Question 1

Furniture & Household Goods

Accepted Answer

Furnishing Hope
131 Mount Auburn Street Level B
Cambridge, MA 02138
(857)229-7528
 
Furnishing Hope provides access to new and gently used furniture and home goods transitioning from homelessness into stable housing. They also provide help with moving that furniture and guidance in what is necessary to set up a “home” that meets the basic needs of a family.

Furnishing Hope offers donated goods to newly housed families for free. 
 
Accepts: 
Mattresses (new only), Box Springs, Headboards, Night tables, Bureaus, Dressers, Armoires, Sofas and Loveseats, Upholstered Chairs, Coffee Tables, Bookcases, Side Tables, TV Stands, Computer Stands, Small Dining or Kitchen Tables and Chairs, and Children's Bedroom Furniture. 
 
For a more detailed wishlist go here. 
 
How to Donate: 
Email info@furnishinghopema.org or call (857)229-7528 to schedule a donation pick-up. For more information go here. 
 
Household Goods of MA
530 Main St.
Acton, MA 01720
(978)635-1710
​
HGRM matches the great need for household items with the generosity of the surrounding communities. HGRM accepts and distributes recycled household goods free of charge to individuals and families in need through the use of volunteers and in cooperation with community agencies and organizations.

Furnishing Hope offers donated goods to newly housed community members, including MAAP community members, for free.
​
Accepts:
Metal Bedframes, Mattresses & Box Springs, Dresses & Bureaus, Night Stands, Kitchen & Dining Room Tables & Chairs, Sofas, Loveseats, Sofabeds & Recliners, Coffee & End Tables, Computers (5 years or newer), Flat Screen Monitors, Printers (3 years or newer), Car Seats, Changing Tables, High Chairs, Pack-N-Plays, Safety Gates, Strollers and Toddler Beds. For a detailed list of items that can and cannot be accepted go here.

How to Donate:
Items may be dropped off during the hours of operation. 
 
Donation Drop-off Hours: 
Tues, Thurs & Sat: 9:00am-Noon
 
If you are unable to arrange donation of your good quality furniture through either of these organizations please see the "Out of Season Clothing, Small Furniture, Sporting Goods & Misc. Items" category below for how to donate furniture to Boomerangs.

Question 2

Building Materials

Accepted Answer

Resource Center at Boston Building Resources
100 Terrace St.
Boston, MA 02120
(617)442-2262
​
The Resource Center at Boston Building Resources provides high-value, affordable materials, both new and used, for home maintenance and home improvement. Customers can find expert advice, technical assistance and home improvement workshops. BBR provides low-cost rain barrels, home compost bins, weather stripping and materials made from recycled components. Anyone can shop at the resource center. Additional discounts are given to "plus members", those who meet income guidelines and non-profit charitable organizations.

Accepts:
Kitchen Cabinets, Countertops, Sinks, Faucets, Appliances, Bathroom Vanities, Sinks, Faucets, Tubs & Enclosures, Ceramic Tile, Windows, Doors, Lumber, Plywood, Drywall, Flooring, Electrical and Paint. 
 
For a detailed list of what the Resource Center at Boston Building Resources can and cannot accept go here. 
​
How to Donate:
Contact BBR via phone at (617)442-2262 or by filling out their "Donation Offer Form" here to ensure your donation will be accepted. After you have received confirmation that BRR can accept your donation you may drop off your donation at BBR or request a pickup. 
​
Donation Hours: 
Mon-Fri: 8:00am-4:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-2:30pm
​
Donation Pickup Up:
BBR requires a pickup fee ($25 inside Route 495; $50 outside Route 495) to help cover vehicle and staffing costs associated with collecting your donation. This fee can be paid here after receiving confirmation that they can accept your donation and before scheduling your pickup.

Question 3

Bicycles, Bicycle Gear, Tools & Rags

Accepted Answer

Bikes Not Bombs
284 Amory St.
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
(617)522-0222
​
Bikes Not Bombs uses the bicycle as a vehicle for social change. BNB reclaims thousands of bicycles each year and creates local and global programs that provide skill development, jobs and sustainable transportation. BNB’s programs mobilize youth and adults to be leaders in community transformation.
​
Accepts: 
Bicycles (Road, Hybrid, Mountain, BMX and Tandem), Bicycle Parts, Tools of any kind, Cycling Clothing and Accessories (Helmets, Bags, Lights, Pumps, Locks etc.).
​
Cannot Accept: 
Anything that has rust, kick scooters, Exercise Equipment or anything motorized.
 
