Donate to Goodwill Without Leaving Home AND With NO Cost to You
Make a clothing donation to Goodwill without leaving home and without any cost to you!
Give Back Box has partnered with retailers like Amazon, Levi’s, Bon•Ton, REI, Ann Taylor and more to make this possible.
Here’s How it Works:
- Look around your home and pack items you no longer need into a cardboard box like gently used clothing & shoes (no electronics may be donated) – there is no weight limit
- Download and print as many FREE USPS or UPS prepaid shipping labels as you want and need. If you don’t have a printer or can’t print a shipping label, send an email to info@givebackbox.com – include your address and they will mail you a label.
- Drop off the box either at the post office or at any UPS stores OR arrange for USPS to have the box picked up from your home.
- Donations then go directly to your nearest participating Goodwill organization using a free shipping label and Goodwill then sells the donated goods.
Has anyone used this service yet?
(Thanks, Freebies for a Cause!)
Incoming comment hating on Goodwill in 3..2…1….
I so agree. Goodwill and the Salvation army no longer help people that have been displaced because of fire or flooding etc. They used to give you clothes if your house burned down. Now they give you gift cards to walmart because they make more money selling clothes by the pound to africa and other countries. My girlfriend had to go to walmart in her pajama’s because her house burned down at night when they were in bed. They wouldn’t even donate one outfit to them. Both of these stores are only out for the money they can make.
First know your facts. I have personally been with 150+ displaced people due to flooding and the Salvation Army stayed open after hours so each person could “shop” at their store. Everyone was allowed one top, bottom and shoes. I know this because I serve on the Red Cross board and we bused them over there. Goodwill also puts a lot of people with jobs who would not be able to secure other employment.
yup! 😀 I never donate to them anymore. Most communities have their own organizations that take used clothing/items that help your local people.
The goodwill CEO makes $730 000 while paying pennies to their disabled employees. Good will also takes the good stuff that’s donated and sells it on eBay so there’s nothing but crap left in the store. You’re better off donating to a local group in your city that helps women and children, homeless etc.
This is great.
The Salvation Army will come to your house to pick up donations. Just schedule a pickup day and time. They even take heavy furniture from inside the house so no need to take them out yourself.
I also donate to local homeless shelters as Milly predicted goodwill is a profit organization where they sell things in a store at above retail prices. I would much rather donate to needy people. and non-profit organizations.
I have seen this service before (back at xmas) so I have 2 boxes full of donations but keep forgetting to print labels. It’s not far to either the local Goodwill or a ups store, but I’m in a cast so really can’t do any sort of delivery of boxes and/or items myself and figured this might be a good solution if usps will pick up. Thanks for posting about this to remind me. 😁
The first part says clothing, but then it says items. Is it anything or just for clothes? I don’t have a Goodwill where I live so I’ve never heard of this donating option. (I think the nearest one is four hours away!)
Hi there! You can donate items such as clothing and shoes, however, no electronics. Hope this helps!
Please remember to think of your LOCAL thrift shops first! Our thrift shop donates so much to our local school. It makes me feel better to donate to them instead of a larger corporation.
I donate to our local thrift store – proceeds go to the schools
It makes me furious when Goodwill is selling items DONATED to them at an outrageous cost. Ridiculous when poor folks can’t even afford to shop at the local goodwill. More like Greedwill. I have a few local thrift stores/ shelters I shop at and they also receive all of my donations. I refuse to donate to Greedwill anymore.
I agree Everytime I go in to see what they have their prices have gone up. My Goodwill near me use to sell all kids clothes $2.00 or even $1.00. I went with hubby looking for a lamp and their kids clothes was now up to $4.00 and up. I have found cheaper deals on brand new clothes.
At the same time, they help those who can’t get a job go to work….
Me too. I understand that they do some good work but their CEO makes almost $1 million salary. I’d rather see my donation go to a better cause. I donate to my local thrift store that helps our local VA.
