Waco Insider’s Guide on Where to Take Donations

Is it just us or are we all finally getting to switching out those long sleeves and stocking up on swimsuits for our kiddos? Special Thank you to our Sponsored Guest Bloggers | Casey Hooper & Kayleigh Cunningham, The Art of Neat

Art of Neat – Waco Donations Quickguide

Spring cleaning is here and in full swing! While you begin to purge your closet, playroom or garage this spring, remember right next to your “trash” pile, you’ll also have a “donate” pile. How do you decide if an item is okay to donate? The main and most important question you need to ask yourself is, “Is this item in good enough condition to be resold?”.

As personal organizers we haul away 3-10 bags per project of gently used items to be donated – along with equal amounts of bags filled with trash. Questions we often hear are, “Can I donate this item?” and “Where should I donate my items?” The great news is there are A LOT of great non-profit organizations in Waco where you can take your items!

We have compiled a list of organizations, their mission and tips on what they do and do not accept for you to reference during this year’s spring cleaning. We’ve also created a quick-guide PDF for you to print out and reference as you go!

Art of Neat – Waco Donations Quick Guide

If you have large items or are in doubt about an item, we recommend calling ahead to confirm with the organization if they have the need and space for your specific item(s).

Don’t see something on this list? Reach out and we’ll add your organization or help you find the best place to take your gently loved items. Simply email us at [email protected].

The Art of Neat would love to help you make sense of the space or area in your life where you feel stuck. If you’re interested in a complimentary consultation, simply fill out our online form here to get started. It only takes a few minutes! We can’t wait to be friends.

Casey Hooper & Kayleigh Cunningham
The Art of Neat

Happy Spring Cleaning, Waco!

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Caritas
Website
(254) 753-4593
300 South 15th Street

Caritas is committed to fighting poverty and food insecurity by providing access to vital resources to those who are most vulnerable.

• Donation Times: Monday thru Friday, 8am – 4pm
• Donation Notes: Accept non-perishable food items. Check expiration dates.

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CareNet
Website
(254) 772-8270
800 West Waco Drive

Care Net Pregnancy Center is a faith-based pregnancy center offering comprehensive services and programs to women facing a crisis pregnancy.

• Donation Times: Monday thru Friday, 8am – 5pm
• Donation Notes: Request an appointment time to drop-off large items. Please group like-sizes together and label bag appropriately. They accept baby clothes sizes newborn – 3T, cribs, car seats, toys, activity centers and all types of furniture & décor (not just baby), to help women furnish their homes.

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Cobbs Recycling Center
Website (254) 751-8536
2021 N. 44th Street

• Drop-off Times: Monday thru Saturday, 8am – 5pm
• Drop-off Notes: For convenient recyclables and waste drop-off in Waco visit Cobbs Recycling Center. Must show proof of residency. Will accept latex paint (5 gal limit, no rusty cans), computers, televisions and other unwanted electronics. Please visit site to review a comprehensive list of items they do and do not accept.

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Compassion Ministries
Website
(254) 755-7640
1421 Austin Ave

The goal of Compassion is to reintegrate homeless families with children and those families on the verge of homelessness into permanent housing and employment.

• Donation Times: Monday thru Friday, 9am – 4pm
• Donation Notes: Call to check on furniture needs. Accepts children and junior size clothes on hangers, small appliances, furniture, kitchen & and house hold items.
• Does Not Accept: Adult clothing or shoes.

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Dobey Drop-in Center
Website
(254) 297-8980
2111 Austin Ave

The drop-in center provides support for young adults entering the homeless system to ensure that their experience is brief and one-time.

• Donation Times: Monday thru Friday, 8am – 5pm
• Donation Notes: Gently used & new household items, furniture, plasticware, and non-perishable food items.

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Esther’s Closet
Website
(254) 753-3399
1020 Elm Ave, Bldg 700

Esther’s Closet is a self-sufficiency program to assist women in Waco. It provides interview and workplace outfits at no cost, as well as workforce training opportunities.

