In-kind Donations

Donors in front of a truck filled with toys donated to homeless children

SOME's experienced Material Donations staff looks forward to working with you to meet the needs of the homeless.

SOME relies on donated materials of many kinds to serve its clients. All material donations to SOME are tax-deductible. SOME does not sell any of the donated items it receives, but distributes them free of charge to individuals in need.

Drop-Off Location and Hours

Our main drop-off location for material donations is 71 O Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001. We are open to receive donations from 7:30am - 4:00pm during the week, or 8:00am - 2:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Appointments are only necessary for drop-off of large furniture items. We will offer you a donation receipt for your tax records when you drop off your donation.

Donation Pick-Ups

SOME is fortunate to own a large box truck and to employ an experienced full-time driver. Our driver and truck are extremely busy, however, so we can only offer pick-up service for large furniture donations and large food and clothing drive collections. If you require a pick-up of your donation and would like to schedule an appointment, please call our Donations Coordinator, Greg Chudy, at 202.797.8806 ext. 2104 or email gchudy@some.org.

Amazon Wish List

SOME has a “Wish List” on Amazon.com of various items needed by the men, women and children whom we serve. Please click here to see our up-to-date Wish List.

Clothing

SOME distributes new and gently used donations of clothing, free of charge, for men, women and children. We ask that donors give only clothing items appropriate for the season in which they are dropped off. Clothing should be laundered and free of tears or stains. It is a great help to us if men's, women's and children's items are bagged separately.

By far our greatest need is in the area of men's clothing. We are particularly seeking the following items.
Men's coats/jackets
Men's jeans
Men's shoes and boots
New underwear and socks

Clothing Drive
Are you organizing a clothing drive? Thank you! You can download and use the clothing drive flier below to promote your event. If you require a pick-up of your clothing drive donation, please call our Donations Coordinator, Greg Chudy, at 202.797.8806 ext. 2104 or email gchudy@some.org. Our driver and truck are extremely busy, however, so we can only offer pick-up service for large clothing drive collections.

Clothing Drive flier » (Publisher, 486 KB)

Food

In addition to the Dining Room where we serve hot meals daily, SOME operates a food pantry. From the food pantry we distribute non-perishable food items to our many programs and houses year round. We welcome donations of all kinds of non-perishable food to keep our pantry stocked.

Food Wish List
Ground coffee
Cold Cereal
Canned meats and tuna
Traditional holiday foods are also welcomed around Thanksgiving and Christmas, including hams and turkeys.

SOME cannot accept any opened food products or products with expired dates.

Food Drive
Are you organizing a food drive? Thank you! You can download and use the food drive flier below to promote your event. If you require a pick-up of your clothing drive donation, please call our Donations Coordinator, Greg Chudy, at 202.797.8806 ext. 2104 or email gchudy@some.org. Our driver and truck are extremely busy, however, so we can only offer pick-up service for large food drive collections.

Food Drive flier » (Publisher, 487 KB)

Adopt a Family

Would you like to help a recently homeless family this holiday season? Please join with your family, friends or co-workers and adopt a family. You will receive a wish list for each family member, and will provide the family with holiday gifts. This is a meaningful way to help families who are working hard to rebuild their lives. If you would like to adopt a family, please contact Beth McClimens.

SOME's Shoebox Gift Drive

Thank you for your interest in participating in SOME's annual Shoebox Gift Drive! Through the Shoebox Gift Drive you can provide essential clothing and toiletry items and show DC's poor and homeless that you care.

We will be accepting shoebox gifts through Thursday, December 15, 2011. Donations can be dropped off at 71 "O" Street NW. We are open Monday-Friday 8am-4pm, and from 7am-2pm on the weekends.

Please wrap the shoebox lid and box separately and label the box with "MAN", "WOMAN", or "CHILD". It is also very helpful to tape a list of the items contained in the box on the lid. Listed below are some suggested items to include in your gift.

Each shoebox gift should contain the following items:

MEN: 1 Hat, 1 scarf, 1 pair of gloves, socks, underwear, deodorant, razors, trial size soap, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste and toothbrush, *optional* gift cards (CVS, Walgreens, Giant, Safeway, etc. Please no fast food gift cards).
WOMEN: 1 Hat, 1 scarf, 1 pair of gloves, socks, underwear, sanitary napkins and/or tampons, deodorant, soap, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, *optional* gift cards (Please no fast food gift cards).
CHILDREN: 1 Hat, 1 scarf, 1 pr. gloves, socks, underwear, 1 small gift or toy, soap, shampoo, lotion, toothbrush and toothpaste (Please no fast food gift cards).

***Please no cash, food, candy, mouthwash or fast food gift cards***

For large donations of care packages, it may be possible to arrange a pick-up with SOME's Donations Truck. To arrange a pick-up, contact Greg Chudy, Donations Coordinator at (202) 797-8806 ext. 2104 or gchudy@some.org.

Toys

During the holidays, SOME distributes donations of new toys to the children in its programs. Toy donations should be unwrapped. SOME cannot accept donations of used toys.

Further questions regarding material donations should be directed to our Donation Coordinator, Greg Chudy at 202.797.8806 ext. 2104 or gchudy@some.org.

Furniture and Household Items

SOME accepts gently used furniture donations and donations of basic household items. These donations are given to individuals who have recently moved off the streets or out of shelters into a new apartment. Donations that could help such individuals furnish an apartment are greatly appreciated. We receive the most requests for the items listed below.

Furniture
Sofas/sleep sofas
Loveseats
Living room chairs
Kitchen tables and chairs
Dressers
Nightstands
End tables
Coffee tables
Ironing boards
Assisted living furniture for seniors (potty chairs, shower chairs, walkers, etc.)

Electronics
TVs
Microwaves
Toasters
Coffeemakers
Vacuum cleaners
Radios/CD players
DVD players
Irons

Kitchen Items
Pots and pans
Sets of dishes, cups and glasses
Silverware
Cooking utensils

Other
Blankets/quilts
Sheets and pillow cases
Throw blankets
Towels
New cleaning supplies (dish and laundry detergent, etc.)
Paper towels and toilet paper
Outdoor sporting equipment (basketballs, volleyball and net, kickball, kickball bases, baseball bats, badminton rackets, shuttles and net)

Furniture and Household Items we Cannot Accept
Used mattresses/boxsprings/bedframes/headboards
Large appliances
China cabinets/hutches
Entertainment centers
Exercise equipment
Air conditioner units
Ceiling fans
Picnic tables/yard furniture
Computers/computer accessories
Highly specialized kitchen equipment (bread machines, ice cream makers, etc.)
Single glasses, cups, plates
Tupperware
Recycled food containers
Opened cleaning products
Knick Knacks

School Supplies

Backpacks
Binders
Folders
Notebooks
Blue or black pens
Index cards