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Donation Opportunities

Waste generated by businesses can be reduced through the socially and environmentally responsible act of donation. Many social service organizations in the Twin Cities metro area are in continuous need of food, clothing, household items and office goods. By donating your overstocked inventory and gently used office equipment and supplies, you can: 

  • Obtain a receipt for tax deductions.
  • Help advance a worthy cause.
  • Save valuable natural resources.

For locations that businesses can donate to, click on the "Service Locations" tab above.

County Agencies

The following agencies serve their county residents by providing food, housing, clothing and other programs through donations. Items accepted from businesses vary; call first.

Anoka Anoka County Community Action Program (ACCAP) (763) 783-4747
Carver CAP Agency, Inc. (952) 496-2125
Dakota CAP Agency, Inc. (651) 322-3500
Hennepin People Responding in Social Ministry (PRISM) (763) 529-1350
Ramsey Ramsey County Community Human Services (651) 266-4444
Washington Community Action - A Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties (651) 645-6445


Non-Profit Agencies

To locate agencies that accept donations, check the list on the "Service Locations" tab, see the local phone directory under "Social Service Organizations" or contact your favorite charity.


Food Banks

Food Banks are clearinghouses for donated food and grocery products distributed to food shelves, soup kitchens and other non-profit agencies whose mission is to help people in need. Check the list on the "Service Locations" tab or for additional listings, see our materials page on Food.

Case Study

One Company's Used Peanuts Are Another's Gold

Using the Minnesota Materials Exchange allowed Superior Third Party Logistics in St. Paul to stretch its budget by receiving free packaging materials. The company needs a consistent supply of quality packaging materials to operate its warehouse and shipping business. Having used the Materials Exchange previously, the company's operations manager thought the program could save the company money by finding good, usable items - and it did. EI Microcircuits in Mankato was looking for a recipient for its used bubble wrap and packing peanuts. The Materials Exchange matched the two businesses, and the warehouse now receives 720cubic feet of materials from EI Microcircuits every two months. Reusing the materials saves Superior about $5,000 a year in purchase costs. 

Author: Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP)

Business Items

Business can donate computers, office furniture and supplies along with quality reusable goods through some of the programs listed on the "Service Locations" tab.


School Support

View the list on the "Service Locations" tab or check with your local school for more donation opportunities.


Building Materials

View the list on the "Service Locations" tab or for more options, search your local phone directory under "Salvage-Merchandise".

Service Locations

Click on a facility for more information, including a list of other items accepted.

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1

Arc's Value Village - Brooklyn Center

Business Materials Notes

Arc's Value Village Thrift stores accept gently used and new clothing and household items.  Drive up and drop off 7 days a week.

View more information
(including other items accepted)
6330 Brooklyn Blvd.
Brooklyn Center
p: 763-503-3534
2

Arc's Value Village - New Hope

Business Materials Notes

Arc's Value Village Thrift stores accept gently used and new clothing and household items. Drive up and drop off 7 days a week. View more information
(including other items accepted)
2751 Winnetka Avenue North
New Hope
p: 763-544-0006
3

Arc's Value Village - Richfield

Business Materials Notes

Arc's Value Village Thrift stores accept gently used and new clothing and household items.  Drive up and drop off 7 days a week.

View more information
(including other items accepted)
6528 Penn Ave South
Richfield
p: 612-861-9550
4

Arc's Value Village - St. Paul

Business Materials Notes

Arc's Value Village Thrift stores accept gently used and new clothing and household items.  Drive up and drop off 7 days a week.

View more information
(including other items accepted)
1650 White Bear Ave N
St. Paul
p: 651-788-8300
5

ArtStart/ArtScraps

Business Materials Notes

Non-Profit Agency 

ArtScraps accepts scrap materials, overstock, factory rejects and other items which are then made available to teachers, parents, artists, daycare providers or anyone interested in reducing waste through reuse of discarded materials. All items must be clean, non-toxic and suitable for children to handle. Examples of items accepted include leather scraps and unprinted construction paper. Call first for materials accepted.

