some advice on donating?

[niro_anan]

Hi, ever since I started couponing again this past year I've been hoping on donating loads of items to people who need them.I have some questions regarding donations . I know there are several people on this site that have donated and wanted to know what types of items to donate and how to find good deals on them so I can spread my budget to buy more than a few items. Any experiences buying items would help .

I guess this can also be a thread for a newbie like me who accepts 1.00 toothpaste is reasonably cheap asking for advice on sales that are possible ..like toothpaste free ?.

I'm looking to donate to the Toronto animal shelter east end , any womens shelter, any type of place In toronto that would take my stockpile that I'm trying to grow. Usually I stick to buying personal products such as toothpaste for 1$ , deoderant $1 , that load of shaving gels for 50cents, body wash and soap For $1 ...I know feminine products such as always, tampax , etc would be accepted aswell? Trying to find deals on that aswell.

For animal shelter I'm looking to buy dog food, cat food, rabbit food and shavings, some bird food I already have . Do they take any type of food or should I call in and ask if they wouldn't accept certain items? I also head they need lots of newspaper? And bleach ?


Any help would greatly be appreciated . Thank you

[gracesmommy]

thats really nice that you want to donate. as for general items being needed, since reading alot of posts on shelters needing personal hygene items, toilet paper, baby food/diapers i usually try and donate those things but i'm sure they would be greatful with anything that you can give. i remember hearing once that a homless shelter was asking for new socks to be donated which kind of struck a cord with me. i'd call the animal shelter and see what they're looking for.. the 1 that i used to live near was sometimes picky.. but i do recall them always looking for bleach, leashers, collars, cat litter and canadian tire money. i dont think that answers all your questions but maybe some again, a really nice thing that you're wanting to do!

[RebeccaRYoung]

I would call the specific shelter and find out what they need. Some shelters and food banks won't accept actual items, only cash. Call ahead before you go to a lot of work and find out that they won't or don't accept it.