Douglas County Donation Guide
Looking to donate goods? Awesome! You’re in the right place.
An important role the United Way serves in Douglas County is facilitation connections and acting as a resource hub. Please review the donation recommendations below and contact us if you have questions or need additional help.
Large or Recurring Donations
Do you have a large or recurring goods donation that you want to distribute to multiple agencies? Please contact us for assistance. We are happy to help distribute your donated items equitably to agencies serving the Douglas County community.
Guidelines
You’ve been kind enough to think of donating things you don’t need - please continue to be thoughtful about the rest of the donation process!
If you donate more than once – spread the love! There are so many great organizations that can use your support.
Anything that is donated should be clean and in good condition, examples are:
If you donate clothing or bedding– make sure it is clean, and in good wearable/usable condition.
If you donate underwear or socks – they should be new and in the package if possible.
If you donate furniture – make sure to wipe it down first and empty any drawers.
If you donate an appliance – make sure to wipe it down and check that it works.
If you donate a computer or other electronic – make sure it works, wipe it down, include any necessary power chords or remotes and clear your personal data from the device.
If a non-profit has a specific list of needs, stick to the list!
There is a common conception that non-profits can use anything they can get. We do need your support, but we can’t always make use of every type of donation. Different agencies have different needs and getting donations of things that aren’t currently needed can take up volunteer/staff time and storage capacity.
Check the donation hours or make an appointment before you go!
Some agencies have specific donation hours where volunteers and staff are available to help you. It works best for everyone if we stick to the plan. If you need to donate and can’t make those hours, contact the agency before you go and work together to find a solution.
In addition, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many agencies are currently accepting donations by appointment only.
Agency Information
We’re providing the information below to help you find the best home for your donations.
Step 1) Find agencies that you think are a fit for your donation based on their general needs
Step 2) Check their current needs and make sure they need what you have to donate
Step 3) Follow the donation instructions!
| Agency | Description | Generally Needed | Find Current Needs | How to Donate | Website | Phone |
| 100 Good Women | One Hundred Good Women is a 501(c)3 volunteer group that responds to short-term needs in the community as support and backup for our local social services. We serve Douglas County, Kansas. | Grocery Cards, Gas Cards, Household Goods | Find Current Needs | Contact for Info | 100goodwomen.org | N/A |
| Lawrence Winter Shelter | The Lawrence Winter Shelter relies on volunteer staff to supervise emergency sleeping accommodations for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. | Shelf-Stable Individual Packaged Food, Hygiene Items | Find Current Needs | Donations can be mailed or brought to the Days Inn on Iowa Street, anytime during the day but specifically starting at 4:45pm to room 108 |
facebook.com/lawrencewintershelter dccfoundation.org/fund/Winter-Shelter-Fund |
N/A |
| Catholic Charities | Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas Lawrence Family Support Center is available to low-income individuals and families who need food or assistance with basic utility payments, housing, clothing or medical prescriptions. | Food, Winter Clothing, Clothing, Personal Care, Hygiene, Laundry Soap | Call 785-856-5694 | Call 785-856-5694 | catholiccharitiesks.org | 785-856-5694 |
| Clare's Community Closet | Providing free clothing and supplies for those in need. | Clothing, Hygiene, Personal Care | Find Current Needs | Check Facebook for current donation hours, drop off @ 720 E 9th St Unit #1 in Lawrence | facebook.com/CCommuityCloset | 785-410-3372 |
| Drop In and Rest (DARE) Center | The DARE Center provides basic services for individuals experiencing homelessness in our community. | Hygiene, Personal Care, Bedding, Winter Clothing, Laundry Soap, Food | Find Current Needs | Drop off at 944 Kentucky St in Lawrence | darecenterlawrence.org | 785-856-0698 |
| Family Promise Of Lawrence | Helping homeless families with children achieve and maintain permanent housing | Kitchenware, Housewares, Hygiene, Vacuums, Toasters, Bedding | Find Current Needs | Call 785-764-9506 | lawrencefamilypromise.org | 785-764-9506 |
| Just Food | At Just Food, we are a reflection of the community we serve. Through connection with businesses, organizations, schools, volunteers, local government and individuals we are able to identify gaps within our food system and solve problems strategically. It is because of these partnerships that we are able to bridge the gap from being food insecure to ensuring that folks in our community are fed healthy foods without barriers. | Food, Kitchenware | Find Current Needs | Donate during regular hours of operation at Just Food or donate non-perishables in community barrels at The Merc, River Rat Skate Shop, The Lawrence public Library. | justfoodks.org | 785-856-7030 |
| Harvesters - The Community Food Network | Harvesters is the Feeding America food bank serving this region. Harvesters provides food and related household products to more than 760 nonprofit agencies including food pantries, community kitchens, homeless shelters, children's homes and others. | Food;Non-perishable food items; | Find Current Needs | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM Monday-Friday. Donations can be placed in Harvesters branded barrels at the entrance/exit of most area grocery stores. | N/A | |
