The Best Places to Donate Used Items in Lancaster, PA

If you and your family are like most American families, you probably have a lot of extra stuff. Sports equipment, baby furniture, electronics, books, clothes, kitchenware, etc. The thing is, most people hate to throw things away, even if they’re damaged. So we stuff things everywhere we can, including the closet, attic, basement, and even under the bed. That works great until it doesn’t. The day you realize you have stuff you don’t want, need, or use, you start thinking, “maybe it’s time I donate this stuff to the less fortunate.” Read on to learn about the best places to donate used items in Lancaster, PA! We put together a list of donation locations below. 

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Community Aid

One of the top donation locations in Lancaster is Community Aid. They have 6 locations across Central Pennsylvania and employ over 400 fine folks. Community Aid accepts donations of almost anything in the typical home. (Check out their donation guide to make sure!) The organization also has over 350 donation bins around Central Pennsy for your convenience. (You can see a map of them here.) Community Aid is a proper Pennsylvania organization helping your neighbors in the state. For that reason, we put them first on today’s list.

Community Aid

31 Rohrerstown Rd Lancaster, PA 17603

717-412-7706

donate

The Salvation Army Thrift Store

The Salvation Army has been helping people since its foundation in 1865 in Great Britain. The Salvation Army takes donations of almost all household items, which you can drop off at their location in Lancaster. They will also come to you and pick up your donated items. Have an old vehicle that you want to get rid of? The Salvation Army will take that off your hands also. They then sell your used items for super-low prices to folks in need. They will also give you a receipt to deduct it from your taxes. Whatever you want to donate, they will gladly accept it.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store

1244 Manheim Pike, Lancaster, PA, 17601

800-728-7825

donate

Goodwill Store, Outlet Center & Donation Center

Founded in Bostom, MA, in 1902, Goodwill Industries (aka Goodwill) has been helping the needy for over a century. In 2018, they generated just over $6 billion in revenue. The organization spent 89% of those revenues on community outreach services that helped 37 million+ people. That money goes to community services of many kinds. Goodwill accepts donations of practically anything in your home, including large furniture. Then, like most charitable organizations of this kind, sell them at low prices. Like The Salvation Army, Goodwill also gives you a receipt for tax purposes.

Goodwill Store, Outlet Center & Donation Center

2353 Lincoln Highway E, Lancaster, PA 17602

717-509-4015

Water Street Mission

Although founded in 1905, Water Street Mission is a small, community-minded donation location. Due to their limited size, they only accept certain types of clothing. They also take specific sizes of sheets and blankets. (You can see a list of what they accept here.) Also, Water Street Mission doesn’t sell donated items but gives them directly to folks who need them. They also accept donations of canned and dry food and sundry items. Like the other organizations on today’s list, your contributions are tax-deductible.

Water Street Mission

Water Street, Lancaster, PA, 17602

(Corenr of Farnum Street)

717-393-7709

donate

Food Hub Clothing Bank

The Food Hub Clothing bank is unique and gives away all the clothing you donate. Folks from all over Lancaster can come to their store and get any clothes they need once every two months. Interestingly, they only get 15 minutes to shop, although volunteers are there to help. They accept practically all clothing, from shirts and pants to shoes, boots, jackets, hats, gloves, ties, you name it. They also accept food donations and feed over 600 people a week! (Click this link to visit Lancaster Food Hub and donate food.)

Food Hub Clothing Bank

27 West Clay Street, Lancaster PA 17601

717-291-2261

Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County

This organization’s name says it all. The Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County is deeply involved in the community. They take donations of new or gently used clothing and give them to needy folks all over the area. They will also help you set up a donation drive at your work! We like that they help everyone; veterans, teens in trouble, abused women and children, the homeless, etc. They also have a safe house that uses your donated items, especially for the kitchen. If you love Lancaster and want to help your neighbors, the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County is an excellent choice.

Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County

601 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA  17603

717-299-7301

All the Donation Information you Need in Lancaster, PA

Although not a donation location per se, Lancaster Online has all the information you need on where to donate. They also have information on where to recycle items that no longer have value. It’s a great way to help Mother nature!

The Best Places to Donate in Lancaster Brought to you by Moove-In Self Storage

We hope you found today’s information helpful and have found a place to donate your unwanted items. At Moove-in Self Storage, we believe in helping our community and neighbors helping neighbors. Your used clothing and other household goods can make a huge, positive impact on someone’s life. All the organizations we’ve listed today are well-respected, loved in our community, and well worth your donations. We thank you for taking the time to read today’s article and helping make Lancaster, PA, a great city.

This post was originally published on 06/23/2020. It was updated on 09/22/2022.