My Goodwill will have clearance markdowns they bought from Target with Target red clearance tag on it still & Goodwill price tag priced $1-$2 more than Target clearance price. Super annoying!
All proceeds from our area thrift store went to the community no kill animal shelter! It’s a great organization! I highly recommend checking out local options that will benefit your community first!
I agree I’m so irritated by goodwill it should be called badwill they are all about money in their pockets I used to shop there weekly now I boycott the place! It’s too bad
They do offer jobs to those who might otherwise not be able to find a work though.
and while they may have high prices on donated items look up how much their garbage bill is, it’s insane because people give them garbage that Goodwill can’t sell but the people ‘donating’ simply don’t want to pay to get rid of it. Yes, they probably get a deal but it’s still a huge expense for them.
I’m not defending them and I really have nothing to do with them but there is probably more to it.
Yes they do! 🙂 Thanks for pointing this out. It really is a great organization.
I am guessing you are referring to the fact Good Will offers jobs to the disabled. For the record, Goodwill uses a prevision of the Fair Labor Standards Act (Section 14c), called a “Special Wage Certificate” to legally NOT pay minimum wage to these employees. By not pay minimum wage, I mean a worker could go home with a check for pennies after working for 40 hours. This practice is outdated and appalls me. This information is probably not widely publicized, but I happen to have a disabled child and have spoken to my congressman on this subject. 🙁
I have a family member with learning disabilities and other challenges who is currently employed with Goodwill and receives above minimum wage.
They gave my son a chance almost 5 years ago. He has autism and works part time and makes above minimum wage. If it was not for Goodwill, I honestly do not know what he/we would do. Some of you should think before you type your comments.
I used to love Goodwill many years ago. I found a great pair of jeans and I’m grateful for them back when I was having a hard time. But now I coupon and when I went into Goodwill last year, the clothes,many of it was more expensive than Walmart. Plus it’s upsetting people try to do good and donate and you find out they care more how much profit they can make 🙁
I once found a Peg Perego pram at a Goodwill. I resold it for double what I paid when done. I moved from the mid-west to the east coast. I went a few times to the local Goodwill. They literally put out clothes with stains and tears on the rack. I sought out Ralph Lauren for my son. I did better at Macy’s at 85% off during the off season. One can find better quality and prices at garage sales over Goodwill. I literally pay pennies for my son’s clothes brand new in-store. I love to help charity when possible but it has to make sense. Goodwill is losing its’ way unfortunately.
I’ve seen stained clothes as well. Always check under the arms, I’ve seen clothes at thrift shops that have holes there. I don’t know if they over looked it or just don’t care.
I’m uninformed. Why the hate on GW? Don’t they employee differently abled and underprivileged people? That’s HUGE! Don’t they recycle old clothes for rags, stuffing, etc?
here’s why people hate Goodwill… the CEO there and other executives make a big paycheck. people don’t like to donate things for free and then find out that such a big profit was made off of it. also, prices at Goodwill have been rising. people assumed for years that Goodwill was strictly a non-profit organization, but it is run more like a business, and they do turn a profit.
the things you stated are also true, though. i have also seen comments about Goodwill from employees that were helped and gained job skills. Goodwill is a way for many things to be upcycled, but some people prefer to donate used items to a place that does more for local charities.
I wonder if you get a tax write off for your donations this way.
You do. I have donated several times. Just like when you donate to Goodwill and get a donation receipt for tax purposes. You can also go on the site and itemize what was in the box and it is verified as received once the box is received and processed in store. This way, when you go to do your taxes you know exactly what you donated instead of guessing or estimating.
I’m just looking to donate a few boxes of clothes. Is there an option to not itemize? How does that work?
If you have enough deductions, itemizing might be more beneficial than taking a standard deduction. You can take deductions on things like medical expenses, charitable donations, mortgage interest, student loan interest and a bunch of other stuff. Your standard deduction depends on how you file. For example, married filing jointly has a standard deduction of $12,600. If you can itemize more deductions than that you should itemize.
