One of the greatest benefits of entering into a minimalist lifestyle, is the ability to bless others in need with some of the things you we do without. However, sometimes figuring out where to take our donations is the most difficult part.
I’ve found it’s so much easier to let go, when our belongings are going where they are needed most.
Some days I feel like a UPS driver as I head to multiple locations throughout Lansing to donate my excess.
I’ll swing by The Lansing City Rescue Mission to make a drop-off before meeting a pregnant friend in the school pick-up lane to pass on baby items. Then head on over to the Pregnancy Center to donate the rest.
While it can be time consuming, it’s really quite rewarding.
In the name of simplicity I’ve compiled a list of local Lansing, MI area donation centers. This list includes drop-off/pick-up information as well as some of their greatest needs.
Be sure and note that all sites request donated items be in GOOD CONDITION, FREE OF STAINS, TEARS and OFFENSIVE ODORS.
In other words, do not drop your trash off people!
Happy Purging!
Lansing City Rescue Mission
Upscale Thrift
3700 W. Saginaw Hwy. Lansing, MI, 48917
Phone: (517)203-5190
Donation Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday Closed
This is a personal favorite of mine! They have limited pickups for large donations and/or furniture. Proceeds go to Lansing City Rescue Mission. Those staying at the shelter receive clothing vouchers for purchasing items at this thrift store.
Greatest Need: Anything
They DO NOT take: Used pillows, mattresses, box TV’s, entertainment centers, computer monitors and printers, out dated cribs/drop side cribs, car seats after expiration date.
Pregnancy Center
Preferred Drop off location
1045 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: 517.332.0633
Donation Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-4pm
West and South Lansing locations will also accept donations
Greatest Needs: All things baby related
They need infant clothing up to size 6 months. Baby bath tubs, strollers, Pack-n-plays, car seats prior to expiration dates, bottles, breast pumps, slings, swaddles, diapers, wipes, formula…all things baby
They DO NOT take: Recalled baby items or expired car seat
All items are given, not sold, to individuals in need.
Shared Pregnancy
503 N. Walnut St. Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: (517) 484-1882
Donation Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-4pm
Greatest Need: Car seats
They take all things baby related. Diapers, wipes, formula, toys, cribs, pack n play, swings bouncers, clothing ages 0-3 years.
They DO NOT take: Expired car seats
All items are given, not sold, to individuals in need.
Cristo Rey
1717 N. High St. Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: (517) 372-4700
Donation Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Greatest Need: Childrens clothing, Personal Hygiene products (attention all crazy couponers!)
They DO NOT take: Furniture, appliances or mattresses/box springs.
All items are given, not sold, to individuals in need. They have programs to donate clothing, personal hygiene and diapers.
St. Vincent Catholic Charities Refugee Services
2800 W. Willow St. Lansing, MI 48917
Phone: (517) 323-4734 Ext. 1424
Donation Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm
Greatest need: Furniture, kitchen supplies, household items, winter attire.
They DO NOT take: Mattresses, beds, large appliances, clothing (except for winter coats, hats, mittens, boots, snow pants)
Schedule large item pick up by calling (517) 323-4734 ext. 1050 and leave a voicemail. For drop off press button near the garage and someone will come out and assist you.
Lansing City Rescue Mission
Upscale Thrift
3700 W. Saginaw Hwy. Lansing, MI, 48917
Phone: (517)203-5190
Donation Hours: Monday – Saturday: 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday Closed
They have limited pickups for large donations and/or furniture. Proceeds go to Lansing City Rescue Mission. Those staying at the shelter receive clothing vouchers for purchasing items at this thrift store.
Greatest Need: Anything
They DO NOT take: Used pillows, mattresses, box TV’s, entertainment centers, computer monitors and printers, out dated cribs/drop side cribs, car seats after expiration date.
Salvation Army
2655 E. Grand River, Meridian Township, MI, 48823
Phone: (517) 483-2785
Donation Hours: Monday – Saturday 9am-9pm
Drop off donations can be made to the E. Grand River store directly or at the Lansing South Corps at 701 W. Jolly Road. They are run by the Adult Rehabilitation Center in Flint, Michigan where The Salvation Army assists people with drug and alcohol addiction.
Greatest need: Furniture!!
Small appliances, lamps and household items are in high demand. They also take pretty much anything…from decorations to clothing of all sizes and seasons.
They DO NOT take: Bedding, mattresses, box springs, medical equipment, box TV’s (only accept flat screens), cribs, car seats or any recallable items.
St. Vincents de Paul Thrift Store
1020 S Washington Ave, Lansing, Michigan
Phone: (517) 484-5395
Donation Hours: Monday through Friday 10:00am-5:30pm, Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm
Call to schedule a pick up. They provide pick ups Monday – Friday. NO minimum donation quantity required!
Greatest Need: Upholstered furniture and working appliances
They accept all kinds of things including, toys, home goods and clothing for all seasons and sizes.
They DO Not accept: Mattresses, built in appliances, televisions older than 2005, box springs, telephones or computer equipment
Volunteers of America
Thrift Stores
West Lansing- 3800 W. Saginaw St.
South Lansing- 5411 South Cedar St.
East Lansing- 248 E. SAGINAW ST.
Donation Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 am-5pm, Sunday 10 am-5pm
Donation bins are available at each location and hundreds of Michigan area Drop box locations
Call 1(866) 333-8381 to schedule a pick up. No minimum donation quantity required
They DO NOT Accept: Mattresses, box springs, box TVs and car seats. Appliances must be in good working order for donation.
Habitat For Humanity ReStore
Lansing ReStore 1941 Benjamin Drive, Lansing, MI 48906
Phone: (517) 374-6235
Donation hours: Tuesday – Friday 9:00 am-6:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am-3:00 pm
Williamston ReStore 954 E Grand River Avenue, Williamston, MI 48895
Phone: (517) 655-1872
Donation hours: Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 am-6:00 pm, Saturday 10:00 am-3:00 pm
They accept all kinds of building and home renovation supplies. For a detailed list of what they do and do not accept click here.
If you can think of an organization that should be added to this list, contact me through my blog and I will check it out.
Goodwill
The Goodwill has so many locations. Follow this link to find the Goodwill closest to you.
Greatest Need: Furniture
What the DO NOT take: Mattresses, box springs, box TV’s, cribs, car seats, pack-n-plays or any other item that holds a baby.
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Declutter Your Life
It’s time to stop managing our families and start leading them!
2 years ago I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I had no capacity to mom on purpose.
Living with less has gifted me time, space and some much needed perspective of what truly matters most. Below is the link to my FREE Beginner’s Declutter Like a Minimalist Guidebook. It takes a deeper look at the 7 Steps to getting started highlighted in my popular post, Declutter Like a Minimalist.
This is an extremely useful resource of information, Rachelle. I know this takes times to put this kind of info together.
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Rachelle, God has truly gifted you for your blog. It is exciting to see you blossom in the new adventure!
Love this Rachelle! Sara cleaned out old and new shoes. (She took some of ours, also!!!)
Anyway, what about Goodwill? I’ve always wondered what they do/don’t take.
Hi Rachelle! I thought of a couple more places to donate. First is Cristo Rey and the second one St Vincents refugee services! Enjoying your blog!
Thanks so much Jeanne! I’ll check out what they need.
I did not add them to the list because they are so well known. I should look into what they do not take though. Was hoping to make some specific local needs known through this post. Thanks for reading! Nice job cleaning out those shoes!