Hari Raya 2021: 9 Places to Donate Clothes, Furniture in Singapore

You’ve probably been busy these couple of weeks fervently decluttering (KonMari, anyone?), cleaning and even redecorating your home for Hari Raya 2021.

Whether you’re just doing some light touch-ups or going all out despite the reduced number of visitors you can receive, decluttering is always a good idea. When you regularly make the effort to reorganise your stuff, it makes the task at hand much easier each time.

Sprucing up your home also means getting rid of the old things that you may not need anymore. But wait! Before you junk an item that just looks old but still has a lot of life left in it, consider donating it instead. This way, you can achieve your decluttering goals, waste less, and do good at the same time this Hari Raya Season.

Here are nine places you can donate your clothes and furniture in Singapore:

Where to Donate Clothes in Singapore?

Short of listing each piece on Carousell for $0, where can you donate your clothes in Singapore? These two places accept apparel, be it to sell in a thrift shop for charity or for textile recycling.

New2U Thrift Shop by SCWO

It may sound like a heartland fashion brand, but New2U, as its name suggests, is a thrift shop that has been in operation since 2000. This initiative is managed by the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO) and run entirely by volunteers.

You can donate your pre-loved clothing and household items there, among others. Collected items will be sold in their thrift shop (there’s an online shop now as well, where you can shop by product or condition). Prices start from $1 and proceeds from the sale will go towards various SCWO initiatives and Star Shelter, where women and their children who are victims of family violence can seek refuge.

• New2U Address: 96 Waterloo Street, Singapore 187967
• New2U Contact: new2u@scwo.org.sg or +65 6837 0611
• New2U Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 10.30 am to 2.30 pm; Last Sunday of every month, 11 am to 2 pm

Greensquare

At Greensquare, your unwanted clothes get recycled for free. The aim of the organisation is to promote awareness of the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle). One of the great things about this avenue for clothes donation is that there are multiple drop-off points islandwide, from Chai Chee to One-North, and even at clothing retail stores.

You can also arrange for Greensquare to collect the clothes from your doorstep, if you have at least 15kg of textiles to recycle. Other than clean clothes, you can also send them your clean household linen, shoes and accessories such as belts and bags.

• Greensquare Address: Multiple locations.
• Greensquare Contact: Visit the website for more information or to fill up a “Contact Us” form.

Where to Donate Clothes, Furniture in Singapore?

Want to give away bulky furniture as well but not sure to approach? Here are some places that will accept both your pre-loved furniture and clothes, and more (think electronics, toys, etc).

Pass-It-On by The Helping Hand

Pass-It-On is a project managed by The Helping Hand, a Christian halfway house founded in 1987 to help in the rehabilitation of former drug addicts.

How Pass-It-On works: It’s an online portal that links the public to Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs). You can donate your item (i.e. furniture) and it will be added to a list, or you can scroll through the wish list to match your donation with a request.

• Pass-it-On Address: 819 Upper Serangoon Road, Singapore 534678    
• Pass-it-On Contact: passiton@thehelpinghand.org.sg or +65-85119160 (Ms. Gina Ang)
• Pass-it-On Contact Hours: Mondays to Fridays Only – 9am to 5pm, Except Public Holidays

Metta Welfare Association

Metta, which means “loving kindness” in the Pali language, is a registered Buddhist society that is endorsed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education. It is also a member of the National Council of Social Service, Singapore Hospice Council and the Singapore Disability Sports Council.

You can make donations-in-kind, which includes new furniture (maybe your wrongly-delivered Taobao purchase) and wearable and usable clothing. However, donations will only be accepted based on the current needs of Metta, in order to reduce wastage.

Note: Furniture is not needed at the moment. To donate wearable and usable clothing, ensure all items are placed in bags (tied up and deposited into the recycle bins located at B1, Lift Lobby).

• Metta Address: Metta Building, 32 Simei Street 1, Singapore 529950.
• Metta Opening Hours: Weekdays: 7.30 am to 5.30 pm; weekends: 8.30 am to 4.00 pm
• Metta Contact: 65804688 or events@metta.org.sg

MINDS Shop

MINDS, a social enterprise, is part of the MINDS Employment Development Centres, in which adults with intellectual disabilities receive vocational training. MINDS also runs the MINDS Shop, which has four outlets across Singapore. All sales proceeds go towards the MINDS trainees as allowance.

To give donations-in-kind, the item should be clean and in working condition. Some of the recommended items include furniture, apparel and even musical instruments. These donated items will then go towards the daily operations of the centres, schools and residential home, or may be retailed at a MINDS Shop.

MINDS Shop @ Margaret

• Address: 800 Margaret Drive, Singapore 149310
• Contact:  6473 1148 or donation@minds.org.sg (bulky items)
• Opening Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday 10.00am to 3.00pm (Closed on PH)

MINDS Shop @ Woodlands

• Address: 30 Woodlands Ring Road, Singapore 737883
• Contact: 6366 3966 or donation@minds.org.sg (bulky items)
• Opening Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 10.00am to 3.00pm (Closed on PH)

The Salvation Army

Everyone is familiar with The Salvation Army, with centres located islandwide. Donations-in-kind can be made to its booths (usually open from as early as 7am), and new as well as pre-loved items are accepted. This includes clothing, furniture, big appliances and even pianos (there is a chargeable fee payable to a professional piano mover).

