Looking for ways to give back to society? Donating your gently used goods to charity is a great way to improve the lives of others while minimising waste! Here's where to donate clothes, books and food in Singapore.
Spring cleaning and thinking about where to donate clothes, furniture, toys, books and household goods to somebody more in need? The old adage “it’s better to give than to receive” could not be more relevant here in Singapore, where many of us have more than we need. Donating your pre-loved (and gently used) items is a great way to give back while minimising waste. Read on to find out about charities to donate to in Singapore, then round up the kids and start sorting!
Charities to donate to in Singapore
1. Dignity Mama: Donate books
Dignity Mama aims to enable and empower young adults with disabilities by providing them with vocational opportunities. Its micro-enterprise model provides caregivers and differently-abled individuals with the ability to start small businesses through a steady supply of zero-cost products like second-hand books. If you’re like me and have piles of well-loved books at home and want to make space, they accept children’s books, comics, magazines, fiction, and non-fiction books!
Where to donate:
Dignity Mama @ NUH, 1 Lower Kent Ridge Road #01-39, One@KentRidge, Singapore 119082; Mon – Fri 10.30am to 8pm
Dignity Mama @ NG TENG FONG, 1 Jurong East St 21 Tower A NTFGH Clinics #02-10, Singapore 609606; Mon – Sat 10am to 6pm
Take a look at the site for specifics on what not to donate!
2. It’sRainingRaincoats: Donate clothes, appliances and more to migrant workers
ItsRainingRaincoats (IRR) is an initiative that aims to improve the lives of migrant workers in Singapore and runs a variety of initiatives throughout the year to do just that. Alongside monetary donations, they also accept in-kind donations of various items, from clothing to luggage and electronics.
Where to donate: Various dropoff points across Singapore, each drop-off point has a person in charge to contact. Inform them of what items you’re donating and they will coordinate a good time and date to drop by! For more info on specific items to donate, click here.
3. The Humanitarian Organisation of Migrant Economics (HOME): Donate to their fundraising campaigns
The Humanitarian Organisation of Migrant Economics (HOME) is an anti-trafficking body that aims to celebrate and protect a migrant worker’s dignity and rights. With about 1.4 million migrant workers in Singapore, HOME has helped countless migrants, some of whom have been victims of human trafficking or forced labour. HOME also provides shelter, health screenings, and a variety of vocational courses through HOME Academy.
Where to donate: Make monetary contributions to their fundraising campaign, every contribution counts no matter the amount!
4. Pass-It-On: Donate appliances, furniture, basic necessities and more
Pass-It-On is a non-profit project started by Central Singapore CDC and managed by the Helping Hand. It seeks to act as a web platform for the distribution of unwanted yet useful items like medical aids and furniture. It connects the public to Voluntary Welfare Organizations (VWOs), which in turn, can request items on the “Wish List”.
Where to donate: You can help pay for the item to be delivered directly to the needy or request for the VWO to pay for the delivery and collect the item from you. Certain VWOs allow you to deliver smaller items yourself as well but make sure to check with them first. For more information, check their FAQ section.
5. The Food Bank Singapore: Donate food
The Food Bank is a place for companies and people to deposit or donate food for those in need. Founded by two passionate people with a determination to fight hunger and reduce food wastage, Food Bank supplies its beneficiaries with food items via its network of partners, including voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs), soup kitchens, and charities in Singapore.
Where to donate: Make a deposit at one of the 80 donation boxes scattered around the island that’ve been adopted by schools, offices, malls, and condos. They accept unopened, unexpired dry or packaged food items with at least four weeks until expiry. You can also donate funds to help the organisation or pledge a meal for families and individuals who need food urgently.
6. MINDS Shop: Donate toys, household items, clothes, books, and more
The Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (MINDS) aims to empower persons with intellectual disabilities and help them participate as fully as possible in society. MINDS Shop Plus stocks a range of carefully selected furniture, clothes and collectables, and houseware. It also acts as a great avenue for the intellectually disabled to learn how to interact with customers.
Where to donate: You can pass your packed donation items to the staff or place them in the collection bin outside any of the four MINDS Shops during operating hours. Click here for more info on what you can donate.
7. Room to Read: Donate books
Room to Read started in Nepal and now has chapters in more than 20 countries around the world. Its programmes have benefited more than 23 million children so far, and the organisation hopes to promote literacy and gender equality in education.
Where to donate: The Singapore chapter of Room to Read hosts book swaps from time to time. Be sure to keep your pre-loved reads stacked so you’re ready to donate books when the time comes. Check out the Facebook page for event updates.
8. Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support: Donate money
In a society where teen mums can sometimes be marginalised, Babes Crisis Pregnancy Support lends a helping hand to pregnant teenagers (21 and below) who need support in making an informed decision when it comes to their pregnancy. Monetary donations will go to providing formula milk for babies, diapers, medical checkups, and skill workshops for young mothers.
Where to donate: Make monetary contributions online.
9. Salvation Army Singapore: Donate toys, household items, clothes, books and more
One of the more well-known charities in Singapore to donate to, the Salvation Army is great for hunting vintage knick-knacks and furniture. Committed to lending a helping hand to the underprivileged, there are programs to reach out to different aspects of the community like the elderly, families, and children in need of care and protection. Salvation Army donations are varied, and they take many items. To donate furniture or other bulky items, you can arrange to have it collected for a fee.
Where to donate: Locate the closest donation booth to you out of the 15 locations and check what you can donate here under the donation FAQ.
10. Cloop: Donate clothes (or recycle them at designated bins!)
Looking for a great place to donate or recycle clothes? What we love about Cloop is its transparency in sharing what actually happens to the clothes that have been sent to them for recycling or donation – and it’s all done right here in a clothes recycling facility in Singapore! The clothes donated to Cloop are inspected and sent back into circulation for the community to shop preloved through swap shops, thrift stores and even upcycling projects. The clothes and textiles sent to Cloop for recycling gets sorted in the local sorting facility and turned into multiple different products to ensure zero waste generated.
Where to donate: You can donate clean, good quality, great condition fashion items (including clothes, bags, shoes and accessories) to Cloop’s white Collection Boxes in Cloop HQ @ City Sprouts (Henderson) and Cloop Sorting Facility @ APSN Centre for Adults. You can drop off clean and dry (in reusable condition) textiles for recycling at Cloop’s yellow Textile Recycling Bins at over 470 locations islandwide.
11. Metta Welfare Association: Donate groceries, clothes, electronics, IT equipment and more
Metta Welfare Association has nine welfare centres providing residential and daily support, including activities, rehabilitation, respite care and education for special needs and elderly folk around Singapore.
Where to donate: Donate your items at Metta HQ, 32 Simei Street 1, Singapore 529950 – check their list of approved items before donating!
12. Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter (OSCAS): Donate food supplements, grooming and hygiene products for dogs
Love dogs and/or have a dog of your own? Oasis Second Chance Animal Shelter (OSCAS) is a registered charity in Singapore and non-profit dog shelter that rescues dogs from the streets. Around 100 Singapore Specials regard OSCAS as their home. Aside from financial contributions, the organisation also accepts in-kind donations, helping its dogs lead healthy and comfortable lives. Food supplements, grooming and hygiene products, and doggie accessories are what the furry friends and kennel caregivers wish for. Purchase items directly from its partner retailers and get them delivered to the shelter for free.
Where to donate: Donate suitable doggie items at Block R, The Animal Lodge, 59 Sungei Tengah Road, Singapore 699014 – check their list of approved items! Also, make sure to contact them with pictures of your items before donating.
13. Books Beyond Borders: Donate books
Books Beyond Borders is a social enterprise that collects secondhand books and sells them off. The generated profits, after deductions of business expenses and community donations, are channeled towards improving access to education in some of the most rural parts of Nepal. Too many books and not enough space? Don’t throw them out! Collect all the books that you don’t need anymore, check their conditions, and send photos to the organisation for donation assessment. You can refer to its Giving Guide for more detailed information on the donation procedure. If you prefer to donate monetarily, head over to its Give Asia page and pledge your support.
Where to donate: Contact them via their website chatbot or email with two to three pictures of the books, they offer free doorstep pickups for 20 or more book donations.
14. Blessings in a Bag (closed)
Blessings in a Bag is a community organisation powered by youth for youth, providing the necessary resources to help children and youth in Singapore grow into resilient, compassionate and emotionally intelligent individuals. It partners with social service groups to connect people with the needy, collecting donations and used goods for use in local community programs. Items can range from household products to furniture to educational toys. View its wish list for regular updates on what it’s looking for.
Top tips before donating to a charity in Singapore
- Donate meaningfully. When looking into charities to donate to, understand the organisation’s mission and the items most needed by recipients of donations.
- Donate appropriately. Before you give your things away, consider whether you’d purchase them at a second-hand store. Check items for wear and tear and make sure they’re still in usable or good condition. Otherwise, the donation centre may have to throw them away. That doesn’t sound like a big deal, but the cost of disposing of masses of unusable donated goods is a serious financial burden.
- Donate efficiently. Help make the volunteers’ jobs easier by taking a few extra minutes to organise and pack things in groups that go together.
Looking for more charities to donate to in Singapore? Check out these volunteering opportunities for adults and kid-friendly charities too!
