Donating Used Toys In The Bay Area - Tinybeans

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Donating Used Toys in the Bay Area Donate what you don't need and help out someone at the same time. Win-win! By TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton May 1, 2022 A girl holds a box of toys to donate

It’s always a good time to give back to your community. Why not give back, declutter your closets and toy bins while helping the planet at the same time? We’ve gathered a list of places where you can used toy donations support great causes and families in need. Everybody wins!

San Francisco

ToyCycle

Looking to offload some of your pre-loved toys to another family in your community? ToyCycle is perfect and offers peer-to-peer toy recycling where you post available items and arrange for pick up and vice versa if you see an item that you can use. They even have an app that makes it easy to post the items that you'd like to pass down. Note: Items are sorted by age to make it easier to find what you need.

Online: toy-cycle.org

SCRAPOld objects find new lives at SCRAP, the Bay Area's first re-use center for creative education. Donations of art supplies, craft supplies, toys, textiles and office supplies are sorted, stored and made available to the community for educational programs and creative projects in the classroom and at home. SCRAP accepts donations of clean, reusable materials Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check online for a full list of accepted materials and call ahead to ensure that they have enough storage space to accept your donation.

801 Toland St.San Francisco, CAOnline: scrap-sf.org

Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center in San Francisco accepts used toy donations, books and children's clothing. Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sun., 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers. You can even schedule a pickup!

3921 Geary BlvdSan Francisco, CAOnline: salvationarmyusa.org

Edgewood

Editor's Note: Edgewood Center for Children and Families has moved from San Carlos to San Francisco.

New Location Alert! The Edgewood Center for Children and Families has moved but is still providing treatment and prevention programs to children, youth and families that have experienced traumatic stress. Show your support by donating to their wish list that includes art supplies, gently used tablets, personal care items, sports equipment, household items, books, dolls, puppets, toy trucks and games in new or excellent condition. Donations are given directly to clients.

1801 Vicente St.San Francisco, CAOnline: edgewood.org

GoodwillGoodwill in San Francisco accepts donations of household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys. Drop off hours are Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sun. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.

1669 Fillmore St.San Francisco, CAOnline: goodwill.org

Homeless Prenatal ProgramFor over 30 years the Homeless Prenatal Program in San Francisco has been serving as an empowering resource center for families. The center accepts gently used baby and maternity clothing, children's and parenting books. COVID-19 Update: The program is ONLY accepting baby formula, baby food, diapers and wipes at this time. Call for drop-off hours. You can also make a cash donation online.

2500 18th St.San Francisco, CAOnline: homelessprenatal.org

SF SmilesSF Smiles collects donations by appointment only of new and gently used essentials for individuals and families in need throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. SF Smiles is run on a volunteer basis by Chad Christensen out of his family home in the Inner Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco. Chad and his volunteers redistribute donations directly to families and also work with many local organizations to reach their programs’ clients.

Online: sfsmiles.org

East Bay

BANANAS

Editor's Note: BANANAS is not accepting on-site donations at this time. Visit their Virtual Boutique to learn how to help those in need.

BANANAS provides affordable child care, workshops, classes and support groups for families in Northern Alameda County. Their BANANAS Boutique provides low-income parents with free books, toys and equipment for their children. Your donations of clean and gently used toys, books, puzzles, games, children's clothing and maternity wear keep the boutique stocked up. Items can be dropped off during business hours. Due to limited space, the BANANAS Boutique occasionally reaches storage capacity, so call ahead before heading over.

5232 Claremont AveOakland, CAOnline: bananasbunch.org

Davis StreetThis organization assists families in need by addressing issues facing low-income families and the homeless. In addition to gently used clothing, the organization also accepts household items, backpacks and school supplies in the fall as well as new toys for its holiday program. Donation hours are Mon.-Tues. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. COVID-19 Update: Only donations of in-kind donations of unexpired non-perishable canned food are being accepted.