| Lawrence Community Shelter | The Lawrence Community Shelter is the only emergency homeless shelter serving Lawrence and Douglas County in Kansas. We offer a safe haven to individuals and families facing homelessness. | Hygiene, Personal Care, First Aid, Bedding, Kitchenware, Food | Find Current Needs | Click for donation hours and instructions | lawrenceshelter.org | 785-832-8864 |
| Lawrence Food Not Bombs | Community collective with the belief that food is a right on a mission to end food waste, support revolutionary organizations in Lawrence, and "look qute doin it" | Vegan/Vegetarian Food | Find Current Needs | Contact on Facebook for current needs and donation instructions | facebook.com/lfkfnb | N/A |
| Lawrence Habitat for Humanity Restore | A ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement and donation center that resells new and gently used furniture, building materials, and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. The ReStore provides a valuable source of income for support towards achieving Lawrence Habitat for Humanity’s mission of building more safe, decent and affordable homes for the residents of Douglas & Jefferson Counties. | Furniture, Flooring, Cabinets, Building Materials, Doors, Windows | Find Current Needs | Click for Info | lawrencerestore.org | 785-856-6920 |
| Lawrence Humane Society | Today, the Lawrence Humane Society operates a 20,000-square-foot facility that shelters and cares for several thousand animals per year. The shelter serves Lawrence, Douglas County, and several surrounding communities. | Animal Needs, Cleaning Supplies | Find Current Needs | Call 785-843-6835 | lawrencehumane.org | 785-843-6835 |
| Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen (LINK) | The purpose of LINK is to share home-cooked, nutritious meals with kindness in a safe and welcoming environment with families, the homeless, hungry, lonely, physically or mentally disabled, and the poor. | Food, Kitchen Towels, Plasticware | Find Current Needs | Donate during 1PM Lunch Hour Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun @ First Christian Church 221 W. 10th in Lawrence | linklawrence.org | 785-331-3663 |
| Lawrence Meals on Wheels | Lawrence Meals On Wheels serves hot, nutritious meals to the homebound elderly and/or disabled. The meals are purchased from Lawrence Memorial Hospital. LMH prepares the meals to meet the individual specifications of each diet order, under the supervision of a licensed dietician | Copy Paper, Stamps, Candy | Find Current Needs | Call 785-830-8844 | lawrencemow.org | 785-830-8844 |
| Lawrence Mutual Aid Network | In response to the growing pandemic of COVID-19 community organizers and LFK residents have committed to helping and maintaining community during social isolation through a network of volunteers and mutual aid planning. | Gas Cards; Bus Passes; Financial Donations; | Find Current Needs | lfkmutualaid@gmail.com |
facebook.com/lfkmutual |
N/A |
| Social Service League | Serving the people of Lawrence and Douglas County, KS since 1863. Provides supplies and clothing for individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. | Clothing, Housewares, Kitchenware, Personal Care, Winter Clothing | Find Current Needs | Call 785-843-5414 | facebook.com/socialserviceleague | 785-843-5414 |
| Sunrise Project | Sunrise Project serves Douglas County by providing space and opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to build an equitable community through education, good food, and social connection. | Food, Hygiene, Personal Care | Find Current Needs | Leave supplies at pantry on the ront porch at 1501 Learnard in Lawrence | sunriseprojectks.org | 785-865-1618 |
| The Ballard Center | Ballard Center is a non-profit organization that provides a high quality, affordable early education program and essential basic life assistance for families and individuals in need. | Food, Winter Clothing, Hygiene, Diapers, Blankets, Gas Cards, Bus Passes | Find Current Needs | Call 785-842-0729 to schedule a drop-off or use the clothing-bin anytime @ 708 Elm St in Lawrence | ballardcenter.org | 785-842-0729 |
| The Children's Shelter | The Children's Shelter is a nonprofit social service agency based in Lawrence, Kansas. We provide a variety of services designed to strengthen families and children who are experiencing major changes. | Food | Find Current Needs | Click here for contact info | theshelterinc.org | 785-843-2085 |
| The Salvation Army |
The Salvation Army provides assistance to families and individuals in crisis. Services available at the corps community center include food pantry, rent and utility assistance, and emotional and spiritual care among a host of others. You’ll also find the Beacon of Hope Canteen hitting the streets of Lawrence three times a week to deliver meals to individuals throughout the community. |
Food, Personal Care, Hygiene, Winter Coats | Find Current Needs | Please call ahead. | centralusa.salvationarmy.org/douglascounty | 785-843-4188 |
| Independence Inc. | Center for Independent Living. It is our mission to maximize the independence of people with disabilities through advocacy, peer support, training, transportation and community education. | Hygiene, durable medical equipment, Personal Care | Find Current Needs | Donation hours 8:30 am- 5:00 pm M-F. Equipment must be in working condition and sanitized before donation. Please call before bringing donations to assure there is a need for your items at that time. | independenceinc.org/borrowdonate-equipment/ | 785-841-0333 |
| The Willow Domestic Violence Center | The Willow Domestic Violence Center builds safer communities through shelter, services, and support to survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking in Douglas, Franklin, and Jefferson counties. | Limited Storage Space - Check Amazon Wishlist | Find Current Needs | Donate @ 1920 Moodie Rd in Lawrence M-F 9am-4pm or Cottin's Hardware @ 1832 Massachusetts during business hours | willowdvcenter.org | 785-331-2034 |
