5 places in Iowa to donate clothes, shoes, and more

Decluttering your home can provide such a satisfying feeling of accomplishment. After sorting through all of your belongings and determining what stays and what goes, you’re probably wondering about donation locations. If you’re looking to give back to your community, there are plenty of local organizations that are eager to accept donations of clothes, shoes, and household items that support various communities in need. Here’s a list of 5 alternatives to Goodwill where your contributions will make a big impact in Iowa.

1. House of Hope – Cedar Valley

While House of Hope appreciates monetary donations to help single mothers and children transition to self-sufficiency, the organization also is in need of gently used clothing, household items, and furniture. They regularly need women’s and children’s items—especially seasonal items depending on the time of the year. House of Hope particularly needs diapers, pull-ups, and formula. As you declutter your house and are thinking about where to donate your gently used items, consider House of Hope and how it helps women and their children get back on their feet. 

What They Accept: Women’s items; children’s items; household items; furniture

2. St. Vincent de Paul of Des Moines – Des Moines (Three Locations)

St. Vincent de Paul provides emergency assistance, workforce training, and support services to low-income individuals and families. Donating your items to one of their three thrift store locations across Des Moines ensures that proceeds from sales go to one of these efforts. The thrift stores do offer pickup for large items, but they ask that all small donations be dropped off in-person.

What They Accept: Clothing, shoes, furniture, and household items

3. Friends of the Family – Waverly and Waterloo

Friends of the Family offers shelter and resources for survivors of domestic violence, homelessness, and human trafficking. The organization recognizes that when people leave complicated or violent situations, they might do so quickly and leave necessities behind. Regardless of the situation, Friends of the Family aims to help individuals and families get a new start with items they need to set up a new home. Monetary donations are accepted, but they regularly need bathroom products, cleaning supplies, pet products, clothing, and hygiene products.

What They Accept: New clothing and undergarments; bathroom products; kitchenware and homewares; pet items

4. Central Furniture Rescue – Cedar Rapids

Central Furniture Rescue exists to provide furniture and household items to families and individuals transitioning from homelessness and into their own homes. The organization prioritizes recycling waste from landfills or selling overstock items. They also accept drop-off donations as well as pick-up donations. If you have furniture or household items that need a new home, Central Furniture Rescue might be the perfect place.

What They Accept: Furniture, kitchenware, household goods

5. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois – Iowa City

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois helps families access food, shelter, and support if their child is critically ill or injured. Donations help support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House while their children receive medical care.

What They Accept: New or gently used clothing, toys, household items, used vehicles

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