Where to donate in NoVA?

October 14, 2006 1:49 PM

Where should we donate clothing, toys, household goods, books, etc. in Northern Virginia, that's not the usual Goodwill/Salvation Army, etc?

I'm helping my mom clean out her house this weekend, and we already have two vans full of 20 years worth of household goods, clothes, toys, books, etc. I'm already posting photos of the big stuff (furniture, etc.) in the free section of craigslist and the Fairfax Freecycle list, but what what should I do about all the other boxes of stuff? I've heard too many conflicting stories about the Goodwill and Salvation Army, to feel comfortable just dropping the stuff off there as usual. Ideally, I'd like to find something like the Baltimore Free Store, but without the long drive (though, of course, I will do it if I can't find a better alternative).

Any ideas on where this stuff would do the most good?

posted by sa3z to grab bag (4 comments total)

Btw, she lives in Chantilly, in case there's a need to narrow the options down. Anywhere in Northern Virginia would work though.
posted by sa3z at 2:16 PM on October 14, 2006

Value Village, AmVets and Purple Heart will all come to your house to pick up stuff if you have enough. Once you are on their list, they will call you regularly when they are in your neighborhood.
posted by TheRaven at 3:15 PM on October 14, 2006

I don't know any of these from personal experience, but from a web search I find:

Humane Society Thrift Store of Fairfax County

Thrift Stores, Fairfax County

Plces in Arlington County to donate books, clothes, etc.
posted by jeri at 6:43 PM on October 14, 2006

Thanks for all the great suggestions!
posted by sa3z at 5:26 PM on October 16, 2006