How to Donate: 
Donations can be dropped off during BNB shop & volunteer drop-in hours noted below. See their website for bike drives and additional volunteer drop-off points. BNB also asks for an optional donation of $10/bicycle to cover shipping costs for bikes sent overseas.
​ 
Donation Hours: 
Tues, Wed, Fri: 10:00am-7:00pm
Thurs: 10:00am-10:00pm
Sat: 9:00am-5:00pm

Question 4

Children's Clothing, Toys & Other Items

Accepted Answer

Catie's Closet
63 Sprague Street
Boston, MA, 02136
(617)272-3621
 
Catie's Closet improves school attendance by providing an in-school resource of clothing, toiletries and basic necessities to students living in poverty in MA & NH.

Catie's Closet offers donated goods directly to children and young adults, who "shop" for what they need at their school's closet as often as needed, for free.
 
Accepts: Clothing, Shoes, Accessories and Hygiene Items for Children in grades Pre-K-12. A detailed wishlist and urgent needs wishlist can be found here. 
 
How to Donate: 
Donations may be dropped off during the distribution center hours listed below. For the safety of volunteers, kindly bring donations in household bags or smaller. Donation pickups can be arranged for donations of 10 bags or more by filling out the form here.
 
Donation Drop Off Hours: 
Mon-Fri: 10:00am-4:00pm

Children’s Clothing Exchange
1151 Massachusetts Avenue
(Old Cambridge Baptist Church)
Cambridge, MA 02138
(617)401-5335
​
The Children's Clothing Exchange provides homeless and low-income parents with clothing and other items for their children which can then be traded for more age-appropriate clothing, books and toys as their child grows for an annual membership fee of $50 or $25 and 25 volunteer hours.  
​
Accepts: 
Children’s Clothing, Footwear, Infant Items (formula, diapers, bottles etc.), Baby Equipment (car seats, cribs, carriage etc.), Toys (board games, puzzles, dolls etc.), Children’s Books and School Supplies. See website for detailed list of acceptable items.
 
How to Donate:
Items that are clean and in good condition may be dropped off during the hours listed below. There is only metered parking at this site, please do not park in the church parking lot for you will be towed. Please call Princess (617)460-0589 or Tara (617)401-5335 before bringing you donation so someone can be outside to assist you. 
 
Donation Drop Off Hours: 
Tues-Thurs: 10:00am-4:00pm

Cradles to Crayons
155 North Beacon St.
Brighton, MA 02135
​
Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, who are low-income or experiencing homelessness, with the essential items they need to thrive-at home, at school and at play.

Cradles to Crayons offers donated goods to children for free seasonally or based upon a situational need through partner service providers.

Accepts:
Children’s Clothing & Footwear, Books, New Arts & Crafts Supplies, Toys, New Baby Gear (strollers, car seats etc.) and New Baby Supplies (safety, feeding, bedding etc.). For a more detailed list of what can and cannot be accepted please go here.
 
How to Donate:
Items may be dropped off at various drop boxes that you can find by zip code here.

Question 5

Eyeglasses

Accepted Answer

Lenscrafters Onesight
 
Onesight is dedicated to providing healthy vision, eyewear and sun protection to those in need. Onesight operates temporary optical clinics, vision vans and builds sustainable vision care centers worldwide. Collected glasses are refurbished and dispensed to patients. 
​
Accepts:
Prescription Eyeglasses, Bifocals and Sunglasses.
​
How to Donate:
Eyeglasses may be dropped off at any Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision or Sears Optical locations.

Question 6

Arts & Crafts Supplies, Office Supplies & Greeting Cards

Accepted Answer

Women’s Lunch Place
67 Newbury St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617)267-1722
 
The Women’s Lunch Place provides a safe, comfortable daytime shelter, nutritious food, and services for women who are homeless or poor. The Creative Expressions Program provides opportunities for women to express themselves through art both freely and in facilitated groups and classes. The Resource Center is a self-advocacy center where women can check their email, look for housing and jobs, work on resumes & cover letters, send and receive mail & faxes and coordinate medical care and other needs.

