Where to Donate Physical Items in South Jersey: A Resource Guide
No one likes to throw away perfectly good items when decluttering, but many people don’t know where to donate them. As a result, a lot of items that could go to good use end up in a landfill or stuffed in bags and totes in the back of storage spaces waiting to be dealt with.
Part of my job as a professional home organizer and decluttering specialist serving Cherry Hill and South Jersey isn’t just helping you decide what to release. It’s making sure the things you release find a good home. Over the course of working with clients throughout Camden County and the surrounding area, I’ve built a list of local donation centers and organizations I trust and recommend regularly.
This is that list.
Before You Donate: A Few Ground Rules
Not everything is ready to donate. Donating the wrong things creates extra work for the staff at these organizations (and increases the likelihood of your donations ending up in a landfill, which defeats the whole purpose). Here’s what to keep in mind before you load up the car:
Wash clothing before you donate it. Neither Goodwill nor the Salvation Army launders donated items. A single location can receive upwards of 2,000 items a day. Washing, drying, and folding that volume simply isn’t possible. Please wash clothing and make sure it’s fresh before dropping it off.
Donate things that are clean, complete, and in working condition. The rule is simple: if you wouldn’t give it to a friend, it’s not ready to donate. Stained, broken, or heavily worn items cost donation centers money to sort and dispose of. Textile recycling programs are a better option for items that are truly worn out.
Be careful with standalone donation bins. Some bins that appear to belong to a charity are actually operated by for-profit companies. When in doubt, donate directly at a store or organization location.
Get a receipt for your taxes. Donations of goods to 501(c)(3) organizations are tax deductible at fair market value. Always ask for a receipt if you want to itemize your donations.
General Goods, Clothing & Household Items
If you are looking for where to donate general household goods and clothing in South Jersey, these three organizations are your most accessible options.
Goodwill Industries of Southern New Jersey & Philadelphia
What they accept: Clothing, accessories, shoes, home decor, books, toys, furniture, small appliances, home medical equipment, and more.
Who they serve: Revenue from Goodwill store sales funds job training programs and career services for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Through Goodwill’s Helms Academy, individuals can earn a high school diploma 100% tuition free.
How to donate: Drop off at any Goodwill donation center throughout South Jersey. Multiple locations in Cherry Hill, Voorhees, and surrounding areas.
Good to know: About 82 cents of every dollar goes toward Goodwill’s programs and services.
The Salvation Army
What they accept: Clothing and shoes for all ages, furniture, small appliances, kitchen items, books, board games, electronics, and household goods. All items should be gently used and in working condition.
Who they serve: Revenue from Salvation Army thrift store sales funds a wide range of community programs including emergency assistance, addiction recovery, shelter, and food programs. The Salvation Army serves communities in 132 countries worldwide.
How to donate: Drop off at a Salvation Army location, or schedule a free pickup for larger items at satruck.org.
Good to know: About 85 cents of every dollar goes toward the Salvation Army’s charitable programs. For larger furniture and appliances, their free pickup service is incredibly convenient.
GreenDrop
What they accept: Clothing, shoes, accessories, household items, and small goods.
Who they serve: GreenDrop is operated by TVI Inc., a for-profit company that pays nonprofits for donated goods. In the Cherry Hill area, proceeds benefit the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation, which supports veterans and their families. It’s a legitimate operation, but worth knowing the distinction.
How to donate: Schedule a pickup or drive up and staff will take bags directly from your vehicle. You’ll receive an emailed receipt for tax purposes. No paperwork on your end.
Good to know: This is one of the most convenient donation experiences available locally. If you’re donating a large load and want a hassle-free pickup or drop-off, GreenDrop is excellent.
Furniture & Large Items
If you have furniture, large appliances, or large household items to donate in South Jersey, this is the section for you. Both organizations below offer free pickup, so you do not need a truck.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore of South Central NJ
What they accept: Gently used furniture, appliances, kitchen cabinets, building materials, home accessories, and household goods in good, sellable condition. Items must be clean, functional, and free of major damage, stains, or missing parts. They do not accept mattresses, items with pet damage, or anything that cannot be resold.
Who they serve: Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center. Revenue from ReStore sales funds Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building affordable housing for families in need throughout Camden County and South Jersey. When you donate your furniture, you are directly supporting affordable homeownership in your community.
How to donate: You can drop off items directly at the store or schedule a pickup for large or bulky items (for a $25 flat fee). Pickups are typically available within one to two weeks. Items need to be accessible, on the ground floor or outside, for the pickup crew.
Good to know: This is a convenient furniture pickup option in the Cherry Hill area. If you are clearing out a whole room or multiple large pieces, this is your best option.
Note: The Salvation Army offers free furniture pickup through satruck.org and is another excellent option for large item donations.
