What Should I Consider When Donating Appliances to a Good Cause?

When you want to do something to make the world a better place for someone, appliance donation is one way to go about it. Donating appliances to people who could use them or passing the appliances on to organizations that can convert them into cash to help people is one small way you can make a difference. If you find yourself with kitchen appliances on hand that you want to pass on, here are some ideas on how to make sure they go to people who will put them to good use.

Before you do anything with the appliance, make sure that all the components are working properly. For example, if you are donating a stove, check the efficiency of the heating elements and clean the oven and range thoroughly. This will help to ensure the donated stove can be installed and start to benefit someone less fortunate very quickly.

Identify and contact local soup kitchens and homeless centers in your area. Many of these organizations operate on shoestring budgets. Donating appliances they can use alongside other equipment or to replace older models that are on their last leg will be appreciated a great deal. Along with the pleasure of knowing your old but still functional appliances will help a lot of people, you can often also claim the donation as a tax deduction.

Another option for donating appliances is to check into local charities that operate thrift shops. Many of them are happy to receive used appliances that are in good condition. By donating to charities of this type, you make it possible for them to generate cash that can be used to help people in your local community. As with the homeless centers and soup kitchens, donating the stove to a local charity usually creates a tax deduction.

Spread the word among your business and social contacts. Let them know you have used appliances that you would like to donate to a worthy cause. Someone who attends the same house of worship, works at the same company, or lives in the same neighborhood may know of someone who is in dire need of the appliance you want to donate and cannot afford to purchase one. While not benefiting a charity or helping you obtain a tax deduction, you may find a lot of satisfaction in helping someone who is struggling right now.

Another approach to donating appliances is to think globally instead of locally. Organizations that provide disaster relief in various locations around the world can often use kitchen appliances and other items that help people to begin rebuilding their lives. Your stove or refrigerator could make a big difference to a family that is attempting to set up housekeeping after losing a home to a flood.

In the end, donating appliances makes much more sense than having a still usable appliance end up in a landfill. Choose a family or an organization that you believe will benefit most from your donation. If you plan on using the donation as a tax deduction, make sure the charity you choose is recognized by the national government and make sure to obtain a receipt for your donation.