Have you tried thred up? You can just make cash off your clothes. When you sign up they will send you a bag and you just fill it with your clothes you don’t want anymore. It works great!
Here you go
https://www.thredup.com/r/QKWXTW
I like donating to goodwill for the simple fact that I know my donations are taken care of. I volunteered at my local thrift store and they have donations piled up a mile high. You can tell they need help putting donations out but instead they’ve just been sitting there for what looks like years. Every time I go to g.w. the donation area is kept clean and tidy and the donations are put out right away . I just want my donated items to be taken care of like anyone else. So I drive 30 mins to the goodwill.
I used to go to Goodwill all the time and leave with a ton of stuff for $1.99.. I went in the other day and I could find nothing for that price! I found tons of stuff between $6.99-$8.99… I honestly can buy brand new stuff from retailers for cheaper then that.. and they recently changed their return policy from “returns” to “even exchanges” which is kind of annoying.. The only time I’m going to go there is shop for furniture which is much cheaper then stores.
It’s a little sad that such a well-meaning post could generate such negativity. Goodwill has a great mission, and I have family members who have been given opportunities with their employment program. I am beyond grateful for that.
Thank you for your kind, well written post!
I am always thankful for other’s opinions of a product/service both good and bad.
I think this is a great idea and service for those that want to use it. My city actually provides orange donation bags for free and you just put them out with your weekly trash. We have several other charities that will pick up from your house too. I personally have a thrift store with a drive up right near me that employs and supports people with disabilities. I Shop there because their prices are great. I actually went to goodwill to shop for the first time yesterday and was shocked at how much they were charging for toys! I could buy most of it cheaper at target! I am sure target donated a lot of it to them too (I’m in Minneapolis). There were new slip and slides for $20. New target clearance items with the clearance tags on them which they were charging double that price. The sad thing is people probably think they are getting a deal on it because it’s at goodwill.
I only shop at goodwill on dollar day thursday ans 50% off saturday. I actually bought tons of good stuff from them from name brand purses, clothes, even small furnitures which I couldn’t and wouldn’t buy with their regular retail price.
Many organizations like Vietnam Veterans of America (vva.org) will pick up donations from your home for free. If you are interested in donating to a non-profit, it is worth doing a little research to find out who will pickup from you. It is especially helpful if you have a large amount to donate. Thanks Collin and Hip2Save crew.
You’re welcome Laura!
The VVA only gives the vetetans 18 percent. The rest are profits from the items being sold in their thrift store. I donated to them for years thinking I was helping veterans.
Try Purple Heart (or Green Drop). You can schedule a pickup and they will come and get the stuff. All you have to do is box or bag it and leave it outside.
I use this ‘service’ as an opportunity to FILL empty boxes and keep my household clutter free! Love the ease of it! Check out a former student’s social media and blog site GOLDWILLDIGGER—-it’s so much fun to see what she finds at Goodwill!
Goodwill and the Salvation Army are not the same and should not be linked together. A Salvation Army volunteer will get a call in the middle of the night. They will get out of their bed and come to your burning home. They will find you in the chaos and make sure you have what you need to get through the rest of the night and the next few days. My dad did this for years and years. In addition to a hotel room they provide gift cards for gas, clothes, and groceries. They provide gift cards because that is what people want, not used clothes. I can’t believe anyone would have the nerve to complain.
Google to see the home that the man on top of goodwill lives in.
Stacie, thanks for your post about Salvation Army and thanks to your dad for his selflessness and charity
I have a young child with special needs so also am thankful for the posts about GW hiring SN people and treating them fairly.
I’m a mental health nurse – donate to Salvation Army! Local homeless shelters and habitat for humanity if you can. They are the people who help my clients with intellectual disabilities and/or homelessness the most.
