Where to Donate Items
The Green Sanctuary Team would like to help you with your New Year’s Resolutions to declutter, become more sustainable, and support our community – all at once!
Here is a list of places to donate those extra things that have accumulated in your garage, basement, and closets. Please call ahead to make sure that each organization still accepts these types of items. This list was updated in December 2021.
Do you know of additional donation sites? Please send suggestions to Mimi Katz at mimikatz19@gmail.com
Animal Shelters
What they accept: Many animal shelters accept used towels.
Where it is: Contact your local shelter.
Bethesda House
What they accept: Clothing
Where it is: 834 State St., Schenectady NY 12307
Contact:518-374-7873
Website: https://www.bethesdahs.org/index.php
Buy Nothing Project
What they accept: members post items to repurpose
Website: Rotterdam https://www.facebook.com/groups/383820872380343/about/
Website: National https://buynothingproject.org
City Mission
What they accept: Clothing (including rags), furniture, eyeglasses, jewelry, handbags, games, videos, and household items
Where it is: Drop-off locations (including the City Mission store in Glenville) https://citymission.com/donate/clothing/
Contact: https://citymission.com/contact/ or main office 518-346- 2275
Website: https://citymission.com/donate/clothing/
Craig’s List Free Stuff
What they accept: Whatever you want to repurpose
Where it is: your driveway or doorstep
Contact: you
Website: https://newyork.craigslist.org/d/free-stuff/search/zip
Hours: you decide
Dress for Success – Albany
What they accept: women’s work clothes (suits, blouses, professional separates including blouses, slacks, skirts, dresses, blazers, jackets, shoes, jewelry, scarves, handbags.)
Where it is: 333 Sheridan Avenue, Albany, NY 12206
Contact: Call for donation days and hours at 518-463-3175
Website: https://albany.dressforsuccess.org
Eyeglasses
Most optometrists collect used eyeglasses to donate.
Alternatively, check the Lions Club for nearby sites (including the Glenville City Mission store):
https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/explore-our-clubs/eyeglasses-and-hearing-aids-recycling
Freecycle
What they accept: Whatever you want to repurpose
Where it is: your driveway or doorstep
Contact: you
Website: https://www.freecycle.org
Hours: you decide
GE Elfun Computer Rehab
What they accept: computer equipment to rehab for schools and not-for-profits
Where it is: Downtown Schenectady GE gate on corner of Edison Ave. and Old River Rd.
Contact: Terry Lustofin elfpcrehab@ge.com 518-385-9606
Website: http://www.computerrehab.org
Grassroots Givers
What they accept: For list see https://www.grassrootgivers.org/donate-goods
Where it is: 522 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12203
Contact: 518-599-5157 or info@grassrootgivers.org
Website: https://www.grassrootgivers.org/donate-goods
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9-1:30 pm by appointment only.
Habitat ReStores
What they accept: furniture, appliances, housewares, building materials and more.
Where it is: For map of drop-off locations https://www.habitat.org/local/restore?zip=12308
Website: https://www.habitat.org
Hearing aids
Most audiologists collect used hearing aids to donate.
Alternatively, you can check the Lions Club for nearby sites:
https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/explore-our-clubs/eyeglasses-and-hearing-aids-recycling
Heritage Home
What they accept: furniture, unopened personal care products & medical supplies – contact first.
Where it is: 1519 Union St., Schenectady NY 12309
Contact:518-374-6921, jschramm@heritagehome4women.net
Website: https://www.heritagehome4women.net
Hours: All donations must be scheduled.
