Answer Woman: Where to donate clothes, goods while spring cleaning?

ASHEVILLE - A reader asks for suggestions on how to donate personal items to places that make an impact in the local community. Email Executive Editor Karen Chávez at KChavez@citizentimes.com and your question could appear in an upcoming column.

Question: This Sunday’s Citizen’s Times (March 5, 2023) has so many good articles and columns, I am thrilled at your article on women in journalism, editorials featuring great women voices. Nancy William’s column is always appealing. In fact it is Nancy’s column that triggers an “Answer Woman’s” question. For the past year I have been preparing for an eventual move to a CCRC and slowly moving household goods, clothing, furniture. Like Nancy I do not just want to pack up a truck and drop everything at Goodwill. I want to make meaningful choices. Answer Woman, what/where are good community resources for donating these goods or using consignments?

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Answer: In the words of the great Jiminy Cricket, “Let your conscience be your guide.”

Choosing where – and if – to donate those items you pull out of your closet and off your shelves is up to you. Many local charitable and service organizations and outreach ministries have programs accepting in-kind donations that go directly to those they serve in the community.

Eblen Charities, a local nonprofit founded 32 years ago, aids low-income families with financial assistance, rental assistance, utilities and medical expenses, and they also host outreach events that rely on the community’s in-kind donations.

“We actually serve our community. A lot of times when people donate, they may not necessarily go back into the community they live in,” said Kathy Soule, development and events director for Eblen Charities. “Everything that we get ― like our coat giveaway and prom dresses giveaways (are) for all local girls and Buncombe County and Western North Carolina residents that need help, so you’re really making a difference in your own community.”

On April 21, Eblen Charities will kick off a coat drive ― accepting coats, hats, gloves and scarves ― with a giveaway to follow in October. A back-to-school supply drive and giveaway will be held in August.

The nonprofit’s Prom Dress Express giveaway recently concluded, but the donation center continues to collect new and gently used formal dresses, shoes, jewelry, handbags, wraps/pashminas and other accessories for students to wear to proms, military balls and other formal dances.

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“We also have a project where underprivileged families can come shop for free and get new presents for their kids to the holidays and we go all the way from newborn up to 18 years of age,” Soule said. “When we see the smile on their faces and the relief, it just gives us so much joy. That’s what it’s all about. Let’s just help people participate in life events without feeling stressed or like they can’t do it because they can’t financially afford to do it.”

Here are some other local programs to consider while cleaning out the closet this season and throughout the year:

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity operates several “ReStores” and the organization states that “proceeds from sales help fund Asheville Habitat’s building programs and help cover administrative and fundraising expenses” and helps “build and repair safe, affordable housing in Buncombe and Madison County, North Carolina.” Donations accepted include building materials, furniture, housewares, appliances, cars, boats and more.

The local stores are open to donations and shopping: Asheville Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 31 Meadow Road and Weaverville Habitat for Humanity ReStore at 61 Weaver Blvd.

For more, visit shopashevillerestore.org.

Asheville Poverty Initiative

Asheville Poverty Initiative, a nonprofit, accepts items including cleaning supplies – such as disinfectant wipes, mops, brooms and dish soap – paper towels, toilet paper, gardening tools, trash bags, pop-up tents, and unused, pre-packaged plastic eating utensils that are donated to community members in need.

Drop off items at 12 Baskets Café, the organization's dining facility that provides free lunches and groceries to the public, from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday and Friday at 610 Haywood Road in West Asheville.  Food pantry items are not accepted but nonperishable food may be donated to MANNA FoodBank. For more, visit ashevillepovertyinitiative.org/donate.

B.E.A.R. Closet

B.E.A.R. Closet, an outreach program operated by Givens Life Ministries, collects basic supplies needed to care for newborns and small children and provided for struggling families across several counties. Donations and most items are provided for free while “some larger equipment items are loaned out at no cost and returned when outgrown or no longer needed so it can be loaned out to another family in need,” according to the guidelines. Car seats are offered for a nominal donation. The organization accepts new or clean gently used clothing (preemie to size 6), functional baby equipment and cribs that meet current national safety standards.

To donate, call the B.E.A.R. Closet nearest to confirm what days the outreach is open and when they are accepting donations. If prompted to leave contact information on voicemail, one of the volunteers will return the call within 24 hours. For more about donation guidelines and other ways to give, visit bearcloset.org/support/.

Eblen Charities

Eblen Charities hosts several drives and giveaways in support of low-income families throughout the year. For updates on donation collection dates and giveaways, visit eblencharities.org.

Donations may be dropped off from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Eblen Charities offices at 50 Westgate Parkway in the Westgate Shopping Center Asheville. For questions or to donate, contact Kathy Soule at ksoule@eblencharities.org.

Hearts with Hands

Hearts with Hands, a disaster relief outreach ministry, accepts new and unopened food, cleaning supplies, baby supplies, bedding, clothing, paper supplies, pet supplies, hygiene kits and medical supplies.

To schedule a donation drop-off, contact the Hearts With Hands warehouse, located at 850 Warren Wilson Road in Swannanoa, or call 828-667-1912 or send a message via heartswithhands.org/contact.

Homeward Bound of WNC

Homeward Bound of WNC accepts in-kind gifts at its Beverly Hanks Welcome Home Donation Center, including clean, gently used furniture and household goods, as well as unopened cleaning supplies and toiletries. The collected items are “distributed to individuals and families who are moving out of homelessness and into housing.”

Drop off items from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Monday-Friday at 205 Elk Park Drive, Woodfin. Also, donation bins are in front of the facility and accessible 24/7.  To schedule pick-ups of furniture or other large items, call 828-412-5322.

For a list of needed items and other ways to give, visit homewardboundwnc.org/donate-items/.

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Spring cleaning? Charitable places to donate goods in Asheville