The end of the year is a good time to do a cleanout of everything from clothes and furniture you’re no longer using, to books, school and office supplies,  electronics, appliances, and even gardening related items. As you know, I’ve written about where to donate furniture and clothes in the past, but recently, in my clean out craze, I’ve made new discoveries that will enable you to get rid of stuff and do good at the same time, organizations that specialize in niche categories.

Thanks to a friend I heard about the Education Fund. This was the destination for my old metal filing cabinet and dual purpose school and office supplies ranging from sharpies and paper clips to scotch tape, folders, large envelopes and clips (my former assistant bought everything in quantity!).

The Education Fund

Do you, your company or where you work have extra office and/or school supplies you don’t use? Here’s a good home for them, the Education Fund. The organization collects surplus inventory and supplies from individuals and the business community and makes them available for free to public school teachers throughout Miami-Dade County. Since its inception in 1993, the Center has hosted more than 30,000 teacher visits and has made more than $18 million in donated goods available.  All you need to do is fill out an online form and they’ll get in touch with you. They do pickup too.

Another find, when I was checking my blogpost on botanical gardens in South Florida, Mounts Botanical Gardens accepts all garden related items you want to discard and will even do pickuo in a selective basis.

Mounts Botanical Garden

With a mission to “inspire and educate through nature” and a history spanning more than 40 years, Mounts Botanical is Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest botanical garden.  Items are sold in their thrift shop.

The Thrift Shop is open when the Nursery is open. They accept donations year round; items can be dropped off at the Nursery on Thursdays, from 9 am to 2:30 pm. If there  are large items requiring pickup,  call their office at 561-233-1757 to discuss or write mountsinfo@pbcgov.org.They accept almost all used or new items related to gardens, gardening and landscaping:

• Books
• Tools
• Bird Feeders and Bird Baths
• Benches and Tables
• Statuary
• Flower Pots
• Wheelbarrows
• Outdoor and Patio Furniture
• Planters and Racks
• Art and Pottery

And while you’re there you can pick up new additions for your garden. The nursery specializes in Florida natives, herbs, salvias, butterfly plants, ornamentals, ground covers, succulents, cactus, small trees and unusual shrubs.

What about where to donate books in Miami? Lots of places!

One of the most robust programs is Miami Book Fair/Miami Dade College. Here’s what they say followed by the link:

“Last year, we delivered approximately 3,500 books per week to more than 40 bookshelves throughout Miami-Dade County. These books are free for the taking by children and their caregivers. This year, we are significantly expanding our operation. Thanks to additional funding from The Children’s Trust, we can deliver 1,300 more books per week to 15 new bookshelves throughout the County. That’s an additional 68,250 books, for a grand total of 250,250 free books in children’s hands every year.” For details, click here.

Here’s a link to the other organizations where you can donate books in Miami and their mission:click here.

Best Buy recycles electronics, fitness and appliances. 

For electronics there are options to mail in or drop off at any store. Appliances must be picked up and there’s a charge. Note that limits apply on the number of electronics that can be dropped off per day per household. For all the details, click here.

And in case you missed my blogpost on furniture and clothing donations, click here.