National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii: Donate Clothes, Small Household Goods

At different times of the year, we find our home becoming cluttered with excess clothes and other unwanted household items. We prefer to minimize with little effort and hassle. Knowing our gently used items are going to a good cause gives us heartwarming gratitude. This is why the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii is a popular recipient for such donations.

The National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii is dedicated to detection, prevention and treatment of kidney urinary tract diseases. This advocacy formed in the 1950's. Further, they have helped develop legislation to allow Medicare coverage for kidney transplants and dialysis patients. Prior to this legislation many people died after kidney failures.

This foundation provides a number of services to gain funding for their programs. I am most familiar with Kidney Clothes. This program is the foundation's most recent venture to fighting kidney disease in Hawaii. After donations are collected the foundation sells the items to Savers Thrift Stores located in Kalihi and Whiapahu. Then all the profit goes to support all the programs of the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii throughout all the Hawaiian Islands.

There are a few different ways to get your donations to the Kidney Clothes program. You can utilize the mailer program, donation bins or the condo program.

The mailer program is conducted by a yellow notification card sent through the postal service. They send approximately 198,000 cards every 5-6 weeks to residents of Oahu. The card will list a day that the Kidney Truck will be in route to your neighborhood. Simply call and verify that you will be donating on the listed day. They will then ask you if curbside pick up is okay and if not you can give further instructions. They will keep your number in their system that links you to the address you provided. This helps for any further inquiries. Even if you call for pick up for an alternate date, they are willing to work with you on scheduling a day that works for you.

By 8:00 am have your donations in boxes or bags with the yellow notification card taped to the outside. Then they know for certain this donation is for them. If you don't have a yellow card then simply write "Kidney Truck" on a piece of paper and tape it on. They will pick up your donation by 3:00 pm. After they load your donation they will leave behind a form you can claim for your taxes.

This is the program I have used regularly. Since I have moved I have stopped receiving the yellow notice card, but I can still call them to set up a pickup date. I find this method easy and convenient.

Donation bins are placed at 20 locations through out the island of Oahu. You can get the addresses off their website. The bins are 5'x 5' and are able to contain donations that will fit through the 2 foot drop chute. Soft and unbreakable material is recommended. They ask to not leave donations that do not fit outside the bins.

The condo program will work directly with Resident Managers, Property Managers and Condo Boards to organize a program to reduce clutter within the complex. Three programs can be tailored to the individual needs and size of the complex.

Condo Bins are semi-permanent mini-sized donation bins. These are checked and cleared on a weekly basis.

Attended trucks are an option for larger complexes. This is usually set up for once a month to collect donations in a 2 hour block of time.

Scheduled pick ups are best for smaller complexes. The foundation will provide flyers for the building representative to post.

I am very pleased with the Kidney Clothes program and what it has to offer Hawaii. I think it's a great way to clean up our community's clutter while providing the National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii funding for their valuable programs.