Rather then making a pile of stuff to go to Goodwill that gets bigger and bigger on top of the dryer, I hang a heavy duty trash bag on a hook in the garage which is two steps farther than the laundry room. All donations go right into the bag. When its full, I toss it in the car (well, maybe not toss, it gets pretty heavy) and take it to the charity thrift store. It really helps to round up clutter as I have a designated place for it without thinking about where to put it or getting a box to put it in.
I donate only to St. Vincent De Paul, because they don't charge so much for items that are totally free to them, and they actually help people.
By
12/29/2004
Another great idea...be sure to make an itemized list as you put items in the pile of goodies to go to Goodwill/Salvation Army. That way when tax season rolls around you are prepared for those itemized deductions. I placed a small box designated just for charities in my mudroom (1/2 bath right at the back door) and put a steno pad with it...so that as things go in ...I write down exactly what it was. Also, as I return the box...I place my reiept in an envelope marked "taxes/charites" in a drawer in the same room at the same time I replace my box.