Looking to do some spring cleaning and make some extra room in your closet or garage? There are many ways for you to get rid of those old sweaters and knick-knacks,, but before you start chucking them in the garbage or selling them online, consider donating them instead. Here are a few organizations where you can donate your spring cleaning items and help someone in need:

1. American Red Cross

The American Red Cross has GreenDrop drop-off centers all over the country where you can easily donate your gently-used clothing. GreenDrop, who partners with the ARC, converts all donated items into cash in order to fund the efforts of the ARC, which includes providing relief to victims of natural disasters, running national-wide blood drives, supporting military families, and more.

GreenDrop also provides a pick-up service where you can call and schedule an appointment for a driver to come and get your items from your home if that is more convenient. After donating your items, you will receive a tax receipt from the ARC for when you file your taxes later on, just for giving back to your community and making the choice to support others.

2. Soles4Souls

Soles4Souls is an organization dedicated to disrupting the cycle of poverty and providing soles for every soul that it can by creating sustainable jobs and recycling donations. They have collection sites and drop off bins for you to donate those old shoes you don’t wear anymore and if you can’t find a location close enough to you, the organization uses the companies Zappos for Good and Partnership to ship your donation for you for free! Soles4Souls makes it easy to clean out your shoe closet and do some good in the world at the same time, so why throw away your old shoes when you can donate them instead?

The organization also provides information on their website on how to host your own shoe drive if you want to get your local community involved.

3. Vietnam Veterans of America

The Vietnam Veterans of America was made to support current veterans of the Vietnam War and future veterans of the United States Army by fighting for any veteran-related legislature, veteran healthcare, and serve local communities made up of veterans and their families. The VVA will take almost anything as donations, accepting anything from old furniture and appliances to clothing and kitchenware.

If you’re looking to get rid of much more than clothes this year of spring cleaning, you can certainly donate your other items to the VVA and make a difference in the life of a veteran and his or her family.

Don’t just throw out any unwanted items or sell them online this spring - step up and donate them instead and make a difference in the lives of others.