Donating items is a great way to give back to the community while practicing sustainability. Giving items such as clothing, furniture, and pet supplies a second life allows another person to enjoy that item and diverts items from landfills. However, it’s often difficult to find the right place for donations. We’ve rounded up locations throughout Asbury Park that accept donations of all kinds to ensure that each item is placed in a new home or recycled properly. It’s important to note that donated items should be in usable condition unless otherwise stated. Read on to learn more about places to donate clothes, shoes, furniture, and other, unwanted items throughout Asbury Park.
Books via Asbury Book Cooperative | 644A Cookman Avenue, Asbury Park
The Asbury Book Cooperative welcomes all book lovers to participate in its used book exchange program. Books can be donated to the ABC in exchange for store credit to purchase more books. All donated books must be in saleable condition, meaning no excessive bending, stains, mold, or scratches. The ABC team will evaluate each book and determine a value between $0.10 and $1.00. The donor will receive that amount in store credit to purchase previously donated books. To learn more about the ABC, click here.
Instruments via Asbury Park Music Foundation | 621 Lake Avenue, Asbury Park
The Asbury Park Music Foundation wants to ensure that all students have access to a music education. To support this mission, the foundation needs equipment. The Asbury Park Music Foundation accepts donations of new and gently used instruments and audio equipment. Every item donated must be in working condition. After going through a cleaning and refurbishing process, the organization will ensure the donation is put to good use. Donors are asked to fill out a donation form and bring it when dropping off instruments or equipment. To download the form and learn more, click here.
Read More: Where to Volunteer in the Jersey Shore Area
Books via Bridge of Books Foundation | Throughout New Jersey
Bridge of Books Foundation is an organization whose mission is to provide as many books as possible to children throughout New Jersey. Bridge of Books Foundations hosts drives and fundraisers throughout the state and encourages anyone interested to get involved by making a book donation or hosting a drive for their own. All books must be age-appropriate for young readers and should be in new or very gently used condition. Click here to learn more and connect with the team to donate.
Furniture + Household Items via Coastal Habitat for Humanity ReStore | 1105 Memorial Drive, Asbury Park
Coastal Habitat for Humanity ReStore allows shoppers to feel good redecorating or furnishing their homes. All the merchandise available in the store is previously used but in great condition. The store will accept new or gently used furniture for resale. Think tables, chairs, dining room sets, artwork, and bed frames. There are a few less commonly donated items on the wish list such as hand trucks, cleaning supplies, and paper towels. The full list can be found here. While Coastal Habitat for Humanity will accept many donations in good condition, donors should review the list of items that are not accepted before heading into the store. That list can be found here. To learn more, click here.
Clothing + Housewares via Goodwill | 1 North Mall Drive, Ocean Township
Perhaps one of the most well-known locations for donations is Goodwill and New Jersey has plenty of locations. The location closest to Asbury Park is on North Mall Drive in Ocean. Goodwill accepts donations of all kinds including in-season adult and children’s clothing, certain electronics, home medical equipment, jewelry, houseware and small appliances, and toys. Check out the full list of dos and don’ts for donating here. Goodwill offers a donation valuation guide to determine the worth of donated items for tax purposes. That sheet can be found here. To learn more about donating to Goodwill and to inquire about donation pick-up services, click here.
Clothing + Food via Jersey Shore Rescue Mission Thrift Store | 701 Memorial Drive, Asbury Park
The Jersey Shore Rescue Mission provides resources to those living without an address in the Asbury Park area. Donations make this mission possible. The staff is looking to provide immediate needs like clothing, food, and shelter. Some of the most needed items for this mission are necessities like socks, underwear, period supplies, notebooks, writing instruments, coffee, and paper products. The Rescue Mission Thrift Store is also in need of donated items. The store will accept gently used clothing, furniture, small appliances, and office needs. There is also a car donation program that accepts unwanted cars. Donation pick-up is available. To learn more or to schedule a pick-up, click here.
Books via New Legacy Books Donation Drops | 10 Cold Indian Springs Road + 1229 West Park Avenue, Ocean Township
New Legacy Books Donation Drops are donation bins located throughout New Jersey. The two closest to Asbury Park are located outside two churches in Ocean Township on Cold Indian Springs Road and West Park Avenue. This donation effort was started by two Monmouth County residents who saw a need for the redistribution of books. All donated books must be in readable and sellable condition and must have a visible ISBN. Donated books will either be re-sold at discounted prices with the money being used to support local non-profits or, books deemed unreadable will be properly recycled. To learn more about New Legacy Books and to check out all locations, click here.
See More: A List of Hoboken + Jersey City Non-Profits to Donate to Year-Round
Clothing, Running Vehicles, + Small Appliances via Salvation Army | 605 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park
Doing the most good is what the Salvation Army does best. This mission is made possible, in part, by generous donors. The Salvation Army is open to receiving donations of clothing and accessories, home goods, small appliances, furniture, and even vehicles still in running condition. All these resources are used to support the Salvation Army’s mission of meeting the needs of the community. The organization has drop-off locations and thrift stores throughout New Jersey with the closest being at 605 Asbury Avenue. To learn more about what can be donated and to schedule a pick-up, click here.
Furniture via Twice is Nice Furniture Store | 705 Summerfield Avenue, Asbury Park
Twice is Nice Furniture Store is a one-stop shop for all things furniture. Shoppers can find new mattresses and previously owned furniture at discounted rates. Donors are welcome to drop off items at the location on Summerfield Avenue. To learn more about the operating hours and what’s accepted, email the team at twiceisnice@jfcsmonmouth.org or check out the Facebook page here.
