Thanksgiving Clothing Drives in Cleveland, Ohio

Help your community in the most basic way by donating your useable used clothing. Clean out your closets, attic and basement and bolster the families struck by adversity. Sadly, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency, only 16% of all usable clothing is recycled. Many would be donors throw out their used clothing. Keep the clothing in circulation and out of the dumps. Help the environment and your neighbor by participating in a clothing drive.

There are many local organizations that will take your clothes year round, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Planet Aid Collection boxes, Cleveland City Mission and Church Street Ministries are places that you can simply swing by and drop of clothing. While the Easter Seals and Vietnam Vets and will pick up at your house.

Planet Aid collection box located at the Citgo station, 24497 Sprague Rd in Columbia Station, as well as at numerous places throughout Cleveland. Check their website for a box near you.

Currently the Strongsville Rotary Club is running a Homeless Clothing Drive Fridays at the Strongsville Rec Center. They are need your new or gently used Shirts, Pants, Sweaters, Jackets, Dresses, Shoes, Belts, Socks and Blankets.

They are asking that your donations are clean, folded and bagged. Drop off is between 7am and 8:30 am on Fridays.

Church Street Ministries is especially in need of children's clothes and can always use your donations, both clothing and household items. Church Street Ministries does an amazing work in the greater Cleveland area working with battered women, at risk youth, the poor and homeless and those hit by adversity of all kinds. Necessary items are given to get them back on their feet plus counseling and education, all funded through the sale of the donations. An unheard of 80% goes directly into this ministry.

Donate, shop and tell your friends about their stores;

Second Mile Thrift Shop located at

398 West Bagley Rd #10

Berea, Ohio 44017

Second Mile West Furniture Store

1480 West Bagley Rd.

Berea, Ohio 44017

Large items can be arranged to be picked up by contacting the store at 440-239-0549.

Having adequate footwear is something most people in the US take for granted. Help the homeless and at risk children by donating new and gently used shoes and socks to any of the above organizations. There are also a couple of dedicated ministries that send shoes to the neediest of needy around the world. Soles 4 Souls and Shoes for Orphan Souls accept donations at local drop off locations or can be sent directly to their headquarters.

So many people are struggling due to the national economic crisis and natural disasters, taking the time to look through your closets are a simple way to help. Make it more fun by hosting your own clothing drive.

Plan a clothing drive at your apartment building, workplace, church or synagogue. Help others make a difference too.

Encourage people to bring in winter coats, gloves and hats, their old business clothes (for job interviews), and shoes.

Ask for them to please hang their items if possible, or neatly fold.

Create excitement by offering prizes for the most donations or randomly throughout the drive, like the 7^th contribution or the 23^rd. This keeps it fun and encourages donations from many participants.

End the drive with a pot luck dinner or simply call for a pickup or drop off the donations to your organization of choice and know that you are making a difference in your community.

Start where you are, with what you have, every little bit helps.