3081 Teagarden StreetSan Leandro, CAOnline: Davisstreet.org

Loved Twice

Loved Twice is a nonprofit organization that supports new mothers by providing them with baby clothing. They accept baby clothing sizes 0-12 months only and can also take small blankets and board books. Loved Twice has several Bay Area drop-off locations for your convenience. Visit their website to see if there’s a location near you and make a donation today!

Online: lovedtwice.org

Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center in Alameda accepts used toy donations, books and children's clothing, Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

1918 Park StAlameda, CAOnline: salvationarmyusa.org

GoodwillGoodwill in Oakland accepts donations of household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys. Drop-off hours are Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.

2925 E. 14th StOakland, CAOnline: goodwill.org

Peninsula

GoodwillGoodwill in Palo Alto accepts donations of household items, women’s clothing, men’s clothing and children’s items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games, and toys. Drop-off hours are Mon.-Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.

4085 El Camino WayPalo Alto, CAOnline: goodwill.org

PARCAPARCA helps people with development disabilities and their families at all stages of their lives, from children’s services to independent residential programs to respite care. Through a partnership with Saver’s Stores, PARCA turns used clothing and household item donations into funds that support their programs. Requested items include toys, games, puzzles, stuffed animals, bicycles and sports equipment, as well as clothes and household items. Donors can schedule a donation pick up over the phone and online, or drop off donations at Saver’s Thrift Store in Redwood City or Milpitas, during store hours.

800 Airport Blvd., Suite 320Burlingame, CAOnline: parca.org

CORA

This organization supports families escaping intimate partner abuse. Their needs include diapers, new clothing, umbrellas, strollers and more. They run seasonal school supply drives. You can view their wish list here and drop off donations at their office. COVID-19 Update: CORA is currently not accepting donations of goods. Check their website for updates.

2211 Palm Ave.San Mateo, CAOnline: corasupport.org

South Bay

LifeMovesLifeMoves provides interim shelter and services for families. Linens, towels and blankets are among the family shelters' greatest need. Household supplies such as towels are also needed for incoming residents. View shelter wish lists here and consider making a donation today.

184 South 11th StreetSan Jose CAOnline: lifemoves.org

Salvation ArmyWe moved! The Salvation Army Family Store in San Jose is now located on West Taylor Street. It accepts used toy donations such as books, bikes, games, stuffed animals and children's clothing, Mon.-Sat. 9 a.m. to 8p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m.-6p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

702 W. Taylor St.San Jose, CAOnline: salvationarmyusa.org

Santa Maria Urban Ministry

Santa Maria Urban Ministry was founded in 1983 to provide emergency food to impoverished families in downtown San Jose. Santa Maria has provided a food pantry continuously for 38 years and also collects donations of clothing and goods for families in need. In addition to clothing and care items, there is a need for school and craft supplies. Learn more about their wish lists and make a donation.

778 South Almaden AvenueSan Jose, CAOnline: santamariasj.org

Marin

Salvation ArmyThe Salvation Army does more than just ring bells and accept change! Their Family Store and Donation Trailer in San Rafael accepts donations Tues.-Sat. 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Donated items are sold in the Family Store and the proceeds are used to fund the Salvation Army's Adult Rehabilitation Centers.

350 Fourth StSan Rafael, CAOnline: salvationarmyusa.org

GoodwillDrop off your used toy donations, household items, women's clothing, men's clothing and children's items including books, baby gear (must meet current safety standards), sports equipment, games and toys at Goodwill's Drop Off Center, located inside the Mill Valley Safeway on Camino Alto. Drop off hours are Mon.-Sun., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donated items are sold in Goodwill stores and the proceeds are used to fund programs that help disadvantaged individuals learn competitive job skills and find employment.

1 Camino AltoMill Valley, CAOnline: goodwill.org

—TaLeiza Calloway-Appleton and Chantal Lamers

Featured photo: iStock

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