How to Host a Swap Party

Where to Send Leftover Goods

After the party, make sure the remains of the day go to a good home.

To donate clothing and housewares:

• Goodwill: Most Goodwill branches will pick up furniture or large bags of clothing. Contact your local Goodwill to find out whether pickup service is available in your area (800-664-577), or go to goodwill.org.
• The Salvation Army: Call 800-728-7825 or go to satruck.org to find a local branch or to see if there is pickup service in your area.
• Dress for Success: This organization accepts women’s interview-appropriate attire. Drop off items at one of its locations (in 46 states), or mail donations. To find a location near you, go to dressforsuccess.org.

To donate children’s items:

• Newborns in Need: Donate gently used items, such as small toys, rattles, blankets, and clothing. Go to newbornsinneed.org for locations.
• Project Night Night: Send “like new” blankets, books, and stuffed animals to children living in homeless shelters. Go to projectnightnight.org for details.

To donate books, CDs, or DVDs:

• Books for Soldiers: Ship a care package of books, CDs, and DVDs to a soldier. Sign up at booksforsoldiers.com.
• Reader to Reader: Stock needy school libraries with books. Go to readertoreader.org for details.

To swap items online:

• For clothing and accessories: rehashclothes.com, swapstyle.com.
• For children’s items: handmedowns.com, thebabychain.com.
• For books, DVDS, CDs, and video games: bookins.com, chancexchange.com, goozex.com, swaptree.com.
• For anything and everything: freecycle.org, neighborrow.com, titletrader.com.