Image adapted from: CDC Singapore
Out with the old and in with the new, they say. But for those of us with a habit of hoarding stuff, spring cleaning is that super sian time of the year when we have to say goodbye to some of these things.
Don’t worry though, because even if something is no longer useful to you, it might still be of great help to someone else. The 11 organizations below, arranged by categories, will gladly take what you don’t want and put them to good use this new year.
Bonus: some of these places run their own thrift stores in-house. This means you can drop off your unwanted things and pick up some pretty good deals in the process!
Image credit: @MINDS Singapore
If you head to one of MINDS’s thrift stores, you’ll find a whole bunch of things including furniture, clothes, toys and collectibles. The prices are super affordable, and you can expect to score things like Esprit tops for just $4.
While these things are not brand new, they have been given a new lease of life by the intellectually disabled that MINDS supports. They carefully restore the donated items and staff the shops, giving them firsthand experience practicing with objects and people.
The next time you find yourself with stuff you don’t need, drop them off at one of their four shops. While you’re there, feel free to support the disabled further by hunting for some good bargains in their stores!
Note: MINDS provides pickup services too if you are thinking of organizing a large scale collection. Just contact the personnel listed on their website!
MINDS Shop at Woodlands
Address: 30 Woodlands Ring Road, Singapore 737883
Telephone: 63663966 ext 238
Opening Hours: Tue-Thurs: 10AM-3PM
MINDS Shop at Margaret
Address: 800 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149310
Telephone: 64731148 ext 304
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed: 10AM-3PM
MINDS Shop at Rosyth
Address: 29 Rosyth Road, Singapore 546190
Telephone: 97851997
Opening Hours: Tue-Thurs: 10AM-3PM
MINDS Shop Plus at NTUC Healthcare
Address: Blk 71 Redhill Road, #01-29, Singapore 150071
Telephone: 64738223
Opening Hours: Tue-Sun: 9AM-6PM
Email: minds@minds.org.sg
Website
Image credit: Blessings in a Bag
Nothing lasts forever, and neither do our things. Shoes get worn out, blankets get old and clothes get frayed. But even if you don’t need those things, someone else just might.
Blessings in a Bag helps to collect, organise and distribute these things to people in rural communities across Southeast Asia. They collect items at their donation drives, so be sure to follow their Facebook page for updates on the times and locations of their activities!
Note: Donations-in-kind are currently closed, but will reopen in Feb 2018!
Email: blessingsinabag@gmail.com
Website
Image credit: CDC Singapore
These days, refurnishing our homes means a quick trip to the nearest IKEA. But what do we do with our old furniture?
If you’re thinking of passing your old household items to the needy, the Pass-It-On project helps by putting up a ‘wish list’ of the things that needy families need. Aside from furniture, things like clothes, toys and baby food are also much appreciated.
Alternatively, you can choose to list an item you have, and the relevant organizations will contact you. All of this can be done on their website, so it’s super easy to get started!
Note: Some of the welfare organizations are willing to help you arrange your delivery. Please contact them to check beforehand!
Telephone: 85119160
Email: passiton@thehelphand.org
Website
Image credit: @foodbanksg
You can’t celebrate CNY without CNY snacks, and that includes things like seaweed crackers, pineapple tarts and bak kwa.
But there is such a thing as too much. If you don’t have room for any more calories after CNY, consider giving them to FoodBank. They accept all kinds of food, which their volunteers help to process and organize before passing them to more than 130 beneficiaries who distribute the food to the needy, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
So if you have any leftover food after the celebrations, don’t just let them expire! Drop them off at any of FoodBank’s 14 collection points, conveniently located all around the island.
Telephone: 6831 5395
Email: enquiries@foodbank.sg
Website
Image credit: @bb1823
Chances are, we’ll have extra ‘raw’ provisions lying around the house after CNY, including things like rice, bee hoon, oil and salt. If that’s the case, the volunteers at Willing Hearts will be more than happy to make good use of them.
This volunteer-run kitchen prepares thousands of meals for various beneficiaries throughout the island, and other services too, such as dental care and legal aid. It can get expensive, though, any supplies you provide would be a great help to them.
They have a recommended list of food items on their website, and donations can be made directly to their kitchen near Eunos.
Address: 11 Jalan Ubi Blk 6, #01-51 Kembangan – Chai Chee Community Hub Singapore 409074
Telephone: 6476 5822
Email: admin@willinghearts.org.sg
Website
Image adapted from: H&M
While you’re out looking for that CNY OOTD, why not drop off your old clothes at the nearest H&M?
In a bid to reduce textile wastage, the H&M has started a garment collection initiative. If your old clothes are still of quality, they’ll be resold and the proceeds given to charity. Otherwise, they’ll either be reprocessed into other products or recycled for their materials.
