Donations for a Good Cause

For most people, the “letting go” step is the hardest part of minimizing and organizing. I’ve found it’s easier to part with an item when you know it’s going to help someone else in its next life. I even like to personify things. Ask yourself, “Are those extra items I’m keeping ‘just in case’ going to feel happier sitting in my home unused, or would they feel happier being used by someone who really needs/wants them?”

With that sentiment in mind, we’ve compiled this list of local charities here in Richmond, Virginia looking for your gently used items to help support our communities in need. If you feel there’s a charity I have missed, feel free to email me more information at hello@minimaonline.com.

Note—Be sure to contact the charity before making a donation drop off to confirm they are accepting items during COVID-19.

Blessing Warriors

Blessing Warriors provides food and resources to the homeless. They currently need summer clothing and non-perishable goods. | blessingwarriorsrva.com

Boaz & Ruth

“In Highland Park in Richmond, Boaz & Ruth advances a mission of rebuilding lives and communities through relationships, training, transitional jobs, and economic revitalization. Because Highland Park is in the center of six of the seven census blocks with the most number of returning folks from prison and jail, we have developed a formal reentry program to help individuals rebalance their lives.” | boazandruth.com

Caritas

“Our purpose is to provide effective, permanent solutions to individuals and families dealing with the crisis of homelessness and/or addiction in the Metro Richmond area.” | caritasva.org

Children’s Museum Book Bank

“By providing opportunities for children to read and be read to, the Book Bank program supports school readiness and literacy development in children.” | childrensmuseumofrichmond.org

ChildSavers

“ChildSavers guides our community’s children through life’s critical moments with trauma-informed mental health and child development services. We believe that all children can be safe, happy, healthy, and ready to learn.” | childsavers.org

The Clothes Rack

“The Junior League of Richmond (JLR) is an organization of women committed to the mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Clothes Rack generates funds for JLR programs in our community and membership training.” | jlrichmond.org

Diversity Richmond

“Diversity Richmond envisions a community where LGBTQ+ citizens are treated with respect and dignity, and their unique gifts are championed and celebrated, thereby strengthening our community.” | diversityrichmond.org

Dress for Success

“The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.” | dressforsuccess.org

Girls for a Change (GFAC)

“GFAC was formed in 2000. Since 2013, GFAC has focused more deeply on the empowerment and uplifting of a population whose needs are most unmet—Black girls and other girls of color. We, as an organization and movement, view this action as a first step to end the prejudice, poverty and lack of resources that leave Black girls and young women vulnerable at the margins of society.” | girlsforachange.org

Little Hands Virginia

“Little Hands Virginia makes sure children from birth to three years old have the essentials to thrive from day one. Working with our network of local agencies, shelters, hospitals and other nonprofits, we identify the needs of families in the city of Richmond [and surrounding areas]. We sort and bundle items, and deliver them to parents and children through our network of partners.” | littlehandsva.org

MAD RVA

“Mutual Aid Disaster Relief Richmond, or MAD RVA, aims to create a support system in response to COVID-19 and the effects it has had on Richmonders, including supply shortage, job losses and quarantine. We operate collectively and are primarily functioning as a supply delivery for folks who cannot access medicine, food and other vital goods.” | richmondmutualaid.wixsite.com

OAR of Richmond

“OAR of Richmond provides evidence-based and person-centered approaches to empower those impacted by incarceration to find individual success.” | oarric.org

YWCA Richmond

“YWCA Richmond is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.” | ywcarichmond.org