Life
Here's Where You Can Donate All Of Those Maternity Clothes Taking Over Your Closet
Let’s be real — maternity clothes are expensive AF. I’ve never heard a pregnant friend say she was excited about going maternity clothes shopping, except for maybe picking out a dress for a baby shower. And you can’t really just “wing it,” with regular clothes forever, because using a hair tie around the button of your jeans will only last so long. If you’re done having babies and want to do some good for women who need a bit of help, you may be wondering, "Where can I donate maternity clothes?" Since public nudity isn’t legal yet, it's a big deal, plus, it's always a good, fun thing to help others. The tax write off isn't so bad, either, but it's definitely not the only reason to donate — think of how expensive those maternity clothes are and how hard it is for women to justify buying them when they have such limited wear?
There are many different places to choose from when deciding where to donate your maternity clothes, and this is by no means a definitive list. The following are a sampling of many different organizations across the United States that are dedicated to helping others, including pregnant mamas in need. As always, a great place to start is a local homeless shelter near you — and if you live in the city or near a major one, they aren't that hard to find.
United Way
For 31 years, the United Way has had the "211" program, where they provide "information and referral" services to help families who are going through difficult times get back on their feet. There is one in each state, and they have a list of drop-off sites for donations. According to the website, by the end of 2015, they've helped more than 7.9 million contacts.
Goodwill
Goodwill not only provides goods and clothing for super cheap, but it creates jobs for folks who need them by training them to work in their facilities. In fact, according to the Goodwill website, this year, "your donated stuff has helped get 215,159 people back to work." So not only are you helping moms in need get maternity clothing on the cheap, but you're helping create jobs; it's a win-win. There are Goodwills in every state, so all you have to do is visit their website, enter your zip code, and they'll tell you where the closest drop-off location is.
First Option Care
First Option Care is a pregnancy crisis center that helps women who become pregnant receive the medical attention they need and to educate them on all of their options now that they're pregnant. They offer "Mommy and Daddy Dollars" to participants of their program so they can "shop" in the "Moms & Babies Room," where they can purchase items like baby and maternity clothes. First Option Care is all over the Unites States, so check their website for where you can donate depending on your location.
Women's Shelters
Unfortunately, there are many women in abusive relationships, and many of them feel like they can't leave because they're pregnant and have nowhere to go, or money to support themselves or the baby. But if they do get up the courage, many of them go to their local women's shelter. Women's shelters provide relief, support, and shelter for women escaping abuse, women who have fallen on hard times, and women who have nowhere safe to go. Find your local domestic women's shelter at domesticshelters.org and donate maternity clothes there. Those women need all the help they can get after getting out of horrible situations.
Your Freeloading Friends
That’s right. I said it. I am hoping beyond hope my friends who have already had babies would be willing to lend me some of their maternity items, and I most certainly plan to pay it forward, even if it means giving them back their clothes if they have another baby. In fact, there was basically a maternity clothing swap at my old corporate job, since all the different ladies seemed to be in a constant state of getting pregnant. So I’m not a horrible person — there are more people out there like me.
Again, this is by no means a definitive list — thankfully, there are a lot of places all over to donate your maternity clothes. For as short of an amount of time (in the grand scheme of things) that you have to wear maternity clothes, it really sucks they are so expensive. And sometimes it comes to a certain point where you kinda have to wear them. If you’re not planning on trying to recoup some of your money you spent on them for your pregnancy/pregnancies, donating them to women less fortunate is a good way to bring some good juju into your life. It feels good to do good, and boy does the world need more feel good vibes and karma right now.
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