You Can Help These RI Organizations By Donating Things From Your Quarantine Closet Cleanouts
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Whether it’s due to boredom, anxiety or a little bit of both, cleaning out closets seems to be at the tippity top of a lot of people’s indoor agendas. (Search Instagram and a sea of related hashtags and snaps will pop up.) If you or someone in your quarantine circle has embarked on a clean sweep (in my world it’s my sister who has reorganized every single cupboard, wardrobe, and nook in the entire house) of some kind, then the good news — in addition to those feelings of accomplishment and being in control that may have otherwise escaped us over these last few weeks — is that there are two local non-profits that will take a number of the items sitting in your donate bags or piles right now and put them to great use.
The first is Smith & Agli’s Potbelly Manor in North Kingstown. Over the years, you’ve probably driven past 401 Ten Rod Road, noticed the eye-poppingly purple house with all the buoys out front, and wondered what the story was. Well, this animal sanctuary has been accepting donations of old sneakers and shoes for ages and they need them now more than ever! Simply gather up your gently worn kicks, slip ons, and loafers (They are asking that donations be in pairs and without any mold damage or rips.) and drop them at the bin that they have set up out front. Simple as that and you’ve avoiding any contact with anyone. The money made from selling the recycyled rubber from your old footwear ultimately goes towards covering food and medical care for the animals (including pigs, cows, and ducks) living at the sanctuary and I think that’s pretty great.
Next, what to do with all the toys, clothing, small appliances, bedding, blankets, and more that you’re now realizing you no longer need in your life? Simply call my friends at Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Rhode Island at 401-921-2434 or email them at Donations@bbbsos.org and they will set up a no contact pickup. (Their site also has a complete list of specifics re: they will take off your hands.) The sale of your items helps BBBS to stay afloast, and keep up the incredibly important mentoring work that benefits over 30K children in the RI area, during this scary and difficult time. And rest assured that they have pivoted from in-person to digital or cell phone meet ups between their Bigs and the Littles.