View more information
(including other items accepted)
1459 St. Clair Avenue
St. Paul
p: 651-698-2787
6

Bridging, Inc. - Bloomington

Business Materials Notes

Bridging provides furniture and household goods to local families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Quality, gently used donations of furniture and household goods are accepted. Donations are accepted at two Twin Cities locations; pickups available (fees apply). View a list of accepted items online at www.bridging.org. View more information
(including other items accepted)
201 W 87th Street
Bloomington
p: 952-888-1105
7

Bridging, Inc. - Roseville

Business Materials Notes

Bridging provides furniture and household goods to local families and individuals transitioning out of homelessness and poverty. Quality, gently used donations of furniture and household goods are accepted. Donations are accepted at two Twin Cities locations; pickups available (fees apply). View a list of accepted items online at www.bridging.org. View more information
(including other items accepted)
1633 Terrace Drive
Roseville
p: 651-631-3255
8

Charities Review Council of Minnesota

Business Materials Notes

Charities Review Council of Minnesota maintains a listing of non-profit organizations that accept donations. See web site for examples of items accepted. View more information
(including other items accepted)
2610 University Avenue West
St. Paul
p: 651-224-7030
9

Companies to Classrooms

Business Materials Notes

Companies to Classrooms is a not-for-profit organization that accepts excess surplus supplies and inventories from local businesses for use by students, teachers and staff in local area schools.

View more information
(including other items accepted)
8301 Grand Avenue South, #200
Bloomington
p: 952-888-7708
10

Computers for Schools Program

Business Materials Notes

Computers for Schools (MN Correctional Facility) accepts computer equipment in good functioning condition, which is then refurbished for use by schools. Donations accepted by appointment only; call first. Businesses only. View more information
(including other items accepted)
970 Pickett Street North
Bayport
p: 651-779-2816
11

Disabled American Veterans

Business Materials Notes

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) accepts clothing, household items and automobiles (1993 and newer). View more information
(including other items accepted)
1285 Cope Ave, Suite 600
Maplewood
p: 651-487-2002
12

Emergency Food Shelf Network

View more information
(including other items accepted)
8501 54th Avenue North
New Hope
p: 763-450-3860
13

Furnish Office and Home

Business Materials Notes

Project for Pride in Living (PPL) assists lower-income individuals and families to work toward self-sufficiency by providing housing, jobs and training. PPL accepts office furniture and supplies plus a wide variety of household items. Visit the website for items currently accepted. View more information
(including other items accepted)
850 15th Avenue NE
Minneapolis
p: 612-789-3322
14

Goodwill/Easter Seals

Business Materials Notes

More than 20 locations throughout Minnesota and in Hudson, WI

Goodwill operates drive-thru donation centers at its retail locations seven days a week. We welcome items in good and excellent condition, including: clothing, shoes, housewares, collectibles, electronics, books, sporting goods, games/toys (with all pieces), medical equipment, furniture and more. We also provide a pick-up service for donated vehicles. Please visit www.goodwilleasterseals.org for more information.

View more information
(including other items accepted)
553 Fairview Avenue
St. Paul
p: 651-379-5800
15

Greater Lake Country Food Bank

Business Materials Notes

Food Bank View more information
(including other items accepted)
554 8th Ave N
Minneapolis
p: 612-340-9694
16

Greater Twin Cities United Way

Business Materials Notes

The Greater Twin Cities United Way's 2-1-1 Minnesota(TM) information and referral program connects individuals with community services such as organizations that accept donations on a case-by-case basis. View more information
(including other items accepted)
404 S. Eight Street
Minneapolis
p: 651-291-0211 or 211
17

Hope Community

Business Materials Notes

Non-profit donation opportunities View more information
(including other items accepted)
611 E. Franklin Ave
Minneapolis
p: 612-874-8867
18