My mom works at salvation army part time. She loves working there and is paid above minimum wage, but is constantly complaining about the employee theft (on all levels) and how they often just throw perfectly good merchandise away because they have no room to store it when donations get back up. They refuse to discount anything outside of the corporate “color” discounts to alleviate the issues and on more than one occasion has been told don’t worry about it (paying for an item). She didn’t go for that though. I have told her countless times to report it, but she knows that it will come back to her because the theft is that widespread and she loves shopping there to much to lose her job.
I have been told the same. I know someone that worked there. He told me that employees pick through and take what they want first. Also said that they are in charge of pricing so they would put an extremely ridiculous low price and then “buy” it.
I too never donate to Goodwill. The CEO makes a huge salary. They sell everything that is donated for free for profit. They do employ a small number of people. In our area in NJ, they are building a brand new store, when there are dozens of good retail spaces that are empty and could be converted for a fraction of building from the ground up. This is what they do with anything not sold in the stores:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/27/nyregion/competitive-shopping-at-goodwill-grabbing-bargains-by-the-pound.html?_r=0
Thank you for posting this article. I never knew they had a GW outlet and $1.69 a pound, wow!
I wonder how many of the people who have written such nice things here about the salvation army and goodwill are just writing them to ease their conscience, and as I recall, have never seen any news undercover investigation reports about these charities, as well as other ones, as to who really gets the money from them. Having worked as an accountant for several non profits for several years, I see the reality of non profits, not the fantasy of non profits. But if it helps you ladies with not having to face reality so be it.
Thanks for posting Collin. So sad that people cannot keep opinions to themselves and it has to turn into something awful.
Agreed! 😘 I guess we see how much good the organization does. They provide our loved ones with the opportunity to work and be productive to society, which is a wonderful thing. As to the people who’ve mentioned “employee theft”, our Goodwill has video surveillance and if any employee is discovered stealing, he/she is terminated immediately. They do not put up with that! Also employees are not allowed to purchase items the day they are put on the floor. The public has the opportunity to purchase before the staff is allowed to pay for any item. Sometimes there are awards ceremonies in which employees are recognized for their hard work. It’s not an easy job! I appreciate all the opportunities Goodwill provides for my family members who have special challenges in life.
Also, everyone has the right to donate to whichever charity they choose. Helping out others is always a good thing! 😊 And to those who choose to donate to Goodwill, I truly thank you with all my heart for helping to allow my loved ones such great training and experience, social skills, and the opportunity to have a real job. 😘
Why should anyone that disagrees with you have to “keep their opinions to themselves”? Just as you are free to repeatedly post here raving about Goodwill, others are free to leave negative feedback and criticism. That’s how opinions work.
I appreciate the opinions expressed here.
Agree against goodwill. Big brothers and big sisters will also come to your home and pick up donations. AND give you a slip for your taxes 😉
I will no longer donate to Goodwill due to the fact that our employees at goodwill in Alabama go through the stuff and pick out what they want and put the other stuff out for people. I donate to a charity that gives clothes and food away to the needy or displaced workers and they charge nothing.
So I was all ready to hate on Goodwill. But I did a little research.
Yes, I believe their prices are too high. Yes, the CEO makes around $725k a year. Yes, they get tons of clothes every month. Do they sell some off? Yes, they have to.
This is the donation lifecycle:
1) Clothes are donated, 2) Clothes are tracked to see how long they are on the floor, 3) Clothes to go Goodwill bargain centers, 4) Clothes are auctioned off, 5) Clothes then get sent to textile recyclers, 6) Five percent get sent to landfills. Mainly because they are wet and moldy. Goodwill tries to send the least amount possible to landfills.
Lastly, Charity Watch gives them an A rating and puts them at a 89% efficiency rating. So while I don’t like the salary part of this, the fact that they are bringing in so much money and helping so many people, he must be doing something right.
