Giving back to your community while decluttering your home has never been simpler, thanks to . Whether you’re looking to donate gently used goods or find affordable treasures, understanding the donation process is key. This guide provides everything you need to know about making successful donations and supporting The Salvation Army’s vital community programs.
Convenient Donation Drop-Off at Our Centers
For those who prefer to drop off their donations, The Salvation Army Donation Centers in Southeast Michigan offer a straightforward and efficient service. Currently, all 31 locations are open to receive your contributions Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
Donation drop-off at The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center
Important COVID-19 Update: To ensure the safety of donors and staff, please remain in your vehicle upon arrival. We appreciate your patience, especially during peak times, as there may be a line due to the generous volume of donations we receive.
Donation Pick-Up Service: Temporarily Unavailable
COVID-19 Update Regarding Pick-Ups: Please be advised that The Salvation Army is currently NOT offering donation pick-up services and is not scheduling pick-ups for the foreseeable future. We recommend contacting our Communications Department at 313-965-7760 for the most up-to-date information on when pick-up services might resume.
In normal circumstances, The Salvation Army provides a convenient pick-up service for larger donations. Typically, due to our extensive service area covering Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne Counties, scheduling a pick-up requires advance planning, generally at least 2 weeks ahead of time. Each city within these counties is assigned a specific day of the week for pick-ups to optimize our routes and serve our community effectively.
Pick-up windows usually fall between 8 AM and 7 PM, Monday through Saturday. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate specific time requests due to the volume and routing logistics. To qualify for pick-up service, donations should include either one large piece of furniture or a minimum of 10 large, 33-gallon trash bags filled with clothing or other acceptable items.
For inquiries about pick-up service updates, please reach out to our Communications Department at 313-965-7760. You can also explore the online scheduling tool at satruck.org to check for potential future availability.
Pick-Up Service Guidelines (When Available)
To ensure a smooth and successful donation pick-up when services are reinstated, please note the following guidelines:
- If Someone Is Home: For in-home pick-ups, we kindly request that all donation items be located on the ground floor. Our drivers are unable to navigate stairs within homes. Garages are accessible for pick-ups. Please note that walk-out basements may not always be suitable depending on accessibility.
- If No One Is Home: If you will not be present during the scheduled pick-up, please place all items outdoors, ideally on the front porch, at the front of the driveway, or near the curb. Cover the items with a tarp and clearly label them for The Salvation Army. Our drivers cannot enter buildings, gates, or access backyards without someone being present. If someone else will be at your residence in your absence, please provide a signed letter authorizing them to release the donation on your behalf. Without this authorization, we will be unable to collect the items.
What Items Can You Donate? Acceptable Donations
The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center gratefully accepts a wide array of gently used items. Your donations help stock our stores and fund crucial community programs. Acceptable donation items include:
- Accessories
- Clothing
- Computers
- Dryers
- Electronics
- Exercise Equipment
- Footwear
- Furniture
- Infant Furniture
- Lawn Equipment
- Mattresses & Box Springs
- Office Equipment (File Cabinets, Chairs, Conference Tables)
- Organs (Drop-Off Only)
- Pianos (Drop-Off Only)
- Sewing Machines
- Stoves
- Tools / Tool Cabinets
- Washing Machines
- Wooden Play Sets
- Wood Desks (Drop-Off Only)
- Wooden Roll Top Desks
Items We Cannot Accept: Unacceptable Donations
To ensure the safety of our staff and the quality of goods offered in our stores, there are certain items that The Salvation Army cannot accept as donations. These unacceptable items include:
- Air Conditioners
- Automotive Parts
- Automotive Vehicles
- Bowling Balls
- Building Supplies
- Built-In Appliances
- Console Televisions / Radios
- Copy Machines
- Dishwashers
- Encyclopedias / Dictionaries
- Flotation Devices (Life Vests)
- Freezers
- Hot Water Heaters
- Infant Car Seats
- Infant Cribs
- Magazines
- Medical Equipment
- Metal Desks
- Metal Play Sets
- Opened Household Cleaners
- Projection Televisions
- Refrigerators
- Toxic Waste
- Trash Compactors
- Tube Style Televisions
- Typewriters
- Wall-to-Wall Carpeting
- Waterbeds
Understanding the Value of Your Donation
The Salvation Army operates on the generosity of its donors and, as such, does not assign a specific dollar value to donated items. Determining the value of your donation is the responsibility and privilege of the donor. To assist you in this process, we recommend taking photographs of your donated items for your records and retaining your donation receipt provided by The Salvation Army. For guidance on estimating the value of your donations, you can consult the donation value guide available at satruck.org/Home/DonationValueGuide.
By donating to The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center, you are not only simplifying your life and decluttering your space but also making a significant contribution to your local community. Your donations support vital programs that assist individuals and families in need, making a real difference in Southeast Michigan.