Jobs Foundation

Business Materials Notes

The Jobs Foundation mission is to help economically disadvantaged adults overcome barriers to employment. Jobs Foundation employs economically disadvantaged adults in self-funding business enterprises such as online sales of donated business, commercial and personal goods. Employees receive on-the-job training in fundamentals of work, social interaction, and a minimum of three marketable skills such as pickup and delivery services, warehouse operations, administrative and bookkeeping services, and sales and marketing. Thank you for your support of Jobs Foundation. View more information
(including other items accepted)
2050 East Center Circle Ste 400
Plymouth
p: 763-432-3117
19

Leonardo's Basement

Business Materials Notes

Leonardo's Basement accepts building materials, tools and hardware to provide innovative learning environments for children aged 6-16 and their families. Also accepts telephones, VCRs, toys, and many other items. For a list of suggestions, see the website. View more information
(including other items accepted)
4301 Nicollet Avenue S
Minneapolis
p: 612-824-4394
20

Minnesota Materials Exchange Program

Business Materials Notes

The Minnesota Materials Exchange Program connects businesses that have quality reusable goods with those who can use them. Search the program's web site for available and wanted materials, including boxes, drums, office furniture and supplies, packing materials and pallets. Most items are free or available at low cost. View more information
(including other items accepted)
200 Oak Street SE, Suite 350
Minneapolis
p: 612-624-1300
21

Northfield Community Action Center

Business Materials Notes

Also accepts in-season, used clothing. View more information
(including other items accepted)
1651 Jefferson Pkwy, Suite HS-200
Northfield
p: 507-664-3550
22

Sabathani Community Center

View more information
(including other items accepted)
310 38th St E
Minneapolis
p: 612-821-2303
23

School Support/Minneapolis Public Schools

Business Materials Notes

Minneapolis Federation of Teachers

School Support accepts any items that could be used in public school classrooms such as pencils, pens, markers, copy paper, scrap paper (such as outdated company letterhead), magazines, plastic bags, back-packs, canvas bags, notebooks, file folders, office supplies, fabric, and most types of art materials. Call for items currently accepted. View more information
(including other items accepted)
67 8th Ave NE
Minneapolis
p: 612-529-9621
24

Second Harvest Farms, Inc.

View more information
(including other items accepted)
PO Box 147
Cedar
p: 763-434-9044
25

Second Harvest Heartland

Business Materials Notes

Each week, the Food Rescue Program’s trucks and drivers regularly collect produce, dairy, meat, bakery and shelf-stable items from more than 220 area retail businesses. The Food Rescue Program is a great way to make significant donations of some of the most-needed food items. View more information
(including other items accepted)
1140 Gervais Ave
St. Paul
p: 651-484-5117
26

St. Paul Public Schools

Business Materials Notes

St. Paul Public Schools accepts the following furniture in usable condition: desks, tables, chairs, bookcases, file cabinets and metal open storage shelving. Call for items currently accepted. Inspection of furniture required prior to donation. View more information
(including other items accepted)
1001 Johnson Parkway
St. Paul
p: 651-793-5590
27

Stone Soup Thrift Shop

Business Materials Notes

Accepted:  Small appliances, bedding linens, books, CD's, clothing, crafts, electronics, furniture pick up available, call for items currently accepted. View more information
(including other items accepted)
950 3rd Street
Suite 101
Saint Paul Park
p: 651-458-9786
28

Summit Academy, OIC

Business Materials Notes

Summit Academy accepts usable building materials for use in student carpentry projects. Call for materials currently accepted. View more information
(including other items accepted)
935 Olson Memorial Hwy
Minneapolis
p: 612-377-0150
29

The Salvation Army

Business Materials Notes

The Salvation Army accepts the following items (in good and working condition): furniture, clothing, miscellaneous household items, small appliances, books, electronics, computers and automobiles. Pick-up service is available. Call for items currently accepted.

For a map of drop-off locations, click here.

View more information
(including other items accepted)
900 N. Fourth Street
Minneapolis
p: 612-332-5855
This information is provided as a public service and is not intended to be an endorsement of any business, organization or service. For additional listings, check your local phone directory.

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