The Women's Lunch Place offers donated goods to women who are unhoused or surviving poverty, including MAAP community members, for free.
​
Accepts:
Creative Expressions Program: Yarn, Knitting & Crochet Needles, Watercolor Paper, Canvas, Sketch Books, Acrylic & Watercolor Paint & Paint Brushes.
Resource Center: Copy Paper, Pens, Manila Envelopes, Notebooks, Folders, Flash Drives, General Office Supplies (Paper Clips, Whiteout etc.) and Greeting Cards.   
​
How to Donate: 
Items may be dropped off during donation hours.
 
Donation Hours: 
Mon-Sat: 8:00am-1:30pm

Question 7

Books & Media

Accepted Answer

Prison Book Program
1306 Hancock St.
Quincy, MA 02169
(basement of the United First Parish Church)
(617)423-3298
​
Prison Book Program mails books to people in prison to support their educational, vocational and personal development and to help them avoid returning to prison after their release.

The Prison Book Program send books to community members who are incarcerated, including MAAP community members, for free.

More Than Words
Located in Boston & Waltham
 
More Than Words aims to empower youth who are in the foster care system, court involved, homeless or out of school. Youth are provided employment skills training, personal transition planning and case management to support their progress towards further education and employment.
​
Accepts: 
Hardcover or Paperback Fiction & Non-Fiction, Antique Books, Audio Books (CD or Cassette), Music CD's, Movies (DVD) and video games (all items must be in good condition).
​
Cannot Accept: 
Encyclopedias, VHS tapes, audio cassettes or magazines/periodicals.
​
How to Donate: Donations may be dropped off at either the Waltham or Boston locations (addresses, hours & instructions are noted below) or at any of their conveniently located donation containers. Donations can also be dropped off at donation containers here.
 
To arrange a donation pick up in Eastern MA please call (617)674-5555 or email bookdrives@mtwyouth.org. More Than Words kindly asks for a monetary donation at the time of pick-up to support the continued good work and skill development of their youth team.
 
Waltham
56 Felton Street
Waltham, MA 02453
(781)314-9330
Donation Hours:
Tues-Fri: 10:30am-6:00pm
Sat: 10:30am-4:00pm
​
Donation Instructions: 
Look for a white building with a More Than Words sign. Pull into parking spot #1 located closest to our entrance. If this is taken you may park by the glass sliding doors. Go in and let them know you’re there and youth will be out to assist you!
 
Boston
242 East Berkeley Street, 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02118
(781)788-0035
 
Donation Hours: 
Mon–Thurs: 10:00am–8:00pm
Fri–Sat: 10:00am–9:00pm
Sun: 10:00am–6:00pm
 
​Donation Instructions: 
Look for a brick building located immediately after the Troy residential complex. Take a right turn just before the building into the driveway and pull up to the marked donation drop off spots. Please ring the bell and someone will be out to assist you!

Question 8

Computers

Accepted Answer

MAAP is in need of newer Apple desktop or laptop computers for staff and participant use. Please reach out to Cassie Hurd, MAAP's Executive Director, if you may have a compute to contribute to us. 
 
Unfortunately, our previous partner organization who provided refurbished computers to low-income individuals recently closed. If you know of an organization that refurbishes computers for people in need please contact us so we may add them to our list.
​
For now, www.cristina.org enables your to search for local non-profit organizations that are accepting material donations of specific technology.

Question 9

Medical Supplies & Mobility Aids

Accepted Answer

Cambridge Council On Aging
806 Mass Ave.
Cambridge, MA 02139
(617)349-6220      
The Cambridge Council on Aging aims to improve and enhance the quality of life of older persons in Cambridge.
Accepts:
Crutches, Canes, Walkers and Wheelchairs.  
 
How to Donate:
Contact Council to arrange a drop off time.
 
​REquipment
MassMATCH
Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission
600 Washington Street
Boston, MA 02111
(877)508-3974 (Toll Free)
 
The MassMATCH mission is to promote the use of assistive technology and assistive technology services to enhance the independence of people with disabilities, enabling equal participation in all of life's activities. REquipment provides free refurbished durable medical equipment to adults and children with disabilities and elders in MA.
 
