIt, and I think Recycle Network)? While they aren't a charity in the strict sense, a lot of churches and charities do tell people to look at those services to get items that they need. FreeCycle, in my experience, people pick the item up from you.
posted by kellyblah at 3:52 PM on October 20, 2012

Vietnam Veterans of America might take it, but I'm not sure.
posted by MegoSteve at 3:53 PM on October 20, 2012

You might also want to try animal shelters.
posted by bleep at 3:55 PM on October 20, 2012

You could try your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore -- they pick up.
posted by Iris Gambol at 3:57 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]

We donated ours through a women's shelter that sets families up in new housing. Rarely these apartments have washer dryer hook ups, and when they do the women often cannot afford the appliances. In response, we got the most wonderfully genuine thank you note from a woman who could wash her clothes in her own home for the first time in her life.
posted by Nickel Pickle at 4:03 PM on October 20, 2012 [2 favorites]

Out of the Closet
posted by elsietheeel at 4:45 PM on October 20, 2012 [1 favorite]

St. Vincent de Paul is the least picky about the stuff they pick up--Out of the Closet the most.
posted by Ideefixe at 5:04 PM on October 20, 2012

Post it on Craigslist for free and I'm sure you can unload it quickly and easily.
posted by Slinga at 7:11 PM on October 20, 2012

I'd suggest craigslist or freecycle, unless you specifically want this to go to charity. If you just want it gone, those are the easiest options as the 'buyer' will come get it themselves.
posted by zug at 8:27 PM on October 20, 2012