Moving and wanting to get rid of personal items? Calgary has many organizations that would love to take your unwanted items and resell or use them. And the knife cuts 2 ways!
- Your donations help to raise funds for many different local charities.
- And the landfills are very grateful that many items get a second life.
Following is a list of organizations in Calgary accepting your unwanted items, from clothing to furniture to kids toys and more. Always check their website before heading over with your donations! And always make sure what kind of items are (not) accepted and get updated on drop off locations.
THRIFT STORE BASED
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Furniture, appliances, building materials, tools and household goods, home décor and even paint can all be donated to Habitat for Humanity. This organization resells the products at two Calgary locations. Check the website for their donation guidelines. Habitat for Humanity can arrange pick up in certain cases. For more information on pick up, click here.
Funds generated in stores are used to fund the local Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta affordable home ownership program. It helps low income families buy homes.
Veterans Association
The Veterans Thrift store receives many different items: toys, games, books, electronics, clothing, accessories, etc. Check their website for drop off location and accepted items.
Proceeds of the The Veterans Association Store go directly to support programs and services of the Veterans Association Food Bank.
Salvation Army Thrift Store
A wide variety of items can be donated here: kitchenware, clothing, bedding and linens, home décor, games and toys, books, pet accessories and electronics. A full list of accepted items is on their website. The Salvation Army Thrift Store has several locations in Calgary, as well as one in Airdrie and one in Strathmore. Also, drop off bins are available throughout.
The Salvation Army is a Christian organization that supports vulnerable people in both Canada and across the world. The proceeds of the thrift stores go to their charity projects, including shelters.
Goodwill Alberta
Gently used clothing, household goods and furniture can be dropped off at a handful of Goodwill locations in Calgary. For specifics about what you can donate visit their donation page.
Proceeds of Goodwill go towards improving the lives of Albertans with disabilities. Further to operating retail outlets, Goodwill also offers the Repair for Good program which up-cycles broken and discarded furniture, sorts items and more.
Women in Need Society (WINS)
A variety of items can be donated such as clothing, shoes, accessories, backpacks, household goods, small appliances, décor, linens, books, children’s toys, electronics, sporting equipment, and furniture. WINS has several drop off locations and a more detailed list of accepted items is on the website. Also pick up can be arranged by WINS.
Women in Need Society (WINS) is a thrift charity, providing basic needs resources and support to women and their families.
MCC Thrift Store
This thrift store accepts a variety of items such as housewares, toys, sports equipment, antiques, furniture, books, cd’s etc. A full list can be found here. The thrift shop is located in NE Calgary.
Nearly all profits earned by this local MCC Thrift Shop are contributed to the work of the Mennonite Central Committee.
Mission Thrift Store
This organization runs a thrift store in Killarney. All types of donations are accepted including clothing, toys, games, housewares, sports equipment, furniture and electronics. Check the store’s complete list of accepted items.
Mission Thrift Stores run about 50 locations in Canada. This organization converts donated goods into cash and proceeds fund international programs in over 40 countries worldwide.
Value Village
Value Village is a large thrift store with a handful of locations in Calgary, as well as Airdrie. These stores accept many different items from clothing to electronics, sport items, housewares, small appliances and small furniture. Check their website for items to donate.
The proceeds from Value Village go to several charity organizations including Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Cerebral Palsy, Diabetes and the Kidney Foundation.
17th Ave Thrift
This thrift store is also located in Killarney. Any items that can be sold for a second life are accepted such as clothing, shoes, lamps, kitchenware, houseware and so forth. A complete list is available on the website.
The 17th Ave Thrift store donates proceeds from the store to several rescues and animal shelters such as the MEOW Foundation, Parachutes for Pets, etc.
WorldServe Thrift Store
This store is located near Chinook and accepts furniture, clothing, kitchenware, sporting goods, books, hardware and much more. Check the website for location and accepted items.
Proceeds of the WorldServe Thrift Store go to local and international programs. Local support goes to women’s safe houses, shelters, refugee support, etc.
