The start of a new season, holiday break or guests arriving at your house typically acts as a full-house cleanse, resulting in clothing, kitchenware, furniture and more getting thrown out, never to be seen or used again.

However, many times, a lot of these items — particularly clothing and shoes that have only been gently worn — are in good shape and could be used elsewhere and by others if donated.

Here in Tallahassee, there are a number of organizations that take donations for clothing/shoes and use their resources to get them to those who need them. Find out where these places are below.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend:

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Big Bend have placed “big purple bins” all throughout the city so that residents can drop off donations, including clothing, bedding, shoes, purses, and household items at them.

The donations “provide a revenue source that allows us to match more at-risk kids in our community and helps us create new jobs,” according to the group.

Big Bend Homeless Coalition:

The Big Bend Homeless Coalition accepts donations ranging from hairbrushes, to butter, to shoes and underwear, and has the mission of helping those “who are experiencing the crisis of homelessness in our community."

The Coalition is always in need of children’s diapers and shoes and new women’s and men’s underwear and new or gently used shoes.

Living Harvest:

The Living Harvest is a locally owned thrift shop that has locations all around the city.

It accepts clothing, shoes, furniture, wares, books and more for donation. 

The shops, run by volunteers, is a faith-based 501c3 non-profit organization that supports individuals and families who’ve been impacted by criminal justice. 

ECHO:

ECHO, the Emergency Care Help Organization, works to “reduce poverty by providing emergency resources and support services to people in need in the Big Bend” and primarily accepts donations of food and hygiene items.

They keep a small inventory of clothing for immediate needs, but pass excess clothing donations to Goodwill, who give them vouchers in return.