Whether you’re looking forward to or dreading the end-of-semester task of cleaning out your closet, use the opportunity to make sure that nothing in your discard pile ends up in the landfill. Ahead of your summer travels, save yourself some suitcase space by donating items to a local group, where members of disadvantaged communities can pick up clothes for free. If you don’t live in the NYU dorms — which offer donation sites through its Green Apple Move Out initiative — check out these four organizations near campus, which will take your donations and give them straight to those who need them most.
WSP Mutual Aid
Washington Square Park
Organized in part by NYU students, WSP Mutual Aid collects and distributes free clothing, food and supplies near the Washington Square Arch every Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., serving New Yorkers who experience homelessness and other financial hardships. Gently-used clothing, shoes, blankets and seasonal essentials like coats and hats are all fair game. Because items are distributed the same day they’re donated, they should be clean, wearable and, if possible, sorted by type — as such, you can help out volunteers by separating your tops, bottoms and outerwear. Keep in mind that damaged or heavily worn items, along with large household goods, are typically not accepted. WSP Mutual Aid also has a donation wish list, which includes tube socks, t-shirts and shoes, and posts more information about its needs on Instagram.
Bowery Mission
227 Bowery
The Bowery Mission is one of New York City’s oldest service organizations, known for its soup kitchen and other services for those experiencing homelessness. In the past year, it gave away around 25,000 articles of clothing and served nearly 430,000 meals — and its flagship location in the Lower East Side, about a 15-minute walk from campus, is a great option for end-of-year donations. The Bowery Mission’s Compassionate Care initiative offers clothing, meals and shelter every day of the year, aiming to help participants — who get to decide when they want to transition out of the program — build trusting relationships with volunteers. The organization accepts clean, gently-used clothing such as shoes, jeans, pajamas and hoodies, while socks and underwear must be new. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to noon and 2:30-4 p.m.
Dress for Success
32 E. 31st St., sixth floor
Dress for Success in Nomad is a quick subway ride or a 20-minute walk from Union Square, providing professional clothing, styling support and career development resources for women preparing for job interviews or reentering the workforce — many of whom are referred to the organization through job training programs, shelters or other community organizations. The Midtown-based organization collects gently-used, interview-appropriate clothing such as blazers, blouses, dresses, slacks and work shoes, which should be clean and ready to wear. These pieces are given directly to clients at styling appointments, where they can select outfits for interviews or the workplace. Because of Dress for Success’ focus on professional attire and development, casual items like t-shirts, athleisure or heavily worn clothing are not accepted. Donations are typically done by appointment on weekdays, which can be scheduled in advance here. For students with business or formal pieces they no longer need, consider taking this meaningful opportunity to support someone — both by providing clothing and supporting their professional success.
Xavier Mission
55 W. 15th St.
Situated in the basement of the Church of St. Francis Xavier, this Chelsea organization has been serving New Yorkers in need for four decades. Its Clothing Room initiative offers several volunteer shifts every week, where you can help sort through donations and distribute clothes to community members. To donate, arrive some time during its extensive drop-off hours — Sundays from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. One of the mission’s biggest goals is for its five programs to help individuals develop safety and self-sufficiency — as such, the group accepts fundamentals such as clean, gently-used clothes such as shirts, pants, jackets and shoes, along with new socks and underwear. The Xavier Mission’s Target wish list also includes items like shoes, shirts, socks and boxers.
Contact Rachael Khan at [email protected].