Historic Albany Foundation
What they accept: Building materials
Where it is: 89 Lexington Ave, Albany, NY 12206
Contact: 518-465-2987
Website: https://www.historic-albany.org/warehouse
Hours: Friday 11:00-5:00, Saturday 9:00-4:00
Homeless and Travelers Aid Society Capital Region Furniture Bank
What they accept: Furniture, mattresses
Where it is: 5 Anderson Drive Albany, NY 12205
Contact: 518-612-2265, fb@hatas.org
Website: http://hatas.org/programs/capital-region-furniture-bank/
Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-3:30
Schenectady Co. Public Library (main branch) loading dock
What they accept: Books
Where it is: parking lot loading dock at 99 Clinton St., Schenectady, NY, 12305.
Website: http://www.scpl.org
Hours: 9:00 – 12:00 Monday-Saturday
Schenectady Greenmarket swap table
What they accept: Books, magazines, puzzles
Where it is: Outside City Hall or inside Proctors
Website: https://www.schenectadygreenmarket.com
Hours: Sunday 10:00-2:00
Schenectady Home Furnishings
What they accept: Furniture, household items, small appliances, medical equipment and supplies
Where it is: 603 State St., Schenectady NY 12305
Contact: 518-346-2444 or email homefurninc@aol.com to arrange for truck pick-up or warehouse drop-off of items.
Website: http://www.schenectadyhomefurnishings.org/donate-furniture/
Schenectady Urban Farms
What they accept: Garden tools in good condition
Where it is: Brandywine Ave. entrance of Vale Cemetery
Website: https://www.sicm.us/about-us/schenectady-urban-farms/
Contact: Melissa MacKinnon MelissaM@sicm.us, 518-374-2683
Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM)
What they accept: Contact first – nothing is listed on the website. We have donated yarn, reusable shopping bags, calendars, greeting cards, and wrapping paper squares.
Where it is: 839 Albany St, Schenectady, NY 12307
Contact: 518-346-4445
Website: https://www.sicm.us
Sojourn House (SCAP women’s shelter)
What they accept: clothing, perhaps other items – contact first.
Where it is: Upper Union St. Schenectady (address is not publicized)
Contact: Daryl (director) 518-346-6503
Hours: All donations must be scheduled.
Things of My Very Own
What they accept: Furniture, mattresses, household items, small appliances, clothing
Where it is: 249 Green Street, Schenectady, NY 12305
Contact: 518-630-5143
Website: https://thingsofmyveryown.org
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Unity House (ReStyle)
What they accept: clothing, handbags, tote bags, bedding & towels, jewelry, books
Where it is: 2431 Sixth Avenue, Troy, NY 12180
Website: https://www.unityhouseny.org/how-to-help/thrift-store-donations/
Hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 – 3:00.
Contact: 518-274-2067
Upstitch
What they accept: yarn, material, sewing notions, quilting tools, embroidery hoops, sewing machines, and more
Where it is: 350 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208
Website: https://www.up-stitch.com/donate-1
Hours: Saturdays 1:00-4:00, by appointment only
Contact: (518) 618-2945; volunteers.upstitch@gmail.com
Tri-City/Predel Recycling – compensated recycling, not a donation
What they accept: Scrap metal – cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, copper, lead, & more
Where it is: 201 Edison Ave., Schenectady, NY 12305
Website: https://www.tricityrecycling.net
Hours: Monday through Saturday 7:00 – ?.
Contact: 518-346-3445
U.S. Committee on Refugees and Immigrants Albany field office
What they accept: linens, household products, toiletries, gift cards. Check whether donations are still being accepted.
Where it is: 99 Pine St. Albany NY 12207
Website: https://refugees.org/uscri-albany/
Contact: 518-459-1790, info@uscri-albany.org
Vehicles
What they accept: Many organizations accept donations of cars, motorcycles, boats, and other vehicles. For example: WAMC, U.S. Committee on Refugees and Immigrants Albany field office, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity. Check with your favorite charities.
YWCA
What they accept: For list of items see https://www.ywca-neny.org/wish-list/
Where it is: 44 Washington Ave, Schenectady, NY 12305
Contact: kmeltzer@ywca-neny.org or 518-374-3394 x123.
Hours: All donations must be scheduled.