Help a Mom: Where to donate small trinkets, random items

Posted: January 1

As we all clear out the clutter of Christmas and wonder where to put it all, a reader asks a question that might be on many of our minds. Here's what she wrote:

What do people do with the abundance of little trinkets and random small items that aren't trash, but can't necessarily be taken to Goodwill? I have a full bag of stuff like this ranging from Chick-fil-A meal books and cell phone cases to small stuffed animals and plastic cups. I don't want it in the landfill, but I'm not able to spend the time parsing it out either. I'd love ideas on this one!

Do you know of a local group that could use or take small items like our reader has on hand? Please share your tips in the comments box below. (If you don't see the comments box below, you'll need to log in or sign up for a WRAL account. You can do that by going to the top of the page and clicking on either "log in" or "register").

Help a Mom features questions from readers every Wednesday. If you have a question that you'd like to ask Go Ask Mom readers, click here to email it to me.

13 Comments

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How about donating them to Samaritan's Purse? I know that the items need to be small enough to fit in a shoebox and we always tried to have some fun items to include.

kcastleberry
January 1, 2013 9:19 p.m.

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Can you tell us how to donate to Samaritan's Purse? I think that sounds like a fine idea!

computer trainer
January 1, 2013 9:23 p.m.

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I worked in an elementary school for seven years and many parents donated small items to the teachers for classroom prize boxes.

shopestewart
January 1, 2013 9:27 p.m.

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Any non profit that serves families and children will take them! Dress for Success, Urban Ministries, Salvation Army, etc.

megrnc
January 2, 2013 6:49 a.m.

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There are usually participating churches in our area, but I'm not sure who is doing it right now. Here is a link to the website for more information. https://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Drop_Off_Locations/ We did it for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I know Scotty McCreary helps with these too because he actually helped deliver them. If I find out more information I'll post it here!

kcastleberry
January 2, 2013 7:22 a.m.

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The Scrap Exchange (in Durham) and the Cary Creative Center might also be interested in items like those.

eri815
January 2, 2013 10:20 a.m.

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You could Freecycle them http://www.freecycle.org . There are freecycle groups in all of the local counties. Carrboro also has a "Really Really Free Market" http://carrboro.com/reallyreallyfreemarket/ each month where people bring all kinds of things to give away. Also, some Solid Waste centers have a "Salvage Shed" where you could drop these types of things off and someone would be happy to give them another life! :)

jba1
January 2, 2013 11:58 a.m.

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I'd forgotten about those jba1, both very good suggestions also!

eri815
January 2, 2013 1:45 p.m.

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I donate everything and anything to durham rescue mission

caitlinduffy1157
January 2, 2013 2:18 p.m.

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Many elementary school teachers love trinkets as rewards for good behavior!

lilypony
January 2, 2013 3:13 p.m.

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