Clean Out, Give Back: Where to Donate Clothes in Los Angeles

Few cities reinvent themselves like Los Angeles, and wardrobes tend to follow suit. Between changing seasons, evolving trends, and an endless calendar of occasions worth dressing for, closets fill up fast, making the question of where to donate clothes in Los Angeles one that most Angelenos eventually find themselves asking.

It helps that Angelenos are unusually good at this. According to GoFundMe’s 2025 “Year in Help” report, Los Angeles ranked as the most generous community in the country based on the share of residents who repeatedly supported charitable causes and fundraisers. When Angelenos have something to give, they tend to find someone who needs it.

If you’re sorting through your closet and looking for places to donate clothing in Los Angeles, you’ll find no shortage of meaningful options across the city. For the clothes you’re still on the fence about (or should we say, still on the rack?), Los Angeles self storage facilities offer one of the most accessible storage networks in the country, giving those pieces somewhere to wait without adding to the clutter at home.

1. The Midnight Mission

Founded in 1914, The Midnight Mission is one of Downtown LA’s most trusted nonprofits, offering emergency shelter, 12-step recovery programs, job training, and education to those in need. Clothing and essential supplies donated here go directly toward supporting people in recovery and interim housing. For current drop-off hours and details, contact the donations team directly at (213) 624-9258 ext. 2205 or email [email protected]. All donations are tax-deductible, and receipts are available on request.

2. Bridge Thrift

Bridge Thrift is a community-first thrift store with a clear mission: 100% of net profits go back into the neighborhoods through their Changemaker Grant program, funding local organizations and individuals working to create positive change.

With locations in Glassell Park and Highland Park, it’s a convenient option if you’re in Northeast LA. Donations are accepted daily during drop-off hours, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and any items that can’t be resold are responsibly recycled or upcycled rather than sent to a landfill.

3. Project Ropa

Project Ropa takes a different approach to clothing donations in LA. As the city’s only mobile clothing closet, this Gardena-based nonprofit brings clean clothes, hygiene essentials and other necessities directly to people experiencing homelessness through outreach events and community partnerships while helping keep usable items out of landfills.

Its donation wishlist extends beyond clothing to include new hygiene products, blankets and bags. Gently used adult clothing, footwear and accessories remain at the heart of those donations, too. Children’s items aren’t part of their current donation needs.

Drop-offs are arranged by appointment through their website, and those within roughly 30 miles of Gardena (ZIP code 90249) can also schedule a pickup for a small fee, though it’s worth planning ahead, as pickup slots often fill up a couple of weeks in advance.

4. American Cancer Society Discovery Shop

One person’s closet cleanout can help fund a breakthrough. The American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shops turn donated clothing and household goods into something much bigger, with proceeds supporting cancer research and patient services.

The Burbank location has become a favorite among locals, and it’s easy to see why. Your pieces get a second life in a thrift shop known for its thoughtfully curated selection, while every purchase made there contributes to a cause that has touched so many families. Donations made here ripple far beyond the thrift shop floor, supporting both cancer patients and the researchers working toward better treatments. Burbank isn’t the only option, either — Discovery Shops can be found throughout the LA area.

5. Downtown Women’s Center

The Downtown Women’s Center supports women and gender-diverse individuals across Los Angeles with services that address those everyday realities.

Donations are accepted at the San Pedro location by appointment, which can be scheduled through the organization’s website. Since needs shift over time, check the latest wishlist before loading up the car. Clothing should be new or freshly laundered within two weeks of your appointment, folded and sorted by type. Leave the hangers at home and pack footwear separately to help keep the intake process running smoothly.

6. My Friend’s Place

Most people don’t picture a 14-year-old when they think about donating clothes, but My Friend’s Place does. The Hollywood drop-in center serves young people aged 12 to 25, and its clothing closet is one of the ways it helps them look and feel like themselves again.

Clothing donations are accepted by appointment and can be dropped off through the back parking lot, accessible from the alley just south of the 76 gas station at Bronson Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard. To schedule a donation, simply email [email protected].

7. Los Angeles Mission

One detail that sets the Los Angeles Mission apart is its belief that donated clothing should be something you’d feel comfortable wearing yourself. Alongside daily meals, showers and recovery programs, the Mission distributes clothing directly to unhoused Angelenos. Clean, ready-to-wear items in good condition are what they’re looking for, with extra-large and tall sizes often in especially high demand.

Drop-offs can be made Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Donation Drop Off Center at 351 S. Anderson Street, Los Angeles, California 90033. Saturday donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 316 Winston St., Los Angeles, California 90013.

8. Beacon House Thrift Shop

The men staffing the floor at Beacon House Thrift Shop in San Pedro aren’t just employees. They’re graduates of the recovery program your donation helps fund. Operated by the Beacon House Association of San Pedro, the thrift shop runs entirely on community donations, using proceeds to give recovering men their first foothold back into the workforce.

It’s one of the more direct loops in charitable giving, as the clothes you drop off become the job that helps someone rebuild their life.

9. Full