WHAT TYPES OF FURNITURE DO YOU ACCEPT?
We generally look for gently used bedroom, living room, and dining room pieces. Some office furniture is also accepted.
CAN YOU TAKE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS & CLOTHING?
Although we schedule the truck for furniture pickups, certainly if we are there we can accept other items as well. Please have gently used clothing bagged, and other items boxed to carry. If you have stained/torn clothing that normally wouldn’t make it on our sales floor, please separate them out into a different bag, and mark as such. We are able to recycle clothing items that we are not able to resell. We ask that donations that don’t include furniture be dropped at one of our Sparrow’s Nest locations.
ARE THERE ANY DONATIONS YOU CANNOT ACCEPT?
- Sleeper sofas (with pull-out beds) and water beds (landlords don’t allow them)
- Mattresses (will accept brand new in original packaging only)
- Crib regulations that went into effect 6-28-11 have made all but the newest models unacceptable. Please check www.cpsc.gov/info/cribs for more info.
- Upholstered items that have major tears, stains, or sun-damage, and we look for warping of press-board with entertainment centers, dressers, etc.
- Exercise equipment
- Any type of computer equipment (such as computers, laptops, printers, monitors, fax machines)
- TV’s more than 5 years old
- Lawn and Garden equipment (lawn mowers, trimmers, snow blowers)
- Hazardous chemicals/materials and paint
- Outdoor grills
- Entertainment centers
- Encyclopedias and Textbooks
DO YOU TAKE LARGE APPLIANCES (REFRIGERATORS, STOVES, WASHERS-DRYERS, ETC)?
Although we don’t sell them in the Resale shops, the large appliances we use in the shelters are all donated items. Our families then move to section 8 housing, and usually the landlords provide the appliances. Therefore our needs aren’t great, but we always appreciate an offer, and will check Agency-wide to see if a need can be filled.
DO YOU TAKE TVs?
We accept TVs that are 5 years or newer and in perfect working order. All TVs have a date of fabrication printed on the back. Please check before scheduling with us. We no longer offer pickup of TVs unless a furniture pickup has already been scheduled. Please have TV hooked up and ready to show our Logistics Team so they can verify it is in working order. Due to the Illinois E-Waste Disposal Regulation effective 1/1/2012, the Sparrow’s Nest Thrift Stores will no longer accept donations of electronics which include: stereos, VCRs, DVD players, computers and monitors, fax machines, modems, and older TVs. Thanks for your understanding.
DO YOU TAKE MATTRESSES?
No, we do not accept mattresses.
HOW DO I DETERMINE THE VALUE OF MY DONATED ITEMS?
Please see our donation valuation information at the bottom of the page HERE
CAN I GET A DONATION LETTER FOR TAX PURPOSES?
Click Below to get a printable copy of a donation receipt.
