Clean it out and Pass iton

BY REBECCA CUTHBERT

What’s better than cleaning out closets and cupboards? Donating the contents to worthy local charities that can use them! If you don’t have the time or ability to spend hours volunteering, donating items can be another great way to help your community. For instance, the City Mission, which logs thousands of volunteer hours every month, is always in need of items for their volunteers to distribute.

Decluttering our living spaces is a big step toward reaching those goals. Instead of adding more waste to landfills, we can give those gently used items to community members in need—both human and animal.

The Buffalo City Mission, located at 100 East Tupper Avenue in Buffalo, provides assistance and comfort to homeless and impoverished men, women, and children. Laurie Patsalides with BCM public relations explains that there are plenty of pre-owned items needy folks would appreciate this season.

“We could always use clothing in

good shape, like warm coats, jeans, sweaters, and any other (heavier) winter clothing, in any size, for men, women, and children,” she says. “We have the Agape Shop, where anyone can come and receive what they need for free.”

Patsalides adds that the City Mission is in need of housewares, including furniture, lamps, kitchen items, and small kitchen appliances.

“Especially if you get a replacement or a double for the holidays, donating the older one is a great gift for someone who’s in poverty,” she says.

Donations can be dropped off at

100 E. Tupper Ave., and in many cases, community members can arrange for pickup by calling 854- 8181 ext. 424.

Animals in need

But it isn’t only the two-legged among us who need some assistance. The dogs and cats at the SPCA serving Erie County need help, too. From dog walkers to volunteers feeding animals and cleaning up a bit, all help is welcome.

The SPCA, located at 300 Harlem Road in West Seneca, is always in need of common household items—

and the less money the organization has to spend on these things, the more it can spend on lifesaving medical care for its residents.

“We have a ‘wish list’ on our website, (yourspca.org/donate/ourwish-list), where you can find all the items we need,” says Bethany Kloc, communications manager. “We can use newspapers to line the bottoms of litter boxes, washcloths to wash the little kittens’ and puppies’ faces, and blankets for the kennels.”

And, of course, towels—the SPCA goes through many towels.

Kloc also listed plastic animal

carriers, large stuffed animals, and pillowcases. (Note that the SPCA cannot use heavy comforters, sheets, knitted or crocheted items, electric blankets, or pillows.)

“We will also take used dog collars,” Kloc says. “If your pet is ‘over’ the last fashion trend, we’ll use it!”

When it comes to all other types of paper clutter, like old magazines, junk mail, catalogs, and more, don’t just toss it out—recycle it! Better yet, look for a yellow and green “Paper Retriever” bin in your neighborhood to help a local organization fundraise.

There are so many other ways to help your community. For instance:

• If your extreme couponing habit got a little out of hand recently and you realized no one needs fifty cans of tuna, donate what you won’t use to the Food Bank of WNY or your church’s soup kitchen.

• If you had dreams of arts and crafts projects but never found time to do the actual crafting,

ask a nearby elementary school if they can use the supplies for art class.

• Hoarded horticultural supplies might find a new home with a community garden.

• Extra hand tools could lend a hand to a struggling vocational program.

Sometimes, opening the door to a beautiful and productive new year is as simple as opening a closet door (and pulling out all the items you don’t use anymore). Instead of throwing those old appliances, housewares, clothes, and blankets in the trash, recycle them by making a donation to a community service organization. Make 2019 your year for a cleaner house, a clearer conscience, and a lighter heart! FY

Rebecca Cuthbert lives, writes, and cares for shelter dogs in Dunkirk. She is a frequent contributor to Forever Young and Buffalo Spree.