The Ultimate Twin Cities Guide to Getting Rid of Stuff—Responsibly Part One: Thrift Stores
When you're organizing or downsizing your home, it's easy to get stuck on certain items. You know they don’t belong in the trash, but you’re unsure how to get them into the right hands—whether it’s donating to a good cause or recycling responsibly. From old electronics to furniture, art supplies to household hazardous waste, finding the right place to take these items can feel overwhelming. That’s why I’ve created this Twin Cities-specific guide to help you declutter with confidence, ensuring your things find a new life, help someone in need, or are properly recycled.
This post is part one of a series where I'll break down the best options for donating and recycling in the Twin Cities. In this first installment, we’ll focus on local thrift stores—your go-to spots for donating gently used clothing, furniture, and household goods.
1. Twin Cities Area Thrift Store Chains
The Minneapolis / St Paul Area has several large thrift store chains that accept a wide variety of gently used items like clothing, shoes, accessories, and household goods. Each store typically supports a charitable cause. When donating, choose a store that aligns with a cause you feel good about supporting, and be sure to check their specific guidelines for accepted items.
Arc's Value Village
Richfield, Bloomington, New Hope
Cause: Supports Arc Minnesota's programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
More info: Arc's Value Village
Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota
Multiple Locations
Cause: Job training and employment support services for people facing barriers to work.
More info: Goodwill Minnesota
Salvation Army
Multiple Locations
Cause: Supports various services, including homeless shelters, addiction recovery programs, and disaster relief.
More info: Salvation Army Donation
Savers
Locations: Apple Valley, Bloomington, Maplewood, and more.
Cause: A for-profit company, Savers partners with local non-profits like the Epilepsy Foundation. These nonprofits collect donations and Savers pays them a price per pound for the items for the items collected
More info: Savers
2. Local Mission-Based Thrift Stores
If you're looking to support specific causes or local charities rather than large chain thrift stores, consider the following list of non-chain thrift stores in the Twin Cities metro area.
Northeast Metro: New Day Thrift Store
Location: 2733 Rice St, Little Canada, MN
What they accept: Gently used clothing, shoes, household goods, and small furniture.
Cause: Proceeds support pro-life services at Christian Life Ministries, New Day Pregnancy & Family Resource Center, and Raíces y Ramas.
More info: Visit their website for donation guidelines and store hours.
Southeast Metro: Basic Needs Thrift Store
Location: 6870 E Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove, MN
What they accept: Gently used clothing, furniture, household goods, and toys.
Cause: Proceeds support local families in need through various assistance programs, providing essential resources for those facing hardships.
More info: Check their website for details on donations and hours.
Northwest Metro: Legacy Thrift
Location: 4545 Douglas Dr N, Crystal, MN
What they accept: Gently used clothing, shoes, household items, and furniture.
Cause: Proceeds help fund programs that support people with disabilities and their families, promoting inclusivity and community integration.
More info: Learn more on their website.
Southwest Metro: Rak Thrift
Location: 205 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN
What they accept: Gently used clothing, shoes, home decor, and small furniture.
Cause: Proceeds support Bridge for Youth, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter and supportive services for homeless youth, helping them transition to stable living situations.
More info: Visit their website for details on donations and store hours.
3. Donation Pick Up Services
For those who aren’t able to transport their donations to a physical location—or for anyone with a large number of items to donate—there are convenient donation pickup options available in the Twin Cities metro area. These services make it easier to declutter your home by coming directly to you, saving you the hassle of hauling everything yourself. Many nonprofits offer this service for free or for a small fee, making it simple to support a cause you care about without leaving your home.
1. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) of Minnesota
Service: The DAV offers free pickup of donated items to support veterans and their families.
What they accept: Gently used clothing, household goods, small furniture, and appliances.
How to schedule a pickup: Donations can be scheduled online through their website or by calling their local chapter. Just provide your address, a list of items, and preferred pickup times.
2. The Salvation Army
Service: The Salvation Army provides a pickup service for donations to support their various programs for individuals and families in need.
What they accept: Clothing, furniture, appliances, and household goods.
How to schedule a pickup: You can schedule a pickup by visiting their website or by calling their local number. Simply fill out the form with your donation details, and they will arrange a pickup at your convenience.
3. Epilepsy Foundation
Service: The Epilepsy Foundation offers a free pickup service for donated items to support epilepsy education and advocacy programs.
What they accept: Clothing, shoes, household items, and small furniture.
How to schedule a pickup: Schedule a pickup by visiting their website and using their donation pickup form, or by calling their local office. Provide your address and a list of items for pickup.
By donating to these local thrift stores, you’re not only decluttering your space but also supporting causes that make a difference in the community. In the next blog post, we'll dive into other local nonprofits that accept donations, so you can continue your decluttering journey with even more options for giving back. Stay tuned for part two of this series, where we'll explore how you can help support organizations doing vital work right here in the Twin Cities.
