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Donating to Old Colony Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore is a fantastic way to give back to your community while also ensuring that your gently used items find a new home. The ReStore, located at 9 Washington Street in Attleboro, MA, accepts a variety of donations that are resold at reduced prices, with all proceeds going toward affordable housing projects. However, not all items are suitable for donation. Understanding what can and cannot be accepted helps reduce waste, keep costs down, and maximizes the impact of your contributions.

The Importance of Knowing What to Donate

The ReStore plays a crucial role in Old Colony Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build homes and foster sustainable communities. The money generated through ReStore sales supports home builds which are aimed at providing affordable housing to families in need. By donating good-quality items, you ensure that the ReStore can continue funding these homes.​

However, not all donations are created equal. Items that are damaged, broken, or unsuitable for resale not only take up valuable space in the store but also cost money to dispose of properly.  The ReStore relies heavily on community donations, so when we receive inappropriate items, it creates additional costs that could otherwise be used to further their mission

What Can Be Donated

The ReStore accepts a broad range of gently used or new household items and building materials, which can be dropped off or scheduled for pickup. Examples of acceptable donations include:

• Furniture: Gently used sofas, chairs, tables, and cabinets in good condition
• Appliances: Refrigerators, washers, dryers, ovens, and microwaves that are in working order
• Building Materials: Lumber, doors, windows, flooring, and lighting fixtures
• Tools: Hand tools, power tools, and other equipment
• Decorative Items: Mirrors, artwork, and home decor that are clean and undamaged

Each of these items can find new life through ReStore, helping shoppers to furnish their homes at reasonable prices, while also keeping reusable goods out of landfills.

The Pickup Service

The ReStore typically does pickups on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays for larger items, which can be a great option if you have furniture or appliances that you’re unable to transport yourself. This service comes with a small donation fee, which helps cover the costs of Truck repairs, maintenance, and fuel. However, due to limited availability, it’s encouraged that donors drop off items at the store when possible. This helps keep the service efficient and ensures more donations can be processed​. 

What Cannot Be Donated

There are several types of items that the ReStore  cannot accept due to safety, sanitation, or disposal issues. Knowing this in advance can help save time and prevent unnecessary costs. Examples of unacceptable donations include:

• Mattresses: Due to hygiene concerns, the ReStore cannot accept mattresses of any kind
• Damaged or Stained Furniture: Upholstered items with tears, stains, or odors are not suitable for donation
• Electronics and Televisions: Old or broken electronics are costly to dispose of and cannot be resold
• Hazardous Materials: Items such as paint, chemicals, or other hazardous materials are not accepted
• Broken Appliances: Non-functional appliances, including dishwashers and faucets, cannot be repaired or resold
• Clothing and Linens: While some donation centers accept clothing, Old Colony Habitat’s ReStore focuses on furniture, appliances, and building materials. Please consider researching another non-profit organization where you can direct your clothing and linen donations​

Inappropriate donations not only take up storage space but can also incur significant disposal costs. When donors leave items that the ReStore cannot use or resell, the organization must pay to have them removed, which detracts from their mission of building homes and helping families. According to Habitat for Humanity International, improper donations cost thousands of dollars annually—money that could otherwise be directed toward providing housing solutions​

Visual Examples of Good vs. Bad Donations

In the image above, you can see a comparison of good and bad donations. On the left are examples of appropriate donations such as a clean, gently used sofa, a refrigerator in good working condition, and neatly stacked lumber. These items are all in excellent condition and can be resold to raise funds for Habitat’s work. On the right, you see items that are considered bad donations: a stained mattress, a broken television, and a torn and soiled couch. These items cannot be resold and would require the ReStore to pay for their disposal, ultimately costing the organization more than they benefit from it.

Making Your Donation Count

Every time you donate wisely, you help Old Habitat for Humanity in their mission to build affordable homes and promote sustainability. Each piece of furniture, every appliance, and all the building materials that pass through the ReStore directly contribute to building homes, creating hope, and reducing waste. By ensuring that your donations meet the ReStore’s standards, you make a significant difference in the lives of local families and the health of the planet.

A Final Note on Sustainability

One of the great benefits of donating to the ReStore is the environmental impact. By giving your gently used items a second life, you’re helping reduce the need for new products and cutting down on waste. Old Colony Habitat for Humanity is committed to sustainability, and every donation contributes to a greener future by preventing usable goods from ending up in landfills​

Next time you’re clearing out your garage, remodeling your home, or simply decluttering, consider the types of items that could be reused and resold at the ReStore. Your thoughtful donation helps to fund the building of our next house which our next Partner Family will call home!

To make the most of your donation to Old Colony Habitat for Humanity, it’s essential to follow a few simple steps. First, check the list of accepted items on their website to ensure your donation meets their guidelines. If you have larger items and are unable to deliver them yourself, you can schedule a pickup by filling out the donation form on the website or calling the ReStore directly at 508-639-9577. A staff member will contact you to discuss the items and arrange a convenient pickup time.

Before heading to the ReStore, it’s important to ensure your items are in good condition and approved for donation. If you’re dropping off donations, call ahead to confirm that your items are acceptable, saving you time and ensuring your trip is successful. Following these guidelines helps keep costs down and supports Habitat for Humanity’s mission of providing affordable housing to families in need.

Together, we can build a stronger, more supportive community for everyone. Contact the ReStore today at 508-639-9577 or by email restore@oldcolonyhabitat.org.

To make a charitable donation, visit this link or contact Kimberly Thomas at dir@oldcolonyhabitat.org. Your generosity matters, and together, we can make this dream come true.

Thank you for your continued support.