• Donation Times: 2nd Friday of the month, 10am – 2pm
• Donation Notes: Women’s clothing that is freshly laundered, free of stains, interview appropriate and on hangers.

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Goodwill
Website
Multiple Locations: 1700 S. New Road; 1508 Hewitt Drive; 2439 La Salle Ave; 1000 E Waco Drive

When you donate new and gently used items, your local Goodwill sells them in stores or on www.shopgoodwill.com and uses the revenue generated to provide valuable employment training and job placement services for people in your local community.

• Donation Times: Monday thru Saturday, 9am – 8pm & Sunday 10am – 7pm
• Donation Notes: Accepts most items – furniture, clothing, backpacks, purses, lunch boxes, coolers, home décor, books, etc.
• Does Not Accept: Opened games, opened puzzles, cribs, car seats or hangers.

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Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Website
(254) 756-0131
1224 Franklin Ave

Habitat ReStores help fund Habitat for Humanity’s mission to end substandard housing by building strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Profits from Habitat ReStores are put to use both in your local community and around the world.

• Donation Times: Wednesday thru Friday, 9:30am – 4:30pm & Saturdays, 9am – 2pm
• Donation Notes: Small and large donations of new or gently used non-fabric furniture, appliances, housewares, building materials, good paint. Call ahead and schedule with donation coordinator – can be a week out if you would like items to be picked-up.

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Hidden Treasures by Caritas
Website
(254) 753-0125
3912 Bosque Blvd

Caritas helps families, individuals and veterans in need through emergency services and case management programs. Support Caritas programs and services by shopping at and/or donating items to our Hidden Treasures Thrift Stores. Proceeds from both stores help fund Caritas programs.

• Donation Times: Monday thru Saturday, 10am – 2pm
• Donation Notes: Accepts household items, furniture and décor. Drive around back and ring a doorbell for drop-off.
• Do Not Accept: Mattresses, pillows or stuffed animals.

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Mission Waco Clothesline
Website
(254) 754-5463
1817 Franklin Ave

Provides Christian-based, holistic, relationship-centered programs that empower the poor and marginalized. All proceeds benefit the Mission Waco’s Manna House and Substance Abuse and Recovery Program.

• Donation Times: Tuesday thru Thursday, 8am – 10am; and Tuesday thru Saturday, 11am – 3pm
• Donation Notes: Accepts men, women & children’s clothing (including accessories like belts, shoes & jewelry) along with small household items; call to unload.

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Salvation Army
Website
(254) 756-7271
4721 W Waco Drive

The Salvation Army provides housing, food, financial and other assistance to those who are homeless or living in poverty.

• Donation Times: Monday thru Saturday, 9am – 4:30pm
• Donation Notes: Accepts furniture, mattress, box springs, TVs less than 10 years old, cribs, mattresses, non-expired car seats, clothing, backpacks, purses, lunch boxes, coolers, home décor, books and more.
• Does Not Accept: Games, toys, puzzles, pianos, hangers or dishwashers.

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Things from the Heart, Shepherd’s Heart Ministries
Website
(254) 235-2508
4014 Bosque Blvd

To help fund operating expenses for the Shepherd’s Heart food pantry; they offer clothing and household items at discounted prices. All proceeds after expenses are used to purchase food to feed the families that they serve each month.

• Donation Times: Monday thru Saturday, 9am – 5:30pm
• Donation Notes: Accepts household goods, glassware, clothes, shoes, toys, pots and pans, furniture in good condition and unexpired car seats.
• Does Not Accept: No mattresses, books or hangers.

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West Waco Library
Website 
(254) 745-6018
5301 Bosque Blvd

• Donation Times: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10am – 2pm
• Donation Notes: Gladly accept: Hardcover and paperback books in good condition. Music CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks in their original cases. Magazines – 2015 or newer. Encyclopedias – 2000 or newer. Textbooks – 2000 or newer
• Instructions for drop-off: Drive around the building to the loading dock in the back, Items left outside will be automatically discarded. Limit book donations to two boxes of items or less. Bring your materials in boxes or bags that you can leave at the library.

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