Children’s Items
Looking for where to donate children’s clothing, toys, and gear in South Jersey? Cradles to Crayons ensures those items go directly to kids in need. Nothing is sold.
Cradles to Crayons
What they accept: Children’s clothing in sizes newborn through 12, shoes, books, toys, baby safety equipment, and school supplies. All items should be clean and in good condition.
Who they serve: Cradles to Crayons provides free packages of essential items to children experiencing homelessness or living in poverty throughout the Philadelphia and South Jersey region. Everything donated goes directly to a child in need. Nothing is sold.
How to donate: Drop off at designated collection points in Philadelphia or throughout the region, including CCCADA, Inc. in Voorhees (appointment required).
Good to know: If you have a lot of children’s items from a closet clear-out or downsizing project, this is one of the most direct and impactful places they can go. Your child’s outgrown clothes go directly to another child who needs them.
Books, Puzzles & Media
If you’re wondering where to donate books in South Jersey, these two organizations are your best options. One serves adults and families, the other places children’s books directly into the hands of kids who need them most.
Cherry Hill Public Library
What they accept: Gently used adult books, CDs, DVDs, and jigsaw puzzles. Please confirm current acceptance of musical instruments directly with the library before donating, as policies may vary.
How to donate: Drop off donations at the side entrance closer to Friendship Grove, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please do not bring donations through the main entrance. There is a cart with bins at the side entrance for drop-off. If there is inclement weather, the cart will be inside. Ring the doorbell to the left of the side entrance doors and a staff member or volunteer will accept your donations. Receipts are available, so don’t forget to ask for one.
Who they serve: The Cherry Hill Public Library is far more than a place to borrow books. It offers notary services, meeting rooms, computer classes, ESL support, adult education, an art gallery, and live music programming, making it one of the most versatile community resources in the area. The Friends of the Library, a volunteer organization of individuals, families, and businesses, supports the library through membership, book sales, and fundraisers. Donated books are sold at their regular Friends Book Sales, with all proceeds benefiting library programs and services. The library also maintains a remarkable “Library of Things” collection. In addition to books and DVDs, you can borrow puzzles, board games, telescope kits, musical instruments, and more.
Good to know: This is a great option for adult novels, nonfiction, and gently used puzzles that still have all their pieces. Your donated books get a second life through the Friends Book Sale, and the proceeds stay right here in our community.
BookSmiles
What they accept: Children’s books in good condition, including picture books, chapter books, educational books, and young adult titles.
Who they serve: BookSmiles is a Cherry Hill-based nonprofit that distributes children’s books to kids and educators throughout New Jersey and the Philadelphia area. They work directly with Title I schools, teachers, and families in book deserts, meaning communities where children have little to no access to books at home. Since 2017, they’ve placed over 4 million books into children’s hands.
How to donate: Find a BookSmiles donation bin near you throughout South Jersey or drop off books at their new Cherry Hill location.
Good to know: Here’s something most people don’t realize. When you donate books to a thrift store, many of them end up recycled or trashed. BookSmiles makes sure every book goes directly into the hands of a child who needs it. If you have children’s books to donate, this is where they belong.
Clothing, Hygiene & Everyday Essentials
These South Jersey organizations serve homeless individuals and families in poverty directly. Donations of clothing, hygiene products, and everyday essentials go straight to people in need. Nothing is sold.
Joseph’s House of Camden
What they accept: In-kind donations including clothing and personal hygiene supplies. Contact them before bringing donations to confirm current needs.
Who they serve: Joseph’s House of Camden is a leading homeless shelter in Camden providing emergency shelter, hot meals, shower and laundry facilities, hygiene supplies, and case management to help people move from homelessness to stable housing. Each year Joseph’s House provides 27,375 cot nights, 75 cots each night, to the poorest of the poor. Last year, 158 homeless men and women moved out of Joseph’s House and onto stable housing.
Good to know: When you’re clearing out clothing and personal care items during a decluttering session, this is one of the most direct and immediate places those items can go. Real people in our community will use them immediately.
South Jersey Dream Center
What they accept: Food, clothing, household items, baby and children’s items, diapers, and personal hygiene products. All items must be in excellent condition, clean, safe, and without missing parts. Drop-off is by appointment on Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m at their West Deptford location. Contact them through their website to schedule.
Who they serve: The South Jersey Dream Center has aided over 25,000 people living at or below the poverty level, including veterans, single parents, children, working adults, and the unemployed and underemployed. Donations of products and services enable them to distribute nearly a quarter million pounds of food, clothing, diapers, personal hygiene, and baby items per year. Beyond distributing goods, they offer workshops and training on financial soundness, job readiness, and healthy living, working to break the cycle of poverty from the inside out.
Good to know: This is one of the most impactful organizations in our region. Everything goes directly to South Jersey families in need, free of charge. Nothing is sold.
