This week, the challenge is similar, but with a slightly different angle. This week I am asking you to consider donating art supplies - you know, those unused, no-longer-needed, excess, taking-up-space items that are preventing you from finding the stuff you really want to use! If you are anything like me, a regular purge of scrapbooking and other art-related supplies is a must. I try to find "good homes" for the items that no longer serve me. If you know another scrapbooker or knitter or mixed media artist who can use the goodies that are no longer serving you, that's awesome - a RAK (Random Act of Kindness) toward that person is one way to donate art supplies.
Another is to consider donating them to places such as daycare centers, schools, hospitals, retirement centers, nursing homes, homeless shelters, art therapy centers and the like. These institutions generally run on limited budgets and are always grateful for supplies to keep their students, patients, and clients happy and engaged. Check locally around you - likely there are lots of places that would be grateful for your donation.
Still stumped? A quick google search will net you dozens of places to send those supplies. Two that I found today that captured my imagination:
Handyhandsreflections.org accepts donations of scrapbooking supplies which they use to create and donate personalized memory albums for loved ones experiencing end of life. They have a few testimonials of the types of albums and situations that they have provided for.
Scrappdx.org is a "thrift shop" for artists, crafters, teachers, parents and DIY-ers. Their mission is to facilitate creative reuse of crafting materials of all kinds. They accept donations and then resell the items at very low prices to those who use them in crafting. In doing so, they keep tons of "stuff" from ending up in landfills. Check out their seriously cool website!
While these are U.S. based organizations, I'm sure my international readers can find similar organizations closer to home. Finding a charity that you feel good about helping out can ease the discomfort of letting go of those scrapbooking supplies!
5 comments:
Great challenge . . . although I'm not sure that I'm in purge mode right now! :(
Just last week I filled a box and passed it on. Honestly, you over there seem so much better organised than we are here. Charities like the ones you mention are very thin on the ground. Every so often I even think about having a go at setting something up myself. I hate to see supplies going to waste!
There are no organisations here to pass craft stuff onto....I've just given some of mine direct to our local hospice.....our local school may get a few bits as well.
During my great purge in January, I discovered a "consignment shop" for crafting supplies in a nearby suburb. All the profits go to charity which makes it even better. I took an entire trunk load the first time, but have returned again since, and now keep a bag in my studio for items I want to donate. When it gets full, I drive over there.
I did this before I moved - gave a large box full to a friend who has links to a nursery and guides (girl scouts) and have started another box of bits.
Agreeing with others that it is much harder here in the UK to find this - used to hand it over to Children's Meeting cupboard or where I teach but that's changed too.
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