Donation Guidelines
What items does SVdP accept as donations?
We are pleased to accept the following in good/working condition:
• Clothing — men’s, women’s, boys’, girls’, and infants’
• Footwear — shoes and boots
• Outerwear — hats, gloves, mittens and scarves
• Books, records, compact discs, and DVDs
• Games and toys
• Housewares — dishes, kitchen utensils, lamps and small appliances
• Knickknacks (giftware)
• Furniture — dressers, tables, bed frames and sofas (home pick-up available)
• Antiques and collectibles
• Hardware and tools
• Domestics — curtains, linen, bedspreads, blankets, etc.
• Sporting goods
• Bicycles
• Automobiles
SVdP also accepts televisions, TV recording/viewing devices (VHS, DVD, etc.), video game consoles and accessories, video equipment and digital photo frames for resale in its stores. These items should be in working order.
We cannot accept the following items:
• Large items that do not work. TVs, microwave ovens, copy machines. SVdP cannot repair these items.
• Building materials. Carpet, shutters, doors, windows, toilets, lumber, concrete, bricks, stones. SVdP does not sell these items and disposal costs are restrictive.
• Encyclopedias. These items are not saleable in our stores and cannot be recycled.
• Upholstered couches and chairs which are torn, soiled or otherwise damaged. SVdP does not repair or clean items and can only offer clean, useable items for sale in the stores.
• Televisions as follows:
• Large console model televisions and stereos are extremely heavy and present a danger to our employees.
• Non-cable-ready TVs cannot be connected to digital converter boxes and have no resell value.
• Broken/damaged TVs are potentially dangerous and have no resell value.
• Black and white TVs have no resell value.
• Automobile parts. Tires, wheels, batteries, seats, body parts and engines. SVdP does not sell these items and disposal costs are restrictive.
• Paint and chemicals of any kind. SVdP is not allowed to sell or dispose of these items in a landfill.
• Kerosene and gas heaters and appliances. SVdP is not licensed to handle or sell items of this kind and disposal is expensive and highly restricted.
• CPSC frequently recalled items. Infant furniture, car seats, exercise equipment, baby cribs, strollers, carriages, playpens/play yards, children’s items containing lead or phthalates.
• Animals
• Water-soaked or stained items
• Swing sets/children’s swimming pools
• Air conditioners
• Doors
• Weapons
• Paint, household chemicals, insecticides, etc.
• Food items
• Gas-powered equipment
• Gas grills
Why does SVdP not accept some items?
All donations that SVdP can sell in its stores are greatly appreciated. However, when SVdP receives items that cannot be used, staff must dispose of them, raising expenses and reducing the revenue available for job-training and employment services.
Why does SVdP throw some items away?Where possible, items that are placed on the sales floor but do not sell are recycled and sold for salvage.
When SVdP receives items that it cannot sell, such as broken, torn or damaged items or products that have been recalled by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, we are forced to dispose of those items for the safety of our customers. The fees for disposal of these items raise our expenses and reduce the revenue available for job-training and employment services.
Are my donations tax-deductible?
Yes. All not-for-profit organizations are prohibited from assigning values or estimates to donated items, so SVdP always recommends that you consult a tax adviser first. When donating items a donation receipt will always be provided if needed.
What if I accidentally donated an item; can I get it back?
Regrettably, there isn’t much chance of retrieving items that are donated accidentally.
If an accidental donation can be found, SVdP is happy to return it. Donors may wish to call the manager of the store where they made the donation. If the donation was made recently, it might not be too late to locate the item in the store.
How can businesses donate?If your place of business would like to make a donation, SVdP will gladly work with you to make arrangements for pick-up and transportation. SVdP accepts commercial donations such as clothing, office supplies, furniture and other bulk items.
Making a commercial donation to SVdP provides your business with a tax deduction for the value of the donated items, eliminates and saves on the cost of product storage and recycles the items. For SVdP, it becomes valued merchandise in SVdP businesses and further supports SVdP’s mission.
To make a commercial donation, contact Kevin Barbee at 678-892-6185
Tips for Donors
To make your donation process go smoothly and to ensure that you are donating items SVdP can sell in its stores, here are some tips for checking the items you plan to donate:
• Check your items before donating to make sure all are items you want to give to SVdP.
• Check pockets of clothing for jewelry, money and other valuable items that you might not want to donate.
• Separate clothing into different bags/boxes than household items.
• Check to ensure that items you are donating are not soiled, stained or ripped.
• Test electrical equipment and battery-operated items to make sure they work.
• Include all pieces and parts to games, toys and household appliances.