It’s time for spring cleaning, and after a year spent mostly at home, your family may be more ready than ever to clear out the clutter. Rather than throwing away your gently used items, you can donate them to support good causes in your community. These five Philadelphia-area organizations accept children’s clothing and books, among other items, and use your donations to assist local people in need.
Crayons to Cradles
(215) 836-0958
Crayons to Cradles provides essentials to children living in poverty in the Philadelphia area. They accept like-new and new items for kids from newborn to age 12, including clothing, books and shoes. The organization conveniently has many donation drop-off locations throughout the greater Philadelphia area.
Our Closet
(267) 256-2179
Supported by Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Greater Philadelphia, the volunteer-run program Our Closet provides free clothing to vulnerable individuals and families in the greater Philadelphia region. Check their website for their most updated list of needs, which currently include children’s clothing. Our Closet is accepting donations at their Springfield, Pennsylvania warehouse by appointment only.
GreenDrop
1-888-944-3757
The GreenDrop charitable donation service collects used items, sells them to local thrift stores and donates the proceeds to one of four charities, including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Philadelphia, which provides basic necessities to our neighbors who need them most. GreenDrop accepts a wide range of children’s items, such as clothing, games, toys and books. You can schedule a pick-up or drop off your items at one of their many Philadelphia-area locations.
Reading Recycled
(215) 279-7450
To fulfill their mission of putting books into the hands of under-served children who may not have books at homes, Reading Recycled collects gently used and new children’s books that they distribute to families, shelters, schools and organizations in the Delaware Valley. Call or email to coordinate your donation.
West Philadelphia Alliance for Children
(215) 452-0333
This nonprofit promotes childhood literacy by opening libraries in Philadelphia public schools. They accept like-new or new hardcover books and new paperback books for kindergarten through 8th grade reading levels. Call or email to arrange a time to drop off books at their Philadelphia offices.
