Tips on donating clothes, other items this holiday season

Published 12:23 pm Monday, December 3, 2018

The holiday season is a time when people wanting to give in ways others than money eagerly donate clothes, toys and other items taking up space in their closets, basements and other areas of the home.

While local missions and thrift stores are more than happy to accept such generous acts of goodwill, there are a few things you need to know before you start loading up boxes of goods to deliver to them. Following is information about several area organizations (i.e. days and times to donate, items accepted) to help make your act of goodwill easier — for you and them.

The Salvation Army Thrift Shop, 2306 North Frontage Road, Meridian, Phone: 601-483-9570.

Meridian’s Salvation Army Family Thrift Store supports the local affiliate’s many outreach programs by turning reusable goods into much needed funding, according to Major Kim Yung, who, along with her husband, is an officer of the Salvation Army of Meridian.

Proceeds generated at the Family Thrift Store are invested into the many outreach programs managed by the Social Services Department. Shopping at or donating goods to the Family Store location is not only helpful to donors, but also enables The Salvation Army to serve more individuals in need, Yung said.

Donated items not only are sold in the thrift store, but clothing and furniture vouchers are provided to fire victims, and clothing vouchers to homeless individuals with pending job interviews or other appointments.

The local thrift store accepts clean, gently used clothes, household items (i.e. plates, glasses, what-nots), furniture, new toys and new mattresses. Donations accepted Tuesday-Saturday, from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Pickup available for furniture and other large items on Wednesday.

Thrift store hours are Monday-Saturday, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to sort clothing and assist with the store. For more information, call 601-483-9570.

Hope Village Thrift Shop, 2710 Eighth St., Meridian, Phone: 601-483-7009.

In operation for nearly 15 years, the Hope Village Thrift Shop has “a little bit of everything and everything in between” the store’s general manager Patricia Garnett said.

This includes clothing, toys furniture and even a bridal room. All proceeds from the thrift shop benefit Hope Village for Children.

The thrift shop accepts clean, gently used clothes, household items (i.e. plates, glasses, what-nots), furniture and toys. Donations accepted Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

“We have a donation door at the side of the building,” Garnett said. “Just ring the door bell and someone will help you load your donations into the building.”

Pickup is available for furniture and other large donations. Call 601-553-8660

Thrift shop hours are Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Saturday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to help sort items. For more information, seen the manager during store hours.

ASLANe’s Mission Thrift Store, 5314 Dale Drive, Marion, Phone: 601-531-3176 or 601-616-7301.

In operation since 2015, ASLANe’S Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to the social re-integration of dispossessed individuals through aggressive advocacy and social welfare work.

“We share the love of Christ as we build relationships that will make real life changes,” said Christy Rainer, CEO and owner. “We work tirelessly to meet the needs of East Mississippi’s impoverished and homeless community, providing resources such as lodging, food, supplies, medical care, and job placement.”

The thrift shop accepts clean gently used clothes, household items (i.e. plates, glasses, what-nots), furniture and other items. Donations accepted during regular store hours, Monday-Saturday, from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Pickup is available for furniture and other large items.

God’s Closet, 584 East Main St., Suite C-2, Philadelphia, Phone: 601-663-5300.

A ministry of First United Methodist Church’s United Methodist Women, God’s Closet was established in 2013 to provide the basic needs for local school-age children, said Brenda Vowell, who is co-chairman with Betty Irons.

God’s Closet provides uniforms, clothing, and some school supplies at no cost to area children in Philadelphia and Neshoba County. Proof of residency and proper identification are required for registration.

  “We have close to 600 actively registered children ages 4 to 18,” Vowell said of the ministry, which operates on a quarter system.

Customers are able to shop in the store according to guidelines posted at the facility. Parents are encouraged to swap uniforms which have been outgrown for larger sizes.

God’s Closet accepts clean and gently worn clothing without visible stains or tears. Donations can include the following: school uniforms; children’s clothing for ages 4 to 18; coats;

shoes; new socks; belts; school supplies: tissues, hand sanitizer, pencils wide-rule notebook paper, wide-rule spiral notebooks, three-ring binders, backpacks, glue sticks, crayons, disinfecting wipes and monetary donations. The facility is open for donations and shopping Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, from 9 a.m.-noon.

God’s Closet is open to customers Saturday, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.