Finding New Homes

Lon and I recently began the task of "decluttering" in each room of our home. Soon, piles of clothing, hats, books, and other items accumulated in bags and boxes to be distributed to new homes.

Speaking of new homes…what can you do with all those items that are no longer needed, but are still in good condition? Why not bless someone else with those items?

1. Experts say if you haven’t worn something in the past two years, pass it on.

· Check your community for places that take used clothing. Homeless shelters and the Salvation Army or Goodwill are just a few of the places that would gladly take your used clothing.

· Dress for Success accepts nice women’s clothing that can be given to disadvantaged women, those exiting the prison system in search of employment, or those in need of clothing for a job interview. God has used this organization to bless those seeking a second chance. For more information, see http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

2. Toys. If your kids are like mine, they have more toys than they need. Why not bless a needy child with a gently loved toy? This encourages a giving and compassionate heart within your child.

· Know a foster parent? Might their foster child(ren) need toys or clothes? You can also check with your community Department of Family Services to see if there is someone in need or the Salvation Army/Goodwill are good choices as well.

3. Books. There are four people in my family, yet a glimpse around our house indicates we have at least nine Bibles. What about people who would love to have just one Bible? If you have extra Bibles or other books in your home, there are plenty of places in which to donate them:

· Love Packages accepts Bibles, Christian books and magazines, tracts, and hymnals. They distribute these items to numerous countries and into the hands of those who are hungry for the Word of God. Mail your items (media mail is less expensive) to Love Packages, 220 Union St., Butler, IL 62015 Be sure to check their website for a detailed list on what Love Packages does and does not accept at http://www.lovepackages.org/.

· Another place to send your books is to Hands for Christ. They found Lending Libraries in other countries and lend out Christian items to new believers. Mail items (again, media mail is less expensive) to Hands for Christ International, 5720 Williamson Rd. Ste. 11, Roanoke, VA 24012. More information can be found at http://www.handsforchrist.org/Site/Join_Us.html

· When we first discovered our church library, our daughters were ecstatic. Why not donate some of your items to your church library? Be sure to check (and double-check!) your items for content. The Bible warns us in 1 Corinthians 10:32 of causing others to stumble. Make sure your donated books, DVDs, and videos are clean and wholesome family-oriented material.

· Have some clean plastic cottage cheese or butter containers? Check to see if your church needs these containers for leftover meals at funerals, etc. Also, if you have other clean "Glad" or "Tupperware" containers you aren’t using, these can be donated as well.

· What to do with all those Christmas cards (as well as other occasion cards) you receive this year? My friend, Kim, put me on to this idea: donate cards to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children at Card Recycling Program, 100 St. Jude's Street, Boulder City, NV 89005. More details can be found at http://stjudesranch.org/help_card.php

· Could your local Habit for Humanity use your gently used household items, such as ceiling fans or doors?

Before you get started please check out these rules of thumb:

Always ask someone in your family, immediate and extended, if they need the item first. First Timothy 5:8 tells us to first provide for our relatives. Secondly, do you know any widows or single moms who could use the items? James 1:27 instructs us to take care of the widows and orphans.

Do NOT pass on anything you wouldn’t use or wear yourself (i.e., junk). Clothes with stains and holes, books with pages ripped out of them, scratched DVDs, or expired food that doesn’t have a place in your home certainly won’t be welcome (or appreciated) in someone else’s.

Remember to always call first to see if donations are being accepted. Some places are inundated with items and are therefore not accepting donations at this time. Please be respectful of their donation criteria.

Most importantly, pray for God’s guidance as you seek to find who could use your gently used items.

Now involve the entire family and bless someone today!

For more ideas on serving others, check out my latest book 77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others available wherever books are sold!