Al's Outreach Outtakes

I regularly receive phone calls and emails regarding donations. People want to know what we will and will not accept. I thought I could put together a set of guidelines that you could refer to when you have something you are considering donating.
 
Since we are a Food Closet, let’s start there. The question I receive every year around this time is if we will accept produce from gardens. Absolutely! I know many, many of you have too many zucchinis and soon tomatoes. We will gladly take them. When feeding 120 families each week, you can never have too many!
 
We will also accept other non-perishable items like canned or dry goods as long as they are sealed in the original packaging. They also need to be within the “pull dates” and not damaged, dented, rusted, crushed, etc. (You might be surprised at some of the items we receive.) The message I try to impress upon people is that if you wouldn’t eat it, why do you think someone else wants to?
 
Perishable items are a little trickier. Here we need to be concerned about temperature control at all times. The last thing we want to do is provide someone food that contains some form of bacteria and they end up getting sick. Generally, frozen items, that have remained frozen solid the entire time are OK. Refrigerated goods, probably not. (See temperature control statement above.) Again, all must be in sealed, original packaging. Anything that is open, torn, partially used, etc. we cannot accept.

All food donations are gladly accepted during our normal hours of operation.
 

So what about non-food items like clothes and furniture? The general answer is no, we do not accept those. I do, however, recommend furniture donations to places like Community Warehouse, Habitat for Humanity Restore, and Union Gospel Mission’s Women’s Life Change Thrift Store. Clothing I again recommend the Women’s Center or the Beaverton School District’s Clothes Closet.  With all of these, call first to make certain they will accept the items as they too have restrictions.
 

I truly appreciate when you think of others. If uncertain, please do not hesitate to call or email me. I am happy to try and point you in the right direction.