HOME in our closet. Others feel too good to let go. Who likes to toss a piece of clothing that still has the tags on it?
creating
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T H E RE A RE CE RT A IN DA T ES on
the calendar that always seem to spur me into action. January 1 prompts me to refocus on healthy eating. February 14 reminds me to make my mammogram appointment. And on April 1, I get the itch to start spring cleaning.
LKN EXPERT
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APRIL 2021
Now that you’re on a roll, don’t stop at your closet. As meals transition to lighter fare, it’s prime time to go through your pantry and donate canned goods that you haven’t used this season. Food pantries are always in need of items, particularly canned vegetables and fruits, coffee, rice, baby food and formula, powdered milk, canned meats, peanut butter, and sugar. Some great local sources are The Mooresville/ Lake Norman Christian Mission, Loaves & Fishes, Ada Jenkins Food Pantry, and the Mooresville Soup Kitchen.
The shift to warmer weather makes April the perfect month to clean out every area of your home. Start with your closet. As your wardrobe transitions to sandals and sun dresses, it’s a great time to assess whether that outdated coat was worn this year, or if those favorite black boots have seen better days. If you haven’t worn it, let it go.
Don’t forget your garage! A warm spring day is the perfect time to get outside and clean out that oft-forgotten room. Think about how many times you go in and out of your garage a day. Wouldn’t it be nice to get rid of that old furniture or the pile of toys the kids no longer use so you could pull your car into a clean, organized space? Garages are filled with treasures for charities like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity, which sell them to support their programs, or use them to help give a family their first furnished home.
Letting go can be hard for some of us. Some items hold sentimental value, which keeps them hanging unused
An organized space is a great gift to give to yourself and to others as well … and will make next year’s spring cleaning so much easier! w
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L A K E NORMAN
The way to overcome this emotional resistance is to shift the focus away from the guilt of throwing away and focus more on the gift of giving to the needy. Items that do nothing more than take up space in your closet can change the life of someone less fortunate if you donate them. There are many tax-deductible outlets for clothing. I always try to think local first. Two that top my list are Safe Alliance and The Hope House in Huntersville. Dress for Success is another outstanding organization for women. Each Dress for Success client receives a suit when she has a job interview, which she can then return for work clothes when she finds employment. This global organization has a location right here in Charlotte on Clanton Road. If you come across worn bedsheets or towels, you can donate them too. Local animal shelters are in constant need of these items.
WRITER LAURA VANSICKLE
