The post holiday period is a great time for a little pre-spring cleaning. As you make room for new items that require space in cupboards and closets, take stock of items that continue to be useful and that continue to ‘give you joy,’ as Marie Kondo would say. For any item that has outlived its usefulness, consider donating it to one of the many Bay Area non-profit organizations that serve struggling individuals and families. Your gently worn clothing, pots and pans, and other household items can make a huge difference to others. Warm clothing and coats are especially valued during these colder months. Don’t wait for spring to get the household organized; try it now. The satisfaction derived from ‘everything in its place’ is immensely superseded by the satisfaction of knowing you made a difference to those in need. Here are a few local non-profits that will gladly accept your items:

Vestia’s Community Closet: Vestia (Volunteers and Emergency Services Team in Action) operates a community closet for clients in their Ready-to-Work Program. New and gently-used interview clothing, clean and on hangers, can be donated by appointment every Tuesday 10am-1pm. Please call 925-521-5064 to donate.

Vestia also accepts furniture and household goods for clients of the Contra Costa Interfaith Coalition, many of whom are homeless and possess nothing. They accept beds, pots, pans, small appliances, bedding, towels, and furnishings. Please call 925-933-7040 to donate.

Also operated by Vestia – One Warm Coat. Vestia collects warm, new and gently used coats, jackets, sweatshirts, and rain gear for low-income families and foster children. Please call 925-521-5064 to donate.

Dress For Success: Like Vestia’s Community Closet, Dress For Success provides women with professional clothing suitable to wear to a job interview. Donations of clean and ironed clothing, not more than five years old, can be made Tuesday, January 21st, 1 – 4pm at the Dress for Success San Francisco Boutique, 500 Sutter Street, Suite #218, San Francisco. Contact shay@dfssanfrancisco.org for more information.

The Princess Project: Donate prom dresses to this organization the promotes self-confidence by providing free dresses to high school teens who can’t otherwise afford them. Donations can be made to their Oakland location. Click here for more information.