Ah, springtime. It’s right around the corner, and for many of us, this time of year evokes a sense of renewal and a fresh start. Contemplating a major spring-cleaning effort? Downsizing to prepare for a move or just to simplify your life? Remodeling? Looking to clear out clutter or rehome perfectly usable stuff you just don’t need anymore?
Christine Roy discovered firsthand how challenging it can be to downsize. Moving from Brunswick to Harpswell, she had several large pieces of furniture and framed pictures she needed to rehome.
“I can’t say enough good about Habitat for Humanity ReStore,” she said about the organization that helped her. “They sent a truck to pick up my items, and the two polite gentlemen treated them as if they were their own, wrapping them in blankets and carefully strapping them into the truck. They made the moving process much, much easier.”
If you’re downsizing or decluttering, you may be standing in your garage, basement, attic, living room, kitchen or closet and feeling overwhelmed. Where can you donate items so they don’t end up in a landfill, and so someone else can make good use of them?
Take heart: Our area has several organizations that accept donations. Visit their websites or call them to learn about their missions and the items they accept, from furniture to clothing, toys, tools — or all of the above.
- Harpswell Recycling Center and Transfer Station. The station has Salvation Army donation bins for donating used clothing. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, closed Thursday during winter. See harpswell.maine.gov/recycling.
- Goodwill, 21 Gurnet Road, Brunswick: 207-406-4771, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, goodwillnne.org.
- Goodwill, 106 Park Drive, Topsham: 207-729-1917, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, goodwillnne.org.
- Salvation Army Bath-Brunswick, 22 Congress Ave., Bath: 207-443-3611, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9-11 a.m. Sunday, bit.ly/4k0j3aw.
- Habitat for Humanity 7 Rivers Maine ReStore, 1 Chandler Drive, Suite 2, Bath: 207-504-9340, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, habitat7rivers.org/restore.
- Maine Needs, 332 Forest Ave., Portland: maineneeds.org/donations.
- Midcoast New Mainers Group, Brunswick: mcnmg.org/gently-used-goods.
- Furniture Friends, Westbrook: furniturefriends.org/donate-furniture.
- Midcoast Humane, Brunswick: 207-449-1366, midcoasthumane.org/donate.
- Auctions. Organizations seeking to raise funds for a good cause, such as heating assistance, sometimes hold auctions where you can donate items that attendees bid on.
- Fundraising sales. Some organizations — places of worship, fire departments, schools — solicit donated items and hold a sale to raise funds. Keep an eye out for such events in your area.
- Online platforms. Sites such as Nextdoor, Freecycle, and Craigslist allow you to post stuff you’re giving away for free.
- End of your driveway. If all else fails, try putting items at the end of your driveway with a big “free” sign on them.
If you’re looking to sell items you no longer want or need, consider posting them on platforms such as Craigslist, Nextdoor, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace. HAH provides tech support if you need help: Call the Town Office at 207-833-5771 ext. 108.
A good old-fashioned yard sale — your own or one coordinated with your neighborhood — is also worth a try.
