While it might be popular during the Christmas season and the New Year to get rid of all of our old and unwanted items, don’t forget that this is something we can and should be doing all year round! Your used items can often be extremely helpful for those who require a helping hand.
If there are items you’d prefer to sell rather than donate, you also have numerous apps that allow you to sell your second-hand items online, or of course, you could sell your items at one of the local flea markets too. Otherwise, there are plenty of wonderful places to donate your used goods to.
Many of us ask how we can help, what we can do, and where we can donate, and in addition to the numerous volunteer opportunities around the city, Elisa Stella from ELP-Expat is here with the answers!
Here is a list of safe and trustworthy organizations where you can donate your used clothing, household items, and other goods:
FAIRHAUS-LÄDEN
There are 8 Fairhaus stores across Düsseldorf where you can bring your used clothes (children, women, and men clothes), shoes, bags, toys and household goods that are still in good condition.
Furniture is also accepted, but in this case, you will need to take a picture of the furniture you want to donate, send it via email to spenden@renatec.de and wait for a response. If the furniture can be reused/repurposed, the team will arrange an appointment to pick it up. Unfortunately, they do not accept electrical devices, bed sheets or dawn items.
PROFAMILIA
Profamilia supports families and children, so they’re grateful if you bring in children’s clothes and toys. They offer an exhaustive program of consultancy for women about all topics regarding pregnancy (maternity wear is also welcome). Bring your used goods to the following address during office hours:
Himmelgeister Str. 107 a
40225 Düsseldorf
Telefon: 0211 315051
Fax: 0211 341294
Email: duesseldorf@profamilia.de
OXFAM
OXFAM collects and sells clothes and small household goods such as cutlery, dishes, and home decorations. These items will then be sold in their shops and all revenues are invested into social projects aimed at fighting poverty in countries around the world.
In Düsseldorf there are two shops where you can bring your stuff (from Monday to Friday 10 am – 7 pm, and Saturday 10 am – 3 pm):
- Nordstraße 9, 40477 Düsseldorf
- Friedrichstraße 25, 40217 Düsseldorf
KAUFHAUS WERTVOLL (CARITAS)
Caritas collects clothes, pieces of furniture, electronic devices, and household articles. These used items are then sold at fair prices to people in need (and at normal prices to all others). Their employees are involved in social projects.
Address: Völklinger Str. 24 – 36, 40221 Düsseldorf
Hours of Operation: Monday to Thursday 8.30 am – 4 pm
E-Mail: kaufhaus-wertvoll@caritas-duesseldorf.de
If you have big pieces of furniture, you can arrange with them an appointment: they assess your goods and eventually pick them up.
Their department called “Einzigware” is definitely one of the coolest upcycling initiatives I know in Düsseldorf. They produce fashion items and decorative pieces made of secondhand donations. These secondhand items become fashionable unique goods thanks to the handcraftsmanship of their workers. Some pieces in their collection are also available online.
DUESSELDORFER TAFEL E.V.
„Tafel“ means „table“ and their aim is to provide food to people in need. Tafel collects food products from companies and retailers (for safety, logistics and legal reasons usually not from private households), however, you can support them in several ways:
- Volunteer as a driver to collect or deliver goods
- Offer food donations for their Christmas packages. This year you can bring non-perishable food, in sealed packages on Wednesday, December 13th to St. Benedikt Schule, Charlottenstr. 110. For instance cans, noodles and dried beans.
People and families in need regularly receive this food, provided that they prove their income status by showing a specific certificate (e.g. Hartz-IV-Bescheid).
TIERTAFEL DÜSSELDORF E.V.
This is the equivalent of Tafel e. V. for pets. You can bring packaged/sealed goods to their offices at Bilker Allee 223, 40215 every Thursday between 3 -5 pm. You can also make a donation (deductible from income tax) sent to the following bank account:
Tiertafel Düsseldorf e.V.
IBAN: DE28330605920005070099 / BIC: GENODED1SPW
Sparda-Bank West eG
To contribute more actively, you can join their association and become a member: 20 Euro/year as a simple member and 20 Euro/month to become a premium member. For more info, you can get in touch directly with info@tiertafelduesseldorf.de / Tel.: 0175 3669606
Facebook: Spenden für Flüchtlinge in Düsseldorf
You can post any items you have to donate in this Facebook group. They will get in touch with you, if interested, to discuss delivery or pickup. You can also find more information on their website.
Mutter Kind Heim in Düsseldorf
There are a number of “Mutter-Kind-Haus” organizations you can find in Düsseldorf. These homes support single mothers and pregnant women who are in need of support. Educational, social and accommodation help is provided where needed. If you would like to donate your used goods to one of these homes, you can consider contacting one of the following organizations:
Friedensdorf
Friedensdorf accepts a lot of different used goods and clothing, but appreciates more specifically, children’s clothing. They support children and families who are living in war zones or crisis areas around the world.
