With the holidays approaching, many people are looking to get rid of unwanted household items and clothing. At the same time, many people need access to low-cost or free items. Luckily, there are many options in Jefferson County for both those looking to donate and those needing help. Most people know they can donate items to the Jefferson County Salvation Army in the Arnold area and Goodwill Store and Donations Centers, which have locations in Arnold, Festus and Fenton.
If you’re looking for somewhere closer to home to take your items, you might want to try one of the other organizations seeking items to distribute to those in need.
Second Hand Heros
Second Hand Heros, 113 Mississippi Ave., in Crystal City collects new and gently used clothing, cookware, kitchen equipment, bedding, household supplies, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, diapers, wipes, formula, baby food and other items to distribute for free to those in need.
Valerie Lee, who runs the group, said anyone in need may come in and get what they need regardless of income or where they live. The only questions asked are for the recipients’ names and phone numbers to help the group keep track of how many people they have helped.
During this time of the year, Christmas decorations and gently used toys are needed to help families in need celebrate, Lee said.
Donations of warm clothes and coats for both adults and kids, as well as flashlights, hand warmers and ChapStick are also essential during the cold weather, and food is always needed, she said.
Lee said donations are accepted during business hours from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays or by appointment. Lee said she is flexible and will make evening and weekend appointments, if needed. To make an appointment, call Lee at 636-209-7372.
Foster Together
Foster Together, 13 Fox Valley Center, in Arnold provides new and like-new clothing, shoes, socks and accessories for free to foster families, as well as to families who take in relatives’ children and those with kids in the first year of adoption.
The group needs all sizes, from preemie infant to adult XXXL. Delivery is available to those unable to visit the store. Foster families may shop once per season for new items, either in-store or using the delivery service.
Laura Storm, executive director of Foster Together, said most children who enter foster care only come with the clothes on their back and need a full new wardrobe. She said new underwear, socks and good quality athletic shoes for children are always needed.
Storm said Foster Together also has an Amazon Wishlist that can be accessed through the group’s website at foster-together.org or by searching for “Foster Together” in Amazon’s Registry and Gifting section.
Items may be donated at the Foster Together Boutique from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays.
Foster families in need may find more information on Foster Together’s website at foster-together.org/request.
Jefferson County Rescue Mission
The Jefferson County Rescue Mission, 8943 Commercial Blvd., in Pevely provides food, clothing, small appliances and shelter for those in need in Jefferson County.
Janet Beasley, one of the mission’s board members, said the group needs personal care items, including shampoo, toothpaste and deodorant, as well as food items, like peanut butter, jelly, soup, baked beans, canned vegetables, pasta and pasta sauce.
Beasley said the group currently does not need any clothing but is accepting unused and unopened toys for infants through 12-year-old children to include in Christmas baskets for families with children.
Donations may be made from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
Beasley said anyone who needs assistance may sign up to receive a free monthly basket of food once a month and other free items at the store. Recipients must show proof of residence in Jefferson County and share their phone number and number of household members. Proof of income is not required.
“If a person has a need, they have a need. Sometimes income is not always reflective of the needs that are happening,” Beasley said.
For more information call 636-475-3030.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
Devona Mesey, a volunteer at St. Vincent de Paul Society, 324 S. Second St., in De Soto, said the group is accepting just about everything, as long as it’s something the group can resell. She said the organization accepts clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, houseware, tables, bedding, curtains, books, crafts, dishes, silverware, suitcases, bicycles, Christmas decorations and more.
Kay Emerson, president of the society, said the organization also needs donations of new space heaters, which help those who live in older, drafty homes.
The group also serves people who are unhoused, and donations of blankets, sleeping bags and gift cards are needed to help them, she added.
Mesey said donations are accepted during the thrift store’s regular hours from 9 a.m. until noon Mondays through Saturdays.
Mesey said anyone can come shop at the thrift store, adding that prices are low.
Best of all, she said, is the store profits stay local.
“All the money that we earn here stays in De Soto to help De Soto residents,” Mesey said.
For more information call 636-586-2047.
Peace by Piece
Peace by Piece, 4830 Scottsdale Road, in House Springs, operates a 25-cent clothing store called Clothes Closet; an affordable boutique called Hidden Treasures; and a reasonably priced home furnishings and goods store called Home and Beyond.
Pat Weiss, coordinator and founder of Peace by Piece, said the group needs children’s clothing and coats but is accepting clothing of all sizes and for all seasons.
She said the group also accepts small furniture, linens, blankets, housewares, Christmas decorations and toys for children.
Donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to noon Mondays through Saturdays. Items also may be left in the group’s donation box at any time.
Weiss said anyone is allowed to shop at their three stores, which are open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
She said all the profits generated through the stores are returned to the community.
Weiss said the group spent $45,000 for its back-to-school program, which provided backpacks, school supplies and new shoes, socks and underwear to students in need.
She said the group has already spent $62,000 on this year’s Christmas program, giving families enough money to spend $125 on each of their children on Christmas gifts.
She said they’ve helped more than 500 children so far this year.
Weiss said all that assistance is possible because of generous donations from the community. “They bring it in; we sell it. We turn the money back into our community.”
Weiss said one of the biggest needs for the group is volunteers.
“We’re running short on volunteers to process and get things hung out,” Weiss said. Anyone interested in volunteering may either ask for her at the store or call her at 636-575-5441.
Peace Pantry
The Peace Pantry, 8100 S. Industrial Drive, in Cedar Hill helps people in need who live in Cedar Hill, Dittmer, Catawissa, Morse Mill, Grubville and the Jefferson County portion of Robertsville. The organization provides emergency and long-term help to low-income people and families.
The Peace Pantry accepts donations of nonperishable food items, personal care items, and clothing, as well as school supplies. The group also accepts electric heaters, fans and air conditioners, which they distribute free of charge to those who need them.
The organization accepts donations of durable medical equipment, like wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs and crutches and lend them to those in need to be returned after they are no longer needed.
The Peace Pantry Thrift Store hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Donations may be made during store hours or by calling 636-285-0934 to make an appointment. Those in need should call the Peace Pantry to see if they qualify for help.
Feed My People
Feed My People, 3295 Ottomeyer Road, in House Springs has thrift stores that provides people with gently used clothing, shoes, household goods, electronics and books at low prices. Anyone is welcome to explore the store’s inventory, which is donated by local community members.
Feed My People is open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. For more information, call 636-677-9885.