If you’ve been sitting at home recently, looking at a whole lot of stuff you don’t really need any more, now is the time to find it a new home. Don’t throw it away! While you mightn’t want or need certain household items, there’s a family somewhere who would love to take them on – and a charity who will donate clothes, furniture, kitchen stuff or old baby gear for you. Check out the list below for everything you need to know about donating in Singapore.
Where to give preloved items
Blessing of Items for Low Income Families
This is a Facebook group dedicated to connecting low-income families with generous donors. Run by the Buddhist Wat Natawee Temple, it allows anyone to post items they no longer need and to arrange collections with the receiver.
facebook.com/groups/589463271401893
Books Beyond Borders
This social enterprise generates funds from the sale of secondhand books in Singapore. They use all profit, as well as community donations, to help improve access to education in some of the most rural parts of Nepal.
They accept books written in English, but must be in good condition. To donate used books, please check the Books Beyond Borders Giving Guide for a preview of the types of books they accept. Books can be dropped off at Kong Beng Industrial Building, 41 Jalan Pemimpin #03-01E, 577186, Monday to Sunday from 11 am to 6 pm.
If you have over twenty books in excellent condition, Books Beyond Borders can arrange for a pick-up. Contact hello@booksbeyondborders.org or use the Live Chat feature.
Singapore Freecycle Network
Also known as SGFreecycle, this global movement has an active group in Singapore. It encourages recycling and throwing nothing away by connecting people giving away goods to others seeking the same items. Even an old plank of wood might be wanted by someone else! So, stick your donations on the website, Facebook page or Yahoo mailing group to find out. People who are interested can contact you directly and collect the items themselves – hassle-free!
Hi-Thrift
This thrift store is run by HCSA Community Services, which supports ex-offenders, abused teenage girls and single parents with limited support. They accept items like clothing, books, furniture and electronics.
1 Lorong 23 Geylang
6745 3532 | hcsa.org.sg
Junk To Clear
This company doesn’t just help people clear junk by adhering to the ‘3 Rs’ – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. It also donates items in good condition to needy families. If you urgently need to get rid of something and you don’t have time to consider how, why or where it will go, these are your guys. They’ll pick up everything and anything on the same day for a fee based on the services required.
6749 2306 | junktoclear.com.sg
Pass-It-On
Got unwanted items that are still useful and in good working condition? From home appliances to furniture, and also medical, mobility and learning aids, this non-profit project will distribute the items to the needy under Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWO). If you’ve got anything to give away, you can post it on Pass-It-On’s website or donate requested items. Collection can be arranged with the VWOs directly.
The Helping Hand, 819 Upper Serangoon Road
8511 9160 | passiton.org.sg
The Salvation Army
Unwanted goods like electronic devices, books and furniture from your home or office can help local communities in an important and practical way. Just drop them off at any Salvation Army Donation In Kind booths. The charity’s social enterprise arm, Red Shield Industries, will then process them and retail those in good condition at their Family Stores located all over the island.
Thrift Store @ Yishun
Run by SiloamXperience, a humanitarian organisation, this thrift store accepts all sorts of preloved items from shoes to books and toys. Donated items and net proceeds go to their relief work in Cambodia.
1 Yishun Industrial Street 1 #05-15 & 16
6694 1330 | siloamxperience.org/index.php/thrift-store
Sengkang West Youth Network and Package Pals
With this collaborative initiative by Sengkang West Youth Network and Package Pals, you can donate polymailers, paper envelopes, padded envelopes, and bubble wrap for small businesses to reuse.
Sengkang West Youth on Facebook
Green Warehouse
Recycle, reuse, and repurpose your waste by joining Green Warehouse on Facebook. Besides giving away or selling your items for upcycling, you can find any unwanted items for any DIY projects.
Art Don’t Throw
For any artist or artist groups in need of materials or tools to use for your own creative work, join Art Don’t Throw on Facebook and immerse yourself in the culture of resource sharing.
Art Don’t Throw Facebook Group
Fixer Upper Giveaway
Visit Fixer Upper Giveaway on Facebook if you have any broken home electronics, tools, or spare parts.
Where to donate clothing
Greensquare
If it’s not convenient for you to drop your donated items at a designated location, don’t fret. Greensquare is a textile recycling company that provides a free collection service. This means you don’t have to step foot outside your door!
H&M Garment Collection
H&M started a garment collection initiative in 2013 that allows you to drop off unwanted clothes – no matter the brand or condition – at any H&M store. The company’s recycling partner, I:Collect (I:CO), then gathers and sorts them into the ‘3 Rs’ for a fee. This fee is donated to H&M Foundation, a non-profit global organisation, and also The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund, a local charity.
Food drops in Singapore
Food Bank Singapore
Do you have unwanted food items lying around the house after packing, but you don’t know how to dispose of them? To solve the problem, donate them to Food Bank! All kinds of non-perishable, unopened, unused food is accepted (provided it has at least four weeks of shelf life) at collection points all around Singapore.
218 Pandan Loop, XPACE
6831 5395 | foodbank.sg
Heart to Heart Service
Operating out of an unassuming HDB flat, this non-profit organisation distributes food to anyone any in dire need of assistance, regardless of their race or religion. Check out the items they need here.
9 Selegie Road #03-33
6333 9439 | enquiry@hearttoheartservice.org | hearttoheartservice.org
Food from the Heart
Rather than making meals, Food from the Heart focuses on redistributing food items like unsold bread from bakeries. If you have a spare hour on weekdays, look into contributing your time to do bread runs, or peruse the other volunteering opportunities on their website.
130 Joo Seng Road #03-01
6280 4483 | foodfromtheheart.sg
Ronald McDonald House Charities Singapore
RMHC Singapore is located at the National University Hospital, with the purpose of providing families with hospitalised children a place to stay. This allows them to focus on the health of their children without worrying about food or shelter. Donations of food items as well as kitchen and bath necessities are accepted.