I always a thought the clothes and shoes from goodwill got sent to Africa or something you know for the poor and needy? I guess goodwill is different but I do know a thrift store that does it. Sends the clothes they would otherwise throw away for relief efforts. I really like that idea ☺ plus it’s better than tossing them or whatever.
I’m thinking that’s where the auctioned clothes may go? Or the textile recyclers? I know a lot make their way to third world countries.
Take notice how there aren’t any major name brands in the store anymore. Goodwill takes everything that is worth something and sell it in on their online store. I believe they auction it off. Whats left in their stores is high priced junk. How can you mark up something you got for FREE with prices higher then if you purchased it new? I have purchased too many broken items. There are way too many smaller thrift stores that are not out for themselves that I’d prefer to donate to. Goodwill can go fly a kite…
One time I found a maternity band thats super expensive online $30+ for only one dollar. I think someone thought it was a mini skirt for a little girl cuz that’s where I found it. Lol. I always find gymboree clothing there on the only day I shop there which is half off green or blue or whatever tag day. Sometimes people just don’t know what name brands are. I like those people lol.
I am the director of Renewed Life Ministry in Harpers Ferry, WV. We take gently-used clothing and baby items and give them away to families in need; as well as diapers, wipes and more. ❤️
I help the batter women in our area and Salvation Army is the ONLY one who will help people that need the help. Good Will and other donation centers in our area don’t do that. So, Salvation Army is the way to go.
My hubby used to work at a salvation army. And while I shop there myself, I do know a few dirty little secrets of our salvation army where we live. And one of them is some employees used to take the metal stuff and scrap it for cash. Some of it could’ve easily been sold there at the store. Also the manager received donated pizzas from pizza hut but nobody ever seen them but her. She took them all home for herself instead of giving them to the food pantry lol. That was over 4 yrs ago that my husband worked there though (still the same manager though). But on another note, the Bible does say it is more blessed to give than to receive so anyone that is giving to anywhere..kudos to you!!!
I used to work at Goodwill. We usually always had a bunch of donations sometimes even outside we would have a ton of clothes and shoes. One time while working there, one homeless guy was looking through the donations outside and my manager told him he couldn’t be looking at the donations then the homeless guy asked i he can get a shirt because he needed it and my manager told him no and could buy something outside, also asked for a discount because he didn’t have enough money, and nope! Goodwill is too expensive and some of the people they have working there are sometimes doing community service!
That’s very sad :(. Once someone was donating a couch to SA and while unloading in the parking lot, another family had asked if they could buy it as they were there for furniture. An SA employee said the owner didn’t have a right to do that because they were already going by to donate it. If it’s still in their vehicle, how can that be!! That was years ago.
I agree so sad!! 😢😠😱
Here in the NY/NJ area, brand NEW Goodwill retail stores are being built like crazy. I have no idea why since all these stores are filled with overpriced JUNK! Literally, the worse crap I’ve seen make their way into these retail stores. $2 to $4 bucks for a VHS tape? On what planet? LOL. They cut back on their sales, which used to be weekly but even at 50% off, the prices are still too high. Those who donate these days try to avoid giving to Goodwill, no wonder.
Goodwill pays their executives well because you have to in order to get good ones. People don’t work for free, especially good ones. I love to help others in need as much as the next person but would I do my job for 1/10th of my current salary to do so? NOPE and I don’t expect a CEO making $1 million to do it for $100,000 either. Get a grip people.
Hi Colin. Kit want to confirm…USPS will pick up the packages from your home even though UPS is the shipping courier? Do you know how to set up a scheduled pickup? I’m trying to online and when I get to the package details, it’s all USPS options.
Hmm, were you able to download and print the FREE USPS or UPS prepaid shipping labels? Also, it looks like they pair you with the local carrier, so if that is what is popping up for you for your location, that should be correct. It looks like you can contact them with any questions here: info@givebackbox.com Or By Phone: +1 310-954-2003 Hope this helps!