With the end of the year approaching, now is a great time to find a new home for all the extra stuff you might have laying around. If you find yourself ready to upgrade some of your household objects for the new year, or you just want to clear some clutter, it may be worthwhile to donate what you no longer need to the Arc Store before the end of the year. But where do you begin?

Survey your stuff

Naturally, the first step is to look around your house for things you aren’t using or are planning on replacing. Think of the customer as well; what might someone shopping at a second hand store be excited to find? After all, there’s plenty of hidden treasures waiting to be found.

Next, familiarize yourself with what NOT to donate. Most second hand stores have a list online to save you an unnecessary trip. The Arc Store’s A to Z list can be found here. This page has a list of donation ideas as well as the types of items that cannot be accepted. In general, be sure to look over your donation for any damage, as only items in good condition are acceptable.

Gather your goodies

Clothing is an obvious choice, since you may be updating your wardrobe soon anyway. In particular, last year’s winter clothing will make a great donation. Whether the clothing no longer fits or it’s just been sitting at the back of your closet for too long, anything clean and free of damage will make a great donation. Our motto at Arc is “If we won’t wear it, we won’t sell it.”

Household appliances and electronics that are still in working condition are also popular items. Go through your kitchen to find any redundant silverware or cookware – plenty of thrifty shoppers will appreciate these finds. Since these are popular gifts, it’s not a bad idea to send the old appliance to a second hand store. When you update your electronics, but the old ones are still in good working condition, don’t hesitate to donate those. At the Arc, we also recycle e-waste so be sure to bring all your unwanted electronics and we will take care of it all for you.  

Another great thing to donate is baby supplies. Infants can outgrow toys, clothing and accessories in a matter of weeks, so unless you have a friend with a child born a month after yours, taking these items to a second hand store is a great idea. We know it may be difficult to part with your baby’s favorite toys even after they no longer play them with, but a young family on a budget will likely appreciate the chance to buy them at second hand stores like the Arc Store.

Furniture items of all shapes and sizes are always a big hit at second hand stores. These are the larger types of donations that can really help stores attract customers. These are the “big ticket” items that, when sold, help keep the local community programs running. If you have older tables, chairs, dressers, bed frames or any outdoor furniture, be sure to use our drop off locations or call for a donation pick-up. This comes in handy when you’re donating larger furniture items.

Have an extra car or truck? Yes, you can go the extra mile by donating your vehicle to Autos for Arc. We accept any car or truck, any year, in any condition. We also take boats, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs and other vehicles. Your used vehicle can really help us make a difference. Drive up and drop off – or we’ll pick up your vehicle for free. You’ll get documentation of the fair market value for tax purposes. 

How to Donate

Once you’ve gathered everything you wish to donate, you have a few options. For most donations, store drop-off is the way to go. This can be done at any time during store hours at a pick-up location. If this doesn’t work for you, some second hand stores also allow a donation pick-up service at your home – including the Arc Store! Just contact us to set up a donation pick-up time!

Be sure to ask for your donation receipt for tax deduction purposes. We appreciate your donations and we hope you appreciate the tax deduction.

After that, you’re done. Way to go!  You’ve cleared up some clutter and contributed to your community.

When you donate or shop at the Arc stores in Chico, Paradise or Oroville, you are not only helping others save money, but all proceeds go directly back into the programs the Arc of Butte County, a non-profit organization provides for members of your community.

You’re helping our disabled staff members to work, gain job training, and paid work experience. The money from the sales of your donation supports services for nearly 900 families each year in Butte County.

For more information on the Arc and how your donations impact lives in your community, check out this free eBook: