Moving to a new place is a great chance to declutter and give back to your community. Before you start packing, take a little time to sort through your stuff and donate anything you don’t need anymore. When you’re thoughtful about what you give away, you can make sure your items go to organizations that will really put them to good use. Whether it’s clothes or big furniture, donating can make your move easier, help others, and cut down on waste.

Here are some handy tips to help you donate thoughtfully and pick the right local organizations to support before your big move.

1. Start by Sorting and Organizing

The first step to a successful donation effort is getting organized. Go room by room in your house and sort your stuff into piles: keep, donate, or toss. Think about how much each item means to you and whether someone else might get more use out of it.

Things you might want to donate include:

Clothing you no longer wear
Shoes and accessories
Kitchenware like pots, pans, or utensils
Gently used furniture
Small appliances you no longer need
Books, CDs, and DVDs
Baby gear and toys your children have outgrown

When sorting your donations, make sure everything’s clean and in good shape. Most donation centers won’t take items that are broken, badly damaged, or unusable.

2. Focus on Local Organizations

Want to make your donations really count? Support local charities and programs! Every community has its own unique needs, so donating nearby helps make sure your items go to the people who need them most.

Plus, it’s a great way to give back to the place you call home—just like Go Mini’s. Locally owned and operated, Go Mini’s is all about supporting communities and helping out where it’s needed, and your donations can do the same.

Here are a few ideas for where to donate locally:

Homeless shelters are always a great place to donate gently used clothes, coats, and blankets. These can give much-needed comfort to people, especially when it’s cold out.
Professional quick-start programs serve individuals entering or returning to the workforce. Donate business attire like suits, dress shirts, or professional shoes to help someone dress for success.
Furniture banks and some charities might take bigger items like dressers, beds, and dining sets. These programs usually help by giving furniture directly to families or individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
Thrift stores run by local charities are another great option for household goods and clothing. Many thrift shops, especially ones run by nonprofits, put all their proceeds right back into the community.

Before you load up the car, give your chosen charity a call or check their website for guidelines. Some organizations have restrictions on what they can take, and it’s always best to double-check.

3. Clothing Donations That Make a Difference

Clothes are probably the first thing most of us think about donating. They’re easy to pack, and there’s always someone who can use what you’ve outgrown. But where should they go? Here are some easy suggestions to make your donations work harder:

Homeless shelters or warming centers are great spots for winter coats, socks, and comfortable shoes.
Nonprofits focused on job readiness, like Dress for Success, are happy to accept professional clothing like blazers and slacks.
Everyday clothes can be donated to resale shops like Goodwill or The Salvation Army. The proceeds support programs like job training, housing, and more.

Got a lot of clothes? Check if there’s a drop-off bin or local drive nearby to make things even simpler.

4. Consider Charities Offering Free Pickup

Dealing with the chaos of a move usually means your time is stretched to the limit. Luckily, some charities make it easy by offering free donation pickups. This can save you the hassle of hauling items out yourself.

Some great choices for pickup services include:

If you’re not sure where to start, organizations like DonationTown, Pickup Please, and PickUpMyDonation make it easy to search for local organizations and schedule a pickup with just a few clicks.

5. What to Do with Old Furniture, Mattresses, and Appliances

Sometimes it’s not the little things, but the big ones—like your extra couch or that old dryer—that you want to part with. These items can be tricky to move and donate, but don’t give up! Many organizations actively look for furniture and appliances in good condition.

Here's how you can get started:

Reach out to furniture banks for things like tables, sofas, or dressers.
Ask housing organizations or shelters if they’re accepting clean mattresses, especially if they’re still in decent shape.
Donate functioning appliances like microwaves or washers to groups helping families set up new homes.

If you’re thinking about donating large items, check if your local charity offers free pickup.

6. What NOT to Donate

Not everything can (or should) find a new home. Some items, even if well-meaning, might not be useful to—or even accepted by—charities.

Damaged or heavily stained furniture and mattresses
Cribs and car seats
Cosmetics and toiletries
Oversized items like massive entertainment centers
Non-working appliances
Anything that would require costly repairs to be usable

When in doubt, just ask! A quick phone call lets you know whether a charity can take your item off your hands.

7. Pack Donations with Care

Once you’ve chosen what to donate, pack it carefully so it’s ready to go. Here are a few tips to get you started:

Clean your items: Make sure everything’s in good shape and won’t cause any unpleasant surprises for the charity.
Use sturdy boxes: If you’re packing multiple items, make sure your containers can handle their weight. This helps prevent accidents like cardboard boxes breaking open during transit.
Label clearly: Don’t let anyone have to guess what’s inside! Clearly label each box with what it contains so staff knows where to put it.
Keep similar items together: Grouping similar items together also makes them easier to sort later on. For example, put all your books in one box and kitchenware in another.
Watch fragile items: If you’re donating anything delicate, wrap them up in bubble wrap or newspaper to keep them safe.

Finally, don’t forget about your donation until the last minute. Many charities need time to schedule pickups or plan to add your items to their next donation drive. If you’re using a Go Mini’s storage container during your move, think about dedicating part of it to donations. That way, you can easily separate what’s going and what’s staying.

Moving On and Giving Back

Donating your gently used items is a win-win before any move. You declutter your home, cut down on what you need to pack, and help out your neighbors all in one go. When you give to local charities, you’re making sure your donations have a real impact in your own community.

Take a little time to look into what local charities need and schedule pickups if necessary. With a bit of planning, you can make your move easier while helping out those who need it most.

Moving soon? Get an instant quote from your local Go Mini’s and make your move simpler with our convenient portable storage solutions!