5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, National University Hospital, Main Building, Level 4
6778 1934 | contact@rmhc.org.sg | rmhc.org.sg
Society for the Aged Sick
The Society for the Aged Sick is a not-for-profit nursing home that aims to provide quality care to the aged sick and destitute, allowing them to lead a meaningful and enriching life. It accepts food donations in addition to radios, magazines, storybooks, fans and electric kettles.
130 Hougang Avenue 1
6922 6222 | enquiry@societyagedsick.org.sg | societyagedsick.org.sg
Willing Hearts
One of the best-known soup kitchens in Singapore, Willing Hearts is a volunteer-run charity serving needy groups like the elderly, the disabled and also migrant workers in Singapore. The website includes a recommended list of food items, which you can drop off during their operating hours of 4.30am to 3pm.
11 Jalan Ubi Blk 6 #01-51, Kembangan, Chai Chee Community Hub
6476 5822 | willingheartsingapore@gmail.com | willinghearts.org.sg
To donate second-hand maternity and baby products
Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support
Babes is a teenage pregnancy crisis service that runs a helpline for pregnant teens or their loved ones. Besides monetary donations, they also accept in-kind donations of maternity products such as diapers, pre-loved babies’ clothes and strollers. Do drop them an email before making in-kind donations.
26 Jalan Klinik, #01-42/52
6664 8590 | hello@babes.org.sg | babes.org.sg
Bless for Mummies and Babies
This Facebook group connects mothers in need with people who have pre-loved stuff to spare. With over 4,500 members, you’re sure to find someone who needs what you don’t! Make a post, or look for a request you can fulfil.
facebook.com/groups/blessmummiesbabies
Club Rainbow
Club Rainbow helps children with chronic illnesses and their families by providing services, hosting events, and running a family resource centre. In-kind donations of maternity products like diapers and also milk powder greatly help these families.
538 Upper Cross Street #05-263/269
contact@clubrainbow.org | clubrainbow.squarespace.com
PramWash
Established in 2017, PramWash is Singapore’s first professional baby gear cleaning specialist. They collect preloved strollers in Singapore and distributes them to needy families, after they’ve cleaned the stroller. They work with welfare organisations including the People’s Association and the Resident’s Committees on this initiative. Excess strollers are sold on their website and 100% of the sales proceeds are donated to Singapore Children’s Society.
- #B2-22A Vivocity
- Blk 18, #04-119 Tradehub 21
Pet supplies
Action for Singapore Dogs
If you have extra dog supplies like food and medication, and you’d love to help stray and fostered dogs, why not donate them to this non-profit organisation? Just send an email or call ASD to enquire!
6100 2737 | info@asdsingapore.com | asdsingapore.com/wp/contributions
Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter
Looking for another reason to donate? OSCAS partners with online pet supply retailers to offer free delivery on all donation orders to the shelter. Contact them before bringing items along.
59 Sungei Tengah Road, Block R
enquiry@oscas.sg | oscas.sg
Save Our Street Dogs
SoSD is a volunteer group dedicated to advocating for stray dogs. In order to help with its shelter upkeep, it accepts in-kind donations of dog food and supplies, as well as household and administrative items. Drop them an email when you intend to come by.
59 Sungei Tengah Road, Block T #01-42
kieran@sosd.org.sg | sosd.org.sg
Second-hand books
Dignity Mama Stall
Drop off any unwanted books (except encyclopedias, pre-tertiary textbooks, magazines and comics) at one of the three Dignity Mama Stall drop-off locations: Dignity Kitchen, National University Hospital and Ng Teng Fong Hospital. They’ll then be sorted and sold as pre-loved books at super reasonable prices.
Miscellaneous items
Recyclopedia
Besides throwing recycled items into recycling bins, are there more effective ways to do it for the environment? A Singapore-based grassroots initiative to help you find out what you can do with unwanted items, Recyclopedia gives you recommendations beyond the basics to truly make a difference. Join their Facebook group for tips on recycling better and discussions with like-minded people:
Blessings in a Bag
This organisation collects donated items – from food, toys and books to electronics and even gift vouchers – at its donation drives and distributes them to low-opportunity, under-resourced people in Singapore. There’s a list of specific items for specific causes that you can browse through to see if you have what’s required for those in need.
315 Outram Road, #08-06A Tan Boon Liat Building
6699 6980 | blessingsinabag.co/matchmaking-blessings
Breast Cancer Foundation
BCF is dedicated to eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease, and it also has a Men’s Support League. If this is a cause that touches your heart, do email them to see how your items can help.
5 Stadium Walk #04-03/08
6352 6560 | enquiries@bcf.org.sg | bcf.org.sg
Embassy of the Philippines
The Philippines is a country unfortunately more prone to natural disasters than many, often leaving its people in desperate situations in the aftermath. The country’s embassy in Singapore accepts donations, not only of food and medicine, but also books, machinery and other consumer goods.
20 Nassim Road
philippine-embassy.org.sg
Jamiyah Children’s Home
Run by Jamiyah Singapore, the Muslim Missionary Society, the Home houses children of all races and faiths from disadvantaged backgrounds. It accepts donations of groceries and other items, but do call in advance before bringing anything along. Check out their wishlist for items that would benefit them most. Alternatively, you can give Jamiyah a call.
15 Guillemard Crescent
6344 9533 | jch_recep@jamiyah.org.sg | jch.jamiyah.org.sg
Marymount Centre
Marymount Centre reaches out to vulnerable women and children in Singapore through its three residential homes and a crisis shelter. Give them a call if you’re planning an in-kind donation.
9 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh
6256 4440 | marymountctr.org.sg
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