Good Neighbour Community Market
A thrift store located in downtown Calgary, the Good Neighbour Community Market accepts clothing, accessories such as hats, belts and jewelry, shoes, underwear, non-perhishable foods, and also plants. The Good Neighbour Community Market does not have a website. For drop off details and location check the Instagram page.
This thrift store hopes to bring together the community for “a dignified and fun shopping environment for everybody, regardless of their ability to pay”.
Junk In The Trunk Inc
Partially charity based is Junk in the Trunk with a thrift store in Ogden. This business also offers the clean out of homes and estates and junk removal service.
This organization supports small local charities through some (!) of their sales.
CHILDREN FOCUSED
Calgary Flames Sports Bank
The Calgary Flames Sports Bank collects and redistributes any type of sports gear, from basketballs to frisbees to hockey gear. For a more complete list visit their website, which includes drop off locations.
All used sports equipment is distributed to children who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to participate in sports.
Calgary Donations / MOMS Canada
A wide variety of items can be donated: clothing and shoes, accessories such as gloves and scarves, household items such as bedding and kitchenware, home décor and, of course, toys, bikes and sporting gear. Check the website for the items this organization accepts. Pick up can be arranged in some case, as well.
MOMS Canada is a non-profit organization helping single moms and their children.
Made by Momma
Any usable items for moms are welcome such as strollers, car seats, cribs, crib mattresses, clothing, toys and books, etc. A complete list of needed items can be found on their website.
Made by Momma is an organization providing mothers with healthy prepared meals, wholesome baked goods, baby essentials, children’s items, supportive in home visits.
May’s Toybank Ltd.
Located in Chestermere is May’s Toybank. Any items for a family with children can be donated such as baby items, children’s clothing, etc.
May’s Toybank serves Chestermere, Langdon, Strathmore and surrounding areas. This organization can arrange for pickup of some donations.
ADULT SOCIETY
Mustard Seed
Mens and women’s clothing, as well as gloves, boots, construction gear, toiletries, etc. can be donated to the Mustard Seed. Items go directly to those in need. View the complete list of necessities. Their website also shows several drop off locations.
The Mustard Seed helps men and women experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Dress for Success Calgary
Most types of clothing, suitable for women, are accepted at this organization. Also, toiletries and accessories are accepted items. For a complete list refer to their website.
Dress for Success Calgary helps women to succeed in the workplace and achieve economic independence.
Calgary Dream Centre
In December 2021, The Calgary Dream Centre opened a store on MacLeod Trail, offering used items. Several items can be donated such as clothing, household items, sports equipment, toiletries etc.
The Calgary Dream Centre offers programs for men and women to help them through overcoming addiction.
Inclusion Alberta
Inclusion Alberta turns used goods into funds by selling them to Value Village. Donations can be dropped off in a bin. For locations of bins click here.
Raised funds are used to support children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
Calgary Drop-In Centre
The Drop-In Centre accepts clean and usable household items, furniture, cookware and clothing, including socks and underwear. Also, hygiene items are always needed such as toothpaste, soap, tampons and towels. For a complete list and drop off location, visit their website.
The Calgary Drop-In Centre is devoted to ending homelessness. They offer essential care, health services and emergency shelter to people in need.
Kidney Clothes
Clothing, bedding, accessories, sporting goods, small appliances and kitchenware are just a few items than can be donated to Kidney Clothes. Check their website for a list of goods accepted. All items donated to Kidney Clothes are sold through Value Village.
The Kidney Clothes program helps to raise money for research and programs focused on kidney disease.
Diabetes Canada
This organization collects many different kinds of goods such as clothing, electronics and household items. Some goods can be picked up, and throughout the city of Calgary are bins to drop off goods, as well. Please check the website from Diabetes Canada to see what is (not) accepted at the bins. A list of bin locations is also available.
Diabetes Canada raises money for research on diabetes and creates support programs for diabetics.