Accepts: 
Power and Manual Wheelchairs, Scooters, Sling Lifts, Portable Ramps, Tub/Shower Chairs, Rollator Walkers, Adapted Strollers, Standers and Gait Trainers, and Specialty Cushions or Mattresses. Equipment must be in good condition or easily repaired and less than 5-6 years old. 
 
Cannot Accept: 
Beds of any kind, Metal Walkers, Canes and Crutches, Geriatric/Cardiac Lift Chairs, Commodes, Medical Supplies, Custom Installed Stair Lifts, Ramps, Oxygen Products, Feeding or CPAP Machines.
 
How to Donate: 
Fill out their donation form here and, if possible, provide a photo. 
 
H.E.L.P. (Hospital Equiptment Loan Program)
500 West Cummings Park Suite 1150
Woburn, MA 01801
(781)322-1052
 
H.E.L.P. leds home-use medical equiptment to those in need free of charge for as long as it is needed. 
 
Accepts:
Canes, Four-Prong Canes, Crutches, Rollators, Forearm Crutches, Walkers, Wheelchairs, Blanket Supports, Over-The-Bed Tables, Sides for Beds, Under-mattress Supports, Commodes, Toilet Supports, Toilet Seat Extensions, Hoyer Lifts, Tub Seats, Transfer Benches, Tub Rails, Transport Chairs, Electric Lift Chairs, Electric Hospital Beds and Electric Scooters.

Cannot Accept: 
Anything Broken or Unclean, Medicine, Blankets or Fabric Bed Covers, Opened Packages of Supplies, Non-Electric Beds, Electric Wheelchairs.

How to Donate: 
Equipment can be delivered during donation hours. 
 
Donation Drop Off Hours: 
Sat: 9:00am-11:30am

Question 10

Musical Instruments & Gear

Accepted Answer

Girls Rock Campaign Boston
Girls Rock Campaign Boston (GRCB) empowers girls, women, and youth and adults with marginalized gender identities to believe in themselves by providing a supportive community that fosters self-expression, confidence, and collaboration through musical education and performance. GRCB is a volunteer-driven music and mentorship organization that offers year-round programming. 
 
Accepts: 
Short Scale Basses, Short Scale Guitar, Lefty Basses, Lefty Guitars, Pedal Cases, Drum Rugs, Hardware Bags, Cymbal Bags, Universal Keyboard Adaptors, Korg Midi Controllers, Microphones, Microphone Stands, Extension Cords, Power Strips, Ear Plugs, Sound Blocking Ear Muffs, Guitar Stands, Guitar and Bass Picks, New Drumsticks. 
 
Cannot Accept:
Due to space constraints, GRCB is currently only accepting donations of the Instruments, Equipment and Accessories listed above.
 
For the most up-to-date list of instruments and gear GRCB is accepting go here. 
​
How to Donate:
To arrange a donation contact GRCB at donate@girlsrockboston.org.

Question 11

Out of Season Clothing & Misc. Items

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, Fenway Health has shuttered Boomerangs along with some of their public health programming; Youth on Fire, which is now part of the Home for Little Wanderers, and their legal and housing departments which are now part of Victory Programs. We know many people relied on Boomerangs as a place to donate good quality used goods (and shop)!

Thrifty Threads 
210 Harvard Street
United Parish Brookline
Brookline, MA 02446

Thrifty Threads offers good quality clothing and housewares at very low prices, with proceeds supporting United Parish’s outreach and social justice programs. They pass on more than half of the donations they receive to non-profit organizations working directly with people in need - including MAAP!
​
Accepts:
Good-to-new condition clothing and footwear for people of all ages; new underwear and socks in original packaging; small quantities of kitchenware, cookware, and decorative housewares (must be clean and in working order.)
​
Cannot Accept:
Men's Suits or Blazers, ripped or stained clothing, used socks or underwear, baby gear or toys, electronics, disposable plasticware or, tupperware, hangers, books, or furniture. 
​
How to Donate:
Office staff can accept donations at the 15 Marion St. entrance. Please do not leave items outside office.

Donation Hours: ​
Tues-Fri: 11:00am–5:00pm

Donate On Guide