Get In The Spirit Of Giving: 5 Places You Can Donate Your Old Things To This Holiday Season

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Whether you’ve been bitten by the Diwali spirit of giving, or just need to clear out your wardrobe, giving back to the community is the best way to do a good deed. Whether it’s children from underprivileged backgrounds, or abandoned animals, there’s no one way to go about it. We’ve compiled a list of places we’re donating to this season, just in case you’ve been meaning to but don’t have the time to do the research!

Goonj

Goonj is an advocate of people for social change, depending entirely on donations and volunteer contribution. They have several drop-off services all around the city. If you’re unsure of what can and can’t be donated, check out their website for a handy guide on what they accept! Their mission is to turn “waste” material, an under-utilised resource, into garments in a dignified manner for the poor and less fortunate.

Recycle Guru

Recycle Guru works hand-in-hand with Goonj, so if you can’t make it to Hosur, then head to this convenient location in Indiranagar! They also accept old electronics, which if not disposed of safely could be a health hazard. This online platform is run by Poonam, who also owns Daily Dump, so while you’re at it you can pick up some loam soil for your garden!

If you like, they now have a home pick-up system, wherein you can book your Recycle guru a day in advance, and he or she will show up at your home the next day, weigh your merchandise and tell the value of it all. They’ll even pay you for that, but hey, in the spirit of giving, it’s all about donation.

Sri Rakum School For The Blind

While they don’t do pickups, this NGO has three branches around Bangalore {Indiranagar, Arkavathy and Devanahalli} making it that much more convenient. This school for the blind and visually impaired is entirely funded by donations, but if you can’t afford to give any money, they’ll happily accept all types of clothing, packaged food, kitchenware and even old furniture! Whatever can’t be used by the children will be sold by the school to raise funds. If you’d also like, they accept donations to sponsor a meal for a child. Volunteers are always needed so, also considering donating your time if you can’t give anything physically.

Share At Doorstep

This one actually helps document all the NGOs around you, so you can pick which one you want to donate via. It all depends on what you want to give away. From furniture and toys to clothes and electronics, they take it all. All you need to do is put in your location, and a host of NGOs in the area will pop up. Then, when you Add To Cart {yup, the reverse, where you fill the cart for someone else}, you’ll be charged a nominal fee of INR 199 for the pick up, and there’s your good deed for the season.

Check it out here.

Makkala Jagriti

This non-profit strives to empower underprivileged children through education and holistic development. If you have any unused stationery, books, functional computers, toys and other learning aids, Makkala Jagriti should be on your list of places to donate to. They also always require monetary donations {payable by cheque}, as well as volunteers, so consider donating your time.