Image credit: H&M
What’s more, for every bag of 3 or more clothes that you drop off, you’ll receive a 15% discount off your next purchase. Every time they collect a kilogram of textiles, H&M also gives money to the Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
So if you want to help low income children, reduce wastage and look super hip while doing it, bring your out of fashion wears to H&M.
Telephone: 800 852 6099 (local freephone)
Email: customerservice.sg.en@hm.com
Website
Image credit: Uplift Project Singapore
Any woman will understand the importance of a good bra. Sadly, some women from poorer areas may not have access to such support. The Uplift Project aims to help these women. Uplift Project Singapore has regular collection drives, which you’ll get firsthand news of on their Facebook page.
Uplift Project doesn’t supply collected bras directly to individuals, choosing instead to work with established organisations such as Red Cross, YWCA, and Rotary, tapping on their expertise to maximise efficiency in getting bras to the needy.
Note: Collections are temporarily closed, but you can follow them on their Facebook page for updates!
Email: singapore@upliftbras.org
Website
Image credit: Babes Singapore
Babies grow up so fast, it’s almost a 100% guarantee that their old clothes won’t fit by the time the next CNY comes around.
Having baby clothes lying around and no plans to have another bundle of joy doesn’t mean it’s time to bin them! Instead, give your old baby clothes or items to Babes, an organisation that supports pregnant teenagers unable to support themselves.
The organization has a year-round collection policy, so just drop them an email to arrange a donation and follow their Facebook page for updates!
Telephone: 6664 8591
Email: hello@babes.org.sg
Website
Image credit: Dignity Mama Singapore
Selling a range of pre-loved books and assorted goods, the Dignity Mama Stall is run by challenged youths and their mothers. The books are of good quality and really cheap too, going for as low as a dollar!
All three Dignity Mama Stalls are located in hospitals, giving challenged youths a safe environment to learn and work in. Plus, their mothers can work whilst keeping an eye on them too.
Image credit: Dignity Mama Singapore
Aside from patronizing the shops, you can support them by bringing over any unwanted books in English or Chinese. Just drop them a message on their website so their staff will know when to expect you.
While Dignity Mama does have an online shop too, but there’s a secret only their regular customers will know: you can only get their home baked muffins at their stalls!
NUH Medical Centre
Address: 1 Lower Kent Ridge Rd #01-39 One@KentRidge, Singapore 119082
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 10.30AM-8PM | Sat: 10.30AM-2.30PM
Dignity Kitchen
Address: Blk 267 Serangoon Ave 3, #02-02, Singapore 550267
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat: 8AM-3.30PM
Ng Teng Fong Hospital
Address: 1 Jurong East St 21 Tower A NTFH Clinics #02-10 Singapore 609606
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri: 10AM-9PM | Sat: 10AM-6PM
Image credit: @asdsingapore
If you’re the proud owner of your own dog and have extra supplies lying around, be sure to bring them over to Action for Singapore Dogs. This local non-profit organization aims to help stray and abandoned dogs in Singapore, and your contribution will help them support these poor animals.
Simply drop them an email or call them to arrange a donation. Check out their Instagram too, for cute pictures of cuddly canines.
Telephone: 6100 2737
Email: info@asdsingapore.com
Website
Image credit: @bobbytanbt
If you have things like decades-old keyboards and dust covered radios in your storeroom, it might be time to pass these old electronics to the Metta Welfare Association. They are currently running a green charity drive, and your items will be given to recycling firms in exchange for funds and food.
They are collecting textiles too, so if you have any old shirts or bags lying around, bring them along .
Note: Remember to wipe your devices clean of all data before donation for privacy reasons such as passwords and bank account details..
Address: Metta Building, 32 Simei Street 1, Singapore(529950)
Telephone: 6580 4688
Email: mwa@metta.org.sg
Website
Spring cleaning always leaves us with items that, although still in good condition, might simply be taking up too much space. Passing them on to someone who needs them is a great way to give your belongings a new purpose whilst decluttering your own home.
Of course, spring cleaning itself can still be a chore. Luckily, Caltex is offering you a chance to get someone else to do it for you.
When you stop at one of Caltex‘s petrol kiosks and spend $50 or more on your Plus! Card, you will receive a ‘fortune cookie’. These cookies contain a whole bunch of prizes, including spring cleaning service vouchers from Amahs on Wheels!
If you win one of these prizes, not only will you get to sit back while your house gets cleaned, the cleaning staff will even bring your unwanted items to relevant charity organizations on your behalf.*
*items should be limited to small items like clothes and books
Other prizes you might win in these fortune cookies include $5 off Fragrance Bak Kwa, $88 Foodpanda delivery coupons, and $388 honestbee grocery coupons.
So if you want to help yourself have a fuss-free CNY and help others at the same time, stop by Caltex the next time you’re low on fuel. You’ll earn plenty of LinkPoints there too, so there’s nothing to lose!
This post was brought to you by Caltex.
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