Do check ahead that The Salvation Army is still accepting donations (it may already be inundated as it is probably the most well-known drop-off point for your pre-loved wares). For your bulky furniture, it would also be a nice gesture to contribute $60 (optional) for every collection.

• Salvation Army Address: Check the website for the multiple donation centres.
• Salvation Army Website: www.salvationarmy.org/singapore/dik_fts
• Salvation Army Contact: For donations of bulky items, email: donor@SMM.salvationarmy.org with a brief description of the items you wish to donate, your collection address and contact number.

Where to Give Away Anything Under The Sun, Including Furniture And Clothes

Anyone who has experience with multiple spontaneous decluttering sessions is that the number of random knick-knacks is tough to donate (who needs your random keychain or gardening shovel?). For this, you can look to avenues that accept anything under the sun, as long as you can find a taker for them.

Facebook Groups

Believe it or not, you can join a Facebook group (or more) to find happy owners for your pre-loved items. While giving away your old clothes may be easier (do check for tears and stains beforehand — the clothes should still be in wearable condition and not rags), there are some volunteer drivers who offer to transport bulky furniture to the recipient’s home.

• Blessing items for low income families!
  This is a private Facebook group, but you can request to join. As always, do follow the rules in the description before posting. Recent posts include ladies’ shoes, office furniture and even a washing machine/dryer.
• (SG)Blessing of items for low income Families(Organization: Wat Natawee SG) 
  If you’re more comfortable posting in a public Facebook group, this page, which is run by the Buddhist Wat Natawee Temple, also seeks to connect blessers with needy recipients.
• Blessings for MUSLIM NEEDY (Singapore)
  The items you bless in this private Facebook group (you can send in a request to join) will go to Muslim single parents or needy persons. The group also encourages existing members to invite their needy Muslim brothers and sisters to join the group to receive blessings.
• sgfreecycle
  Sometimes, we just want the item to be put to good use in order to reduce waste. If you’re not fussed about who the item goes to (as long as it is not going to the dumpster), this group is for you.

Mobile Apps

There are even mobile apps out there that connect givers with takers, prioritising listings closest to you. For example, on free sharing app OLIO, you can find listings of all sorts of items, and there is a chat function so you can liaise with the taker. There’s also the GoodHood.SG app, which aims to connect verified neighbours in a bid to “share good stuff”.

WhatsApp, Telegram Groups

Chat groups have become an integral part of network marketing, as well as ways to donate your items to people who need them. Some of these chat groups are sorted by region, so that it is easier for ‘blessers’ and recipients to connect.

Here are some freegan* WhatsApp/Telegram chat groups to consider:

• For freegans living in the East of Singapore
• For freegans living in the Central Region of Singapore
• For freegans living in the North-East of Singapore
• Free items around the island (bot-run)

*A freegan is someone aims to have minimal participation in consumerism. This group of people also seeks to help the environment by reducing waste.

Alternatively, if you’re living in a relatively new BTO flat or condo development, your estate is likely to have an estate group chat. While neighbours regularly share feedback/grouses or even useful renovation tips there, it’s also an avenue to pass on stuff that you don’t need anymore (maybe your Taobao furniture purchase was of the wrong colour or dimensions; or you have maternity/baby clothes to bless the young mothers in your estate).

All Ready for Hari Raya 2021?

Hari Raya Puasa is just around the corner, and it is a time for celebration. However, the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan is also a time of forgiveness and to give back to the poor and needy.

In addition to donating your items to the above organisations, why not go the extra mile? You can also take part in various volunteer initiatives.

For example, you can volunteer with Metta through befriending activities, help out at fundraising events, do admin and more. There are also volunteer opportunities through the Salvation Army such as mentoring, sorting of donations and more, as well as via the SCWO.

More FAQ On Decluttering Your Home

Who Is Marie Kondo and What is The KonMari Method?

Marie Kondo is a Japanese tidying expert who has appeared on TV. According to her official website, the KonMari Method “encourages tidying by category” and “not by location”, keeping only thing that “speak to the heart” and “spark joy.”

How to Begin Decluttering?

Start with the larger items first, in a place that will make the most difference. This helps to encourage you, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. Make it a regular habit, and jot down a plan for each decluttering session.

How to Declutter Your Wardrobe?

Take note of the clothes that you often wear, and those at the back of the wardrobe. If something hasn’t been worn for a while (and you don’t need it for a special occasion) or it hasn’t fit right for ages, put it in a “to donate” box.

Why Does Decluttering Feel So Good?

Having too much clutter in the house can cause an unconscious mental burden. Getting rid of unneeded stuff helps take this load off your mind — plus, it also feels good to know that you’ve accomplished something!

How to Decide What to Throw Away When Decluttering?

Ask yourself if the item is critical, still in good condition, has great monetary or sentimental value, and if you use it regularly. As a general rule of thumb, discard the items that have already no use left (if they’re already spoilt or torn); you can donate or regift other things that still have use or are new but unwanted.

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This article was written by Mary Wu, who hopes to share what she’s learnt from her home-buying and renovation journey with PropertyGuru readers. When she’s not writing, she’s usually baking up a storm or checking out a new cafe in town.