Project Warmth
Fire stations in Calgary accept warm clothing of all sizes for those in need. Winter coats, sweaters, and also blankets, gloves and sleeping bags are appreciated.
Items go to individuals and families facing homelessness.
People for Progress Foundation
Computers, phones, children’s and adult clothing, small toys etc, school supplies and the likes can be donated here. Check the website for a complete list of items and contact information for drop off.
The People for Progress Foundation is an education based charitable organization supporting schools and individual students in East Africa.
University of Calgary
The university of Calgary has a store with free items to donate to students on campus. Household supplies, dishes, cutlery, brooms, school supplies, electronics, etc. get a second life with students on campus.
Check the website for more details on the free store and accepted items at the U of C.
BOOKS
Books Between Friends
Books Between Friends sells used books donated by you and me. Books must be in good condition. However, be aware, not all books can be donated, including books in a foreign language or textbooks, so check the website of Books Between Friends first.
Proceeds from sales go to a number of different organizations such as the Veterans Food Bank of Calgary, Alberta Guide Dogs and many more.
Peak Books
Peak Books accepts any kind of books, as well as comic books, video games, DVD’s, vinyl records, etc. Books must be in good condition.
Peak Books sells and donates to the community, hospitals, schools and other local nonprofits. For details on donations, visit the website.
Little Red Reading House
This organization loves to accept your children’s books in good condition. Check the website for donation details.
Little Red Reading House is located in Inglewood where children can enjoy reading.
ANIMAL FOCUSED
MEOW Foundation
A wide variety of items can be donated to this organization. Items will be resold in their thrift shop in NE Calgary. Accepted items are home décor, toys, pet items, kitchenware, gardening tools, small electronics, anything that is resalable. For a complete list of accepted items check their website.
The MEOW Foundation rescues cats and facilitates the adoption of stray and abandoned cats into permanent homes.
Calgary Humane Society
The Calgary Humane Society accepts used towels, blankets, flat sheets and animal beds. Also, new items such as animal toys, cat litter and food are accepted. Visit the website for their list of accepted items.
The Calgary Humane Society is a welfare organization for animals offering them shelter and finding homes for all kinds of animals.
Calgary Animal Rescue
Calgary Animal Rescue is happy to accept all kinds of animal accessories. Accepted are cages, pens, pet toys, beds, collars, remaining medication, food, and also office supplies for administration. Visit the website for a complete list for needed and accepted items.
Calgary Animal Rescue helps animals in need, including finding homes for dogs and cats.
AARCS
Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society accepts a number of items for cats, dogs, rabbits and other animals. Clean towels, pet foods, animal toys and the likes are always appreciated. Check the website for details on location and accepted items.
AARCS, Alberta Animal Rescue Crew Society, helps give homeless animals new homes across Alberta for all animals.
SPCA
The SPCA accepts items such as pet toys, treats, beds, etc. Visit the SPCA website for details on accepted items. Visit the website for donating items and location.
The SPCA, The Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals focuses on animal welfare in Alberta.
ELECTRONICS SPECIFIC
Electronics Recycling Association
Electronics such as desktop computers, laptops, tables, printers, phone systems, software, and parts can go to The Electronics Recycling Association. Check the location of this organization here.
This organization offers refurbished electronic equipment to several foundations and charities such as the Brenda Strafford Foundation in Calgary.
FURTHERMORE…
Churches and focus groups
Many churches in Calgary accept donations as well. Google your local churches for locations, accepted items and drop-off times.
Often, Canada’s focus is to help a certain group of people in need. Think of Ukrainians, Syrians and people from Afghanistan in recent years. The Government of Canada is one source to help newcomers start their lives in Canada.
Besides churches and the government, many Calgarians help collect items for refugees on an individual basis. Social media such as Facebook and community centres can be resources.
Disclaimer. This list is compiled with true care. If we missed an organization, if any information is incorrect or for any other concerns, contact us directly via this form.