Where to find shelters that accept donations in your area

The fastest way to find a shelter near you is to call 211 (available in most of the United States) and ask which shelters in your city or county accept donations. The person who answers can tell you what each shelter needs most right now — some are short on winter coats, others need hygiene supplies or food — and whether they prefer cash, goods, or both.

Your local housing authority or homeless services department also maintains a list of active shelters and their donation policies. Search "[your city] homeless services" or "[your county] housing authority" online, or call the main city or county number and ask to be transferred. Many shelter websites list donation needs directly, including links to Amazon wishlists or supply lists.

Faith-based organizations — churches, synagogues, mosques, temples — often run shelters or know which ones operate nearby and what they need. If you belong to a congregation, ask your clergy or volunteer coordinator. If not, searching "[your city] faith-based homeless services" or "[your neighborhood] religious organizations" will show you who operates in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 211 to learn which shelters operate near you and what specific items or donations they need most right now.
  • Most shelters prefer cash donations or specific items from their wishlist rather than random goods, because they can direct money to what residents actually lack.
  • Your local housing authority, city government website, and shelter websites themselves list current donation needs and drop-off locations.
  • Some shelters do not accept walk-in donations; calling ahead prevents wasted trips and ensures your donation reaches people who need it.
  • Donating through established shelters is safer and more effective than giving directly to individuals on the street, because shelters can connect people to services beyond when ready survival.

What shelters actually need versus what people usually donate

Shelters receive far more clothing than they can use and far less of what residents actually need. Socks, underwear, toiletries (especially deodorant, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene products), and blankets are chronically short. Cash is almost always the most useful donation because shelter staff can buy exactly what is needed that week — if three residents just arrived with no shoes, cash buys shoes; if the shower is broken, cash pays the repair.

Before you donate, ask the shelter directly what they need. Many shelters have a wishlist on Amazon or their website, or they will tell you over the phone. Donating what they request means your gift actually helps rather than sitting in a storage room. Some shelters cannot accept certain items for health or safety reasons — used mattresses, for example, or opened food — so checking first prevents your donation from being thrown away.

Gift cards to grocery stores or pharmacies are useful because residents can buy what they personally need. Some shelters also accept donations of bus passes, phone cards, or work clothes, which help people move toward housing or employment. Ask whether the shelter has a specific program — job training, mental health services, substance use treatment — and whether donations can support that work.

How to donate money directly to a shelter

Most shelters accept donations through their website, by mail, or by phone. Search the shelter's name plus "donate" to find their giving page, which usually shows whether they accept one-time gifts, monthly giving, or both. Some shelters are part of larger nonprofits (like the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities), so you may donate through the parent organization's website.

If you cannot find a donation page, call the shelter and ask how they prefer to receive money. Some accept checks mailed to their address, others take credit card donations by phone, and some use platforms like PayPal or Venmo. Ask whether your donation is tax-deductible — most shelters are registered nonprofits, so donations may reduce your taxes, but you need their tax ID number (EIN) to claim it.

When you donate, you can usually specify what the money should support — general operations, a specific program like job training, or a particular need like winter supplies. If you want to know how your money was used, ask the shelter whether they send donor reports or updates. Larger shelters often publish annual reports showing where donations go.

Donating goods: what works and what does not

If you want to donate items rather than money, stick to new or gently used goods and call the shelter first to confirm they accept what you have. Socks and underwear should be new (most shelters will not accept used underwear for hygiene reasons). Blankets, coats, and shoes can be gently used if they are clean and in working condition. Never donate stained, torn, or broken items — shelters do not have the staff to sort through damaged goods, and residents deserve dignity.

Toiletries must be unopened and unexpired. Toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, soap, and feminine hygiene products are always needed. Avoid donating makeup or perfume unless the shelter specifically requests it. For food donations, ask first — many shelters cannot accept opened or homemade food for safety reasons, but they may accept sealed, shelf-stable items like canned goods, granola bars, or peanut butter.

Some shelters organize donation drives or have drop-off locations. Others ask that you call before arriving so staff can direct you to the right entrance and make sure someone is available to receive your donation. A few shelters do not accept walk-in donations at all and require you to coordinate through their website or by phone. Calling ahead takes five minutes and ensures your donation actually reaches the shelter.

Donating through workplace, school, or community groups

Many employers, schools, and community organizations organize shelter donation drives. Ask your HR department, school office, or community center whether they have a partnership with a local shelter. Coordinated donations are often more efficient because the shelter knows what is coming and can plan around it.

If your workplace or school does not have a shelter partnership, you can suggest one. Contact a local shelter and ask whether they would welcome a donation drive — most will provide a wishlist and may send someone to speak to your group about their work. Organizing a group donation also makes it easier for people who want to help but are not sure how to start.

Faith communities, neighborhood associations, and volunteer networks often coordinate regular donations. If you belong to any of these groups, ask whether they support a shelter. If not, you can propose it at a meeting or to leadership.

Understanding what happens to your donation

When you donate money to a shelter, it pays for operations: staff salaries, utilities, food, bedding, and programs like job training or mental health counseling. Shelters are chronically underfunded, so donations often fill gaps that government funding does not cover. A donation of $50 might pay for a week of toiletries for one resident; $500 might fund a job training workshop for ten people.

When you donate goods, shelter staff sort and distribute them to residents based on need and size. A coat you donate might go to someone who arrived with nothing; socks go into a bin where residents can take what they need. Some shelters also use donations to stock a "closet" where residents can choose items as they prepare to move into housing.

Not every donation reaches a resident directly. Some money pays for the shelter building itself, for case managers who help people find housing, or for transportation to job interviews. These costs are invisible but essential — a person cannot move into housing without help navigating the system, and a shelter cannot operate without a roof. Asking the shelter how donations are used helps you understand the full picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I donate used clothing or does it have to be new?

Gently used clothing is usually acceptable — coats, pants, and shoes in good condition are welcome. However, underwear and socks should be new for hygiene reasons. Always call the shelter first to ask what condition they require, and never donate stained, torn, or broken items. Shelters do not have staff to sort through damaged goods.

What if I want to donate but do not have money or goods?

Many shelters need volunteers. Call and ask whether they accept volunteers for meal service, sorting donations, or administrative work. Some shelters also welcome donations of professional services — if you are a doctor, lawyer, or accountant, ask whether they need pro bono help. Volunteering your time is a valuable donation.

Is it better to give money to a shelter or directly to a homeless person on the street?

Shelters can connect people to housing, job training, mental health care, and other services that address the root causes of homelessness. Direct giving helps someone survive today but does not change their situation. Donating to shelters is more effective long-term, though both matter. If you give directly to someone, you are not doing anything wrong — just know that shelter donations have broader impact.

How do I know if a shelter is legitimate and uses donations responsibly?

Check whether the shelter is registered as a nonprofit by searching the IRS tax-exempt organization database (search.irs.gov). Ask the shelter for their annual report or financial statements — legitimate nonprofits make these public. You can also search the shelter's name on Charity Navigator or GuideStar to see ratings and financial information. Call 211 and ask whether they recommend the shelter.

Can I donate items to a shelter if I do not live in that city?

Yes. You can mail donations or send money from anywhere. If you want to mail goods, call the shelter first to ask what they need and where to send it — some shelters have a mailing address different from their physical location. Include a note with your name and contact information if you want the shelter to acknowledge your donation.