Many of us often buy a lot of clothes to create new looks, update our wardrobes with changing fashions, or dress for the season. But as it often happens, not everything gets worn, and some items just end up cluttering our closets. The same goes for other household goods. In the city, and the region as a whole, there’s a significant issue with the number of people in need. So in this article, we’ll explore more compassionate ways to handle unwanted belongings. Read on at manhattanname.
What to Do with Old Items in Manhattan?
We tend to buy a lot of things—clothes, shoes, household items, and general goods. But often, some of these items eventually become unnecessary. Reasons vary: changing fashions, a poor fit (too small or too large), impracticality, and so on. Usually, we either set these items aside, thinking, “maybe it’ll come in handy someday,” or we simply toss them out. However, we suggest a different, more humane approach. It’s worth noting that with a population of over 8.3 million, nearly one in every 83 New Yorkers is homeless or in need—that’s about 100,000 people. The numbers are staggering, aren’t they? The most common cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. Surveys show that housing instability is often driven by factors like job loss, domestic violence, eviction, and unsafe or unhealthy living conditions. Therefore, you can choose to donate your unwanted items to those who desperately need them, especially clothing suitable for colder seasons. So, where can you donate? You might ask.
One option is Housing Works, a charitable organization that combats AIDS and homelessness. This organization also runs a network of thrift stores where you can donate items such as men’s and women’s clothing, accessories, jewelry, shoes, household goods, books, furniture, and more. It’s important to note that if you’re donating furniture, you should contact the store in advance. Also, they typically accept no more than two boxes of books per donor. You can find these stores at the following locations: 1222 2nd Ave, 126 Crosby St, 2569 Broadway, 143 W 17th St, 306 Columbus Ave, 157 E 23rd St, 594 Broadway, 301 W 37th St, and 245 W 10th St, 1730 2nd Ave. (Editor’s note: 126 Crosby St was listed twice in the original and retained here for accuracy to the source.)
Another organization that accepts used items is Unique Boutique. You can donate a wide range of pre-owned items here, including home furniture, clothing, and household goods. Address: 487 Columbus Avenue.
A similar organization is Wearable Collections. Here, you can bring gently used items in good condition, specifically: clean and dry clothing, paired shoes, linens, bags, belts, and other reusable textile products. They do not accept: rolls or scraps of fabric of any size, rugs, carpeting, pillows, comforters, etc. In Manhattan, you can find them at locations such as: 77th/79th Street Greenmarket, Broadway & 116th St, and E 7th St & Ave A.
If you’re looking to donate good-quality women’s clothing specifically, Bottomless Closet would be happy to accept it. The shop is particularly in need of: blouses, tops, sweaters, dresses, jackets, coats, pants, handbags, shoes, accessories (including scarves and belts), new undergarments, unused cosmetics, toiletries, and personal hygiene products. Their address is: 1 West 34th Street, 5th Floor.
How to Properly Declutter Your Wardrobe and Get Rid of Unneeded Items
If you notice your wardrobe is overflowing with items you no longer use, it’s time to declutter. This will help you get organized and keep only what you truly need.
To effectively get rid of unwanted items, follow these steps: Take everything out of your wardrobe and sort items by category: pants, t-shirts, outerwear, and so on. Evaluate each piece based on the following criteria: Do you like it? Does it go with other clothes or fit your style? Is it in good condition? Is it comfortable? How often do you realistically plan to wear it? If an item doesn’t meet these criteria, feel free to let it go. As experience shows, you probably won’t need it “later.” This concept can apply to other household items as well.