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Pass It On ... Wisely!
Send your donations, expired consignments, and unsold merchandise to where they will do some good.

Resalers just can't STAND to let perfectly-good things go to waste. Even when they aren't saleable, there's still a lot of use left in so many things we come across. But there's a problem. Our local charities have a limit on what they can handle, and there are things that simply cannot be passed on with enough efficiency by them. So what do you do? Look for sources which need what you have to give.
Yes, it's a little more trouble than bundling everything up willy-nilly, but isn't our world worth it?

What do YOU want to Pass On... Wisely?

Clothing: Clothes that can be worn to work are always needed. Some web sites to steer you in the right direction: The Women's Alliance and Dress for Success. For mens' suits, see Career Gear. Mastectomy bras, swim wear, and other specialty clothing items are needed by breast cancer survivors who often cannot afford these costly items. Contact your local chapter of the American Cancer Society for information. 
Shoes: Wearable, just not terribly saleable, shoes? Soles4Souls distributes them.
Furs: Personally, I think this is a little weird, but The Humane Society gives furs to animals.

Electronic Goods: Got computers, printers, back-up drives, scanners, digital cameras, fax machines, photo copiers, and multi-media equipment? Try asking a teacher or principal if a local school can use them. If possible, it's nice to send someone over to the school who can set it up. If you cannot find a local group (remember, transportation can add to the cost of recycling...and of course to the cost to the environment!) check the EPA's eCycling Links.
Cell phones: Donate them to people who may need 911. To find a local group, check Charity Guide's suggestions.

Books: Your local library probably has a Friends of the Library Book Store or Sale. Boys and Girls Clubs often have libraries, if you have suitable books. Check Adopt-a-Library for libraries further afield. By donating coloring books to local emergency rooms, you can make a difference to a frightened child (be a sport and include crayons).

Eyeglasses: Most Lions' Clubs collect glasses of any prescription for redistribution. New Eyes for the Needy does, as well.

Fixtures, equipment, and so on: Try FreeCycle, whose motto is "Changing the World one Gift at a Time". They utilize Yahoo Groups to swap within your community. Join, and post what you have to give away. Actually, FreeCycle allows most anything to be given away, not just furniture, appliances, and so on. A similar organization is FreeSharing. A great way to find an individual who needs just exactly what you have, and also, to look for something you might need. No selling, just gifting.

Household Linens: Towels and sheets can be used by almost any homeless shelter. If they are more tattered, try the animal shelter, which always needs bedding material.

Bridal gowns and accessories: If your town doesn't have a Making Memories event, it should. See Brides Against Breast Cancer.  Heavenly Angels in Need transforms donated wedding and formal dresses into burial gowns and angel wraps for infants of families who do not have anything in which to bury their child. Donations can be mailed.
Prom dresses and accessories: Princess Project has their own and over two dozen other groups, including Glass Slipper,  listed, as well as tips on starting your own prom dress giveaway. 
Another source: Inside the Dream is an organization that helps prom-goers. They're in Ontario, but on their site they have listings of sister organizations throughout Canada and the US
Severely outdated gowns can possibly be used or re-worked into theatrical costumes by your local amateur theater groups.

Suitcases, duffel bags, backpacks: Check local foster care agencies. A nice suitcase for his or her possessions can give a foster child a little more pride and self-confidence.

Wire hangers: As resalers, we get a lot of these. If your local dry-cleaner won't take them, here's a conscious-raising and word-of-mouth idea for your clientele: Go to Make Stuff for ideas on how to use them up...great suggestions that you could make into a customer service brochure for your clientele. Another alternative is to bundle them prettily with curling ribbon and your business card as a gift to buyers or an incentive to potential consignors.

What's my Ecological Footprint? A thought-provoking interactive quiz
How to Recycle Practically Anything has a lot of info...like what to do with old carpeting
SCARCE collects everything from broken crayons to books. Great example of what people-power can do on a local scale!