The best time to donate winter jackets and gear is in the fall as clothing drives are underway to help those in need keep warm during the winter. It is also easiest for thrift stores to sell and not store the items if you donate them in the fall.
Donated clothing items should be something a person could still feel confident wearing second-hand. If you’re not sure they are wearable, or the clothes are tattered, significantly stained and/or torn, please donate to a thrift shop that accepts unusable clothing so they can recycle it (such as Goodwill Industries).
Donate to:
- Schools – Many school districts hold donation drives in the fall or you can contact the school’s front office to see if there is a need.
- Churches – They can have a clothes closet and/or often work with charitable organizations who collect gear for their clients.
- Non-Profits – Several non-profits have coat closets or special winter gear drives in the fall to help get people the gear they need before winter starts. Places like Sharing and Caring Hands, Central Lutheran Minneapolis, Shop for Change, Joseph’s Coat will take your goods and give them to those who need them most. Please always check with an organization first to see if they are in current need of your items, as space can be limited to them. Non-profit thrift stores such as St Vincent DePaul and the Salvation Army also sell winter gear throughout the season to support their programs and will gladly take your donation.
- Thrift stores.
Sell or consign your gear:
- Choose to Reuse website -- Find a location near you for consigning and selling your used clothing.
- Nextdoor, Facebook groups, and Craigslist – Make your item/money exchanges in a designated safe zone, such as a police department.