Donating to charity does not always have to involve straight up cash, there are plenty other ways for you to donate other than through bank transfers. I created this post to showcase some of the best charities I have came across in terms of donating old items that you no longer use and have lying around your home! Of course handing in your old clothes to nearby charities is always a nice idea to help out those who can't afford to buy from big brands directly, but there are also other options in ways you can donate items straight to people in need, for no charge at all.
Keep reading to find out how.
Give And Makeup
Give and Makeup is a non-profitable charity that brings beauty essentials to women and children who are seeking help and escaping from domestic violence. They work alongside Refuge and Women's Aid to help women who are fleeing from domestic relationships across the UK.
In most cases, these woman fleeing have done so with their children if they have any, and often have no belongings as all they want is to escape their abusers. They are in need of basic cosmetics and essentials that many women take for granted in order to help them get back on their feet and feel a sense of normality again.
That eyeshadow palette you didn't like the shades of, that body wash that just wasn't for your skin type, or that shampoo you received two of- could be someone's aid.
The charity accepts both new and second hand cosmetics- which is the revolutionary part! as most charities won't accept anything that has been even slightly opened- which results in so so much waste of products that are perfectly fine to be used.
Here is what they accept, according to their website:
New or slightly used makeup: foundation, powder, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner,…
Unopened makeup: concealer, mascara, lipgloss and lipstick
Everyday essentials: shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, deodorant, toothpaste, body lotion, feminine hygiene products, shaving products, DIY hair dye kits,…
Skincare: cleanser, toner, moisturiser, exfoliator,..
However, please note anything with an applicator cannot be donated, due to genuine hygiene reasons (such as lipgloss, mascara or lipstick) or just extremely old and expired makeup- nobody wants to end up with an infection! Just ask yourself: would I give this to a friend? If yes, send it their way!
How To Send
Simply pack up the products you no longer need and post it to:
London: Give And Makeup PO BOX 855 London W4 4AW
Wales: Give and MakeUp c/o Escentual.com 63-67 Wellfied Road Cardiff CF24 3PA
Smalls For All
Smalls for All is a Scottish based charity which collects underwear in order to pass it on to children in need in Africa and the UK.
The charity collects fresh and new pants (none second hand) alongside bras, which can be second hand or new. Underwear is the one thing that most people have so much of, but never actually wears it all, especially bras. Think of how many you have right now that are too small, uncomfortable, too big- these would be perfect to donate to this project.
Smalls for all helps those living in orphanages, slums, internally displaced persons camps and schools as well as those suffering from medical conditions in hospitals. They work alongside other charities and organisations who help them transport the bras and pants over to Africa.
Here are 5 organisations that Smalls for All have donated to so far this year:
46,000 pairs of new pants and new and gently worn bras to NPAC.
1,088 pairs of new pants to the Baby Bank Scotland, a charity supporting their local community.
850 pairs of new pants to Freedom for Girls UK, an organisation supplying washable reusable period pads to girls in Kenya and Uganda.
1,500 pairs of new pants to Chifundo UK, an organisation supporting girls in and around Blantyre, Malawi.
1,000 pairs of new pants to Pass it on Trust Uganda, supporting girls and women in Kampala and other remote parts of Uganda.
How To Send
Simply buy a packet of pants or new/ gently worn bras and send them over to the address below!
Whilst they collect all sizes of pants, those they look for the most are ladies size 8-14, children aged 3-15 or men size XS-L. And while we collect all colours, the ladies’ pants in greatest demand are black – in full brief, midi, mini or high leg (in the smaller sizes). The bras they collect can be any size, including sports and nursing bras, but not cropped top style or bikini tops.
Address
Smalls for All®
Five Sisters Business Park
Westwood
West Calder
EH55 8PN
United Kingdom
Freedom4girls
Freedom for girls is a UK registered charity fighting period poverty. Their missions and aims are to support those who menstruate by challenging the stigma associated with menstruation through education. They believe that there is a strong importance in normalising conversations about periods, myth busting, and providing a safe place for healthy conversations about periods.
They are based in Leeds and have a number of projects that run in regions of East Africa, specifically Kenya and Uganda.
"No girl should miss school because she is on her period.
No woman should be forced to miss work because she is on her period.
Please help us end worldwide period poverty, together!"
How To Help:
You can help by either making a cash donation, or donating sanitary products to them which they can then distribute to people who need it the most.
£7 is all it costs to create a reusable period pad pack that will last up to 3 years. This will then support one of the beneficiaries in their East Africa projects to manage their menstrual health, to feel comfortable when they get their periods and to stay in school.
Alternatively, they gladly accept donations of in date disposable or washable, reusable menstrual products from both members of the public, businesses or product providers. Freedom4Girls currently have a number of donation stations set up across Leeds, and other areas of West Yorkshire.
They also accept postal donations. If you would like to donate products to them, contact them for more information: Contact Details : Freedom4Girls UK
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