In her bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, organization guru Marie Kondo writes, “The process of assessing how you feel about the things you own, identifying those that have fulfilled their purpose, expressing your gratitude and bidding them farewell, is really about examining your inner self, a rite of passage to a new life.”
It’s probably been more than a year since many of you have truly looked into the contents of your closets. For those who’ve been able to work from home, sweatpants and pajamas became the new business casual, sending retailers like Ann Taylor and Loft into bankruptcy, and forcing others like Banana Republic and H&M to shut down hundreds of stores.
Pandemic weight gain is also a reality for many. An October 2020 American Psychological Association report titled “Stress in America 2020: A National Mental Health Crisis” found that since the start of the pandemic, 42 percent of adults have reported gaining an average of 29 pounds.
That means our closets need a major overhaul, and what better time to do that than during spring cleaning? The good news is, while you might have outgrown last year’s clothes, they can certainly be of use to someone else. And you don’t have to stop at clothing. Reassess what you own, and see if it can be of better service to others. Don’t discard toys and clothing in the trash or recycling; there’s always a way to reuse them. And in this time of economic insecurity for many, a little charity can go a long way.
Once you’ve decided what to donate, here are some places to take them. (Note: Due to the pandemic, some charities aren’t doing residential pickups, but there are many drop-off points across the Valley.)
Goodwill of Southern Nevada
Goodwill is known for its thrift stores, and donating to the charity helps put people to work and fight poverty. In addition to clothing and household goods, you can donate furniture, used electronics, vehicles and cash. Goodwill.vegas.
The Salvation Army of Southern Nevada Donations of clothing and household goods help fund rehabilitation programs that heal addictions and restore families. If you want to do more, the Salvation Army also has a robust volunteer program. Call 702-870-4430 for more information.
Opportunity Village The beloved local nonprofit benefits individuals with disabilities and puts them to work in jobs they love. Like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, Opportunity Village has a thrift store where used items get a second life. Drop off items Monday-Sunday, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., at The Crossing Church (7950 W. Windmill Lane) and at Centennial Hills Hospital (6900 N. Durango Drive).
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada BBBSN seeks to change the lives of children facing adversity in Southern Nevada through mentorship. Donations of gently used clothing, books, toys and small household items can change the life of a child in need. Schedule a pickup from your home at donatevegas.com.
Project 150 This nonprofit was created to provide support and services to homeless, displaced and disadvantaged high school students. Hygiene items like shampoo, conditioner and toothbrushes are always in need, along with supplies like backpacks, notebooks, paper, pens and pencils. Drop-off location open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 3600 N. Rancho Drive.
Dress for Success of Southern Nevada This organization helps women dress for job interviews. When they land a job, they receive up to a week’s worth of business-appropriate clothing and accessories. Donations of cleaned and laundered business attire and shoes are welcome. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (by appointment only), 3400 W. Desert Inn Road #25, 702-684-6412.
Soles4Souls Zappos has teamed up with Nashville nonprofit Soles4Souls to make it easy to donate new and lightly used shoes and clothing. Simply place items in a box, print out a prepaid shipping label from Zappos and drop off at UPS. Your donation will help those who have been affected by the pandemic. Zappos.com/e/soles-4-souls.
