Shelters

There is also a place in Hillsboro right on the Max line called The House of Ruth. They take in girls who are pregnant or have just had their babies and need clothes for the kids and also clothes for themselves to get jobs, continue with school, etc. They take ANY and ALL baby related items. They also need feminine hygene products and anything that would help the house run while the girls are living there.

Shepherd's Door in NE Portland is a great Women's shelter, you could call them ahead and see how they do donations. Here's their link:
http://www.portlandrescuemission.org/women-and-children/main

Northwest Children's Outreach! The website is http://www.northwestchildrensoutreach.org/index.php.
The location is no longer on Milikan but they have 4 locations in the metro area now including one in Vancouver if that's where you are. Check their website for locations and hours. They are run by volunteers and you can 'work' there with your child along side you. My kids understand the need more by being there.

N.

The pregnancy resource center in Portland has a great program who they educate moms to be and in exchange for parenting classes they get vouchers for their store of kids goodies. All the items are donated. If you have not already found someone I would call them.

Hi N.:

The ARC in Vancouver will take any kind of clothes/toys for kids. It is a battered women's shelter. We have donated lots of clothes, toys, furniture, household goods, etc. and they are very appreciative.

Hi N.,
great idea i do it at least four times a year, not only clothes and toys but everything i do not want ecept they say no electric that needs fixed, any how not sure what state your in but i donate to the womens shelters and the mens vancouver washington, they have a womens and childrens on fourth plain and 109th kiddy cornered from the toyota car company, the mens is more down town not sure what they labled under but these people really use the stuff and its given to them free these places help them to get a home and a good start. Thank you. S.,

I sent out a similar request a few months back

http://www.mamasource.com/request/3587529024303267841

I got several names of places not listed in the responses so far. I didn't exhaust all avenues, but got a little frustrated by finding out that the ones I did try did not accept used clothes. (Something to do with a new OR law banning flame retardants in infant and kids clothing?, Something to do with helping maintain dignity maybe?)
Anyway I'm really busy and didn't have time to chase around and ended up giving some away to friends of friends but I still have some stuff. I just heard from a friend that Fish Emergency Services on SE Hawthorne (around 17th/20th??) does accept used clothing. Let me know if you hear of anywhere else for future donating. I too would like to just give our still very useful, clean and respectable clothing to someone who can't afford to go to a thrift store and buy it.

Kids Kastle Cuts has a bin for this. I don't know what the organization is that they donate to, but they can tell you more.

Their phone # is ###-###-####

Cheers

I know here in Tigard behind the High School is a place called Caring Closet, the items donated go to help school kids in need. These families don't have to pay for the clothes, so they go to kids that really -need- them. I think it is great that they have that.
You can check with your school district office and see if they have a similar thing in your area.

N.-
I know that many churches have programs to help their community by giving away clothes, maybe you have one close by that accepts donations. I run a ministry like that at my church, not sure where you live, but I am in downtown Vancouver area and would love to have your donations if you are local. I also know that the YWCA would love to have any of the kid's and women's things. Options to consider...
Good luck,
L.

Rolling hills community church in Tualatin gives clothes to homeless children/families

Hi N.,

Helping Hands is a great alternative to Goodwill, etc. They are a resource for anyone in the community who needs items. They do not charge for the items. Families can go in and "shop" for a certain # of items per week, based on family size, etc. All they need to give is their name and contact info for tracking purposes. It's a really wonderful resource. They also provide job training and numerous other things. Mostly run by volunteers! Helping Hands is at 9999 NE Glisan St, Portland - ###-###-####

I'm in Vancouver and the Share House is a great place to donate to. They have several shelters here in town. They are also a shelter that keeps families (not just moms and kids but dad too!) together. They help people find jobs, get on their feet, find a permenant place to live etc. They are truely wonderful. There is one a main office on Main St. I'm not sure the cross street. There is also a shelter on 4th Plain kiddie-corner from the Toyota dealership. It almost looks like it's a daycare center. Hope this helps.
~Brynda

Snow Cap collects and distributes childrens clothing. They are on SE pine off of SE 181st. I would try there, Good luck. We are doing a garage sale this weekend trying to get rid of our old stuff!

If you care about animals Paws & claws accepts donations and they help to feed animals in shelters humane society and helps with immunizations spaying and neutering and adoption and other needs for the animals.
Also if you call a communty center they may be able to direct you to a womans shelter that would accept clothes or YWCA. Hope this helps in decision

Dear N.,
I know a momma who is going to have twins and needs clothing and toys. If you feel comfortable dropping them off with me or my girlfriend please let me know. Maybe one of us could even pick it up for you. My email is ____@____.com. I hope this helps.

Hi, N.! There is a wonderful place in Beaverton called Northwest Children's Outreach (I think I've got that right!). It's on Millikan on Bvtn, and I don't think they resell their stuff. I believe they get requests from other agencies and then fill those requests. Such as "4 year-old girl needs long pants and sneakers and would like a doll." Then their volunteers and staff "fill" the orders. In fact, I believe you can go volunteer to fill the orders; my friend has done it with her five-year-old even! I hope that helps.

Good for You! This is an excellent way to provide clothes for babies and children. I know of one, The Good Shepard House. I think it's on Halsey perhsps in psste 150th. It's probably listed in the phone book.

There are some more shelters but there addresses are kept secret. when I was working not even police officers knew their locations. You can find those thru phone #'s. I'd call the Salvation Army. These shelters do have a public phone line. You could call the police desk and they could probably give you their numbers. What they do is arrange for a meeting with you away from their house.

Another group who needs clothes are the Head Start parents. My grandsom was in headstart for awhile and the school had a table in the hallway for donations of clothes and toys.

You could also call Children's Services. I think it's listed in the blue pages under State of Oregon.

Some large churches also help needy people. You could also call one of them.

By the way, you can still get tax credit. Write down what you give and estimate it's value. Turbo Tax, I think is the one, has a program to help you value your donations. It's free when you use their tax program.