Art & Creative Supplies
If you are clearing out a craft room, home studio, or office and looking for where to donate art supplies near South Jersey, The Resource Exchange in Philadelphia is the best destination in the region.
The Resource Exchange (Philadelphia)
What they accept: A wide range of art and creative materials including artist paints (watercolor, acrylic, oil), colored pencils, fabric and textiles, sewing and knitting supplies, artist studio equipment and tools, photography equipment, lumber and sheet goods, and more. Items must be in usable condition. They do not accept broken items, items with missing pieces, or unsorted mixed lots. Email them before donating to confirm your specific items are accepted. Large donations require an appointment.
How to donate: Drop off is in a convenient parking lot at their Kensington location. Email first with what you’d like to donate and they will help screen your materials before drop-off. All donations are tax deductible and they will provide a receipt.
Who they serve: The Resource Exchange is Philadelphia’s creative reuse center. Their mission is to provide inspiration and reclaimed materials for creative and environmentally resourceful making, teaching, and living. They divert usable art and building materials from the waste stream and redirect them to artists, builders, educators, and the general public. They also feature a gallery showcasing local artists who work with reclaimed materials, and host free and low-cost community workshops.
Good to know: This is the perfect destination for craft and art supplies that still have life in them but no longer have a home. If you have paints, fabric, sewing notions, or art tools taking up space, this organization will put them directly into the hands of artists, teachers, and makers. Note that they are in Philadelphia, so this is a slightly longer trip, but well worth it for significant collections of creative materials.
Pets & Animal Welfare
Looking for where to donate pet supplies, blankets, or animal goods in Camden County? Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Blackwood is the largest open-admission shelter in the region and always in need of donations.
Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center (Formerly Camden County Animal Shelter)
What they accept: Used blankets, towels, and linens; wet and dry dog and cat food (unopened); treats and toys; six-foot leashes; cloth buckle collars; cat litter and litter pans; pet brushes, combs, and shampoos; paper towels; 30-gallon trash bags; bleach; dish and laundry detergent; buckets, mops, and brooms; latex and rubber gloves; and office supplies. All donated items should be clean and in usable condition.
Who they serve: Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center, formerly the Camden County Animal Shelter, is a no-kill shelter serving more than 5,000 abused, homeless, and neglected animals every year. Founded in 1997, it is the largest open admission shelter in the region and serves animals from 17 municipalities across Camden County. The facility is run by the Animal Welfare Society of Camden County and is consistently praised for its clean facility and knowledgeable, caring staff.
How to donate: Donations can be dropped off directly at the shelter during open hours. Call ahead if you have a large donation or questions about specific items.
Good to know: When you’re decluttering your linen closet or clearing out household supplies, this is one of the most practical and immediate places those items can go. Used blankets and towels are among their most consistently needed donations. Your old linens that have no place in your home can keep an animal warm tonight.
Food
If you are clearing out your pantry during a decluttering session, do not overlook your local food pantry. Non-expired, non-perishable goods are always needed and always put to immediate use.
Cherry Hill Food Pantry
What they accept: Non-perishable food items, personal care products, and household supplies.
Who they serve: The Cherry Hill Food Pantry provides food and essential items to families in need throughout the Cherry Hill community. Consistently praised as one of the most impactful local nonprofits in the area.
How to donate: Drop off donations during pantry hours. Check their website for current hours before visiting.
Good to know: Food pantries often get overlooked during decluttering sessions, but clearing out your pantry of non-expired canned goods and non-perishables is one of the easiest and most immediate ways to help your neighbors.
A Note on Responsible Disposal
Not everything can be donated to a South Jersey charity or organization. Some items require special handling to keep them out of landfills.
Toxic or hazardous materials like paints, chemicals, batteries, and pesticides should never go in the regular trash or be donated. Camden County and Burlington County both hold periodic Household Hazardous Waste collection events where these items can be dropped off safely. Check your county’s website for the current schedule.
Worn-out clothing and textiles that aren’t in donatable condition can often be recycled rather than trashed. Many municipalities have textile recycling programs, and some retailers accept worn clothing for recycling regardless of condition.
Electronics should never go in the regular trash. Many local municipalities offer e-waste collection events, and retailers like Best Buy accept old electronics for responsible recycling.
Letting Go is Easier When it Feels Like Giving
Part of what I do as a professional home organizer and decluttering specialist is make sure that when my clients are ready to let something go, they know it’s going somewhere meaningful. This list is one of the ways I make that happen.
If you’re ready to start clearing out and want help making sure the process is handled responsibly, I’d love to talk. From the decisions about what to keep, to making sure what leaves finds a good home, that’s exactly what I’m here for.
Every project starts with a free 30-minute consultation. Book one at compassionateclearingco.com.
Know a South Jersey organization that deserves to be on this list? Send me a note. I’d love to keep this resource guide growing.