Do you purge your home after Christmas? Do you want to declutter your home? Does your kid(s) have so many items that they either do not fit in, play with or read anymore? This guide is meant to help you, the reader, find the most convenient place to donate your gently used children’s toys and books (and possibly some other items, too).
Eastbank
3122 Severn Avenue Metairie, LA
- They buy and sell; but you can choose to donate if you do not wish to be reimbursed monetarily.
- They will buy/accept gently used: children’s toys, books, clothing, movies etc.
Hope Closet: Drop Off Location:
1917 Airline Drive Metairie, LA
- Located inside of the Celebration Church on Airline Highway
- Drop off your donations on Friday/ Saturday
Friends of the Jefferson Public Library: Drop off Location:
4747 West Napoleon Avenue Metairie, LA
- They accept donations of new and used hard cover and paperback books, records, CDs, and DVDs at their sorting center in the Administration section of the East Bank Regional Library in Metairie
- Drop of days/times: Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
- There are also drop bins in the side of the building marked for the Friends.
- The following items may be refused or discarded:
- books with the following flaws: taped, torn, or bent covers; damaged spines, malodorous; wet, mildewed, or excessively dirty books; and/or excessive underlining or writing on the pages
- Age limitations for Health; Self-Help; Business; any category of Textbooks – must not be older than 5 years; Encyclopedias—must not be older than 2 years (some exceptions)
- Magazines; Readers Digest Condensed Books; Home Recorded Videos; Sets or Partial Sets of Law Books
Locations vary.
- Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Our mission is to be a catalyst for building community, inspiring readers, and expanding book access for all through a global network of volunteer-led Little Free Library book-exchange boxes.
- Find your nearest book exchange: take a book and give a book.
Westbank
3645 Woodmere Blvd. Harvey, LA
- ATS has more than 2,500 donations bins around the country, accepting donations such as shoes, accessories, toys, books etc.
New Orleans
Second Chance Toys Drop Off Location: First Grace Community Alliance:
3401 Canal Street New Orleans, LA
- Maximum 50 toys
- Drop Off
- Accepted Items: Plastic Toys, Baby Items, Big Kid Toys (Crafts, Electronics)
Goodwill of Southeastern LA: Headquarters:
3400 Tulane Avenue Suite 100 New Orleans, LA
- You can donate items to the nearest location to you.
- Please note, they cannot accept car seats, highchairs, play pens or cribs.
- They also offer home pick up, which can be scheduled here.
1830 Rousseau St New Orleans, LA
- This organization accepts used clothes, bedding, small household items etc.
- Charity Clothing Pickup organizes the collection of clothing and small household items across the United States. They then forward the donated items to local and national charities and non-profit organizations.
- Check out local drop box locations here by entering your zip code.
You can also check out these local Facebook groups for donation of items. Go to Facebook, then to groups, then search the following:
- Mom to Mom NOLA: Free Swap Group
- Kids Stuff: Swap, Sell, Donate!!
Also check out https://buynothingproject.org/. This website offers members a way to give and receive, share, lend and express gratitude through a worldwide network of hyper-local gift economies in which the true wealth is the web of connections formed between people who are real life neighbors. You can post anything you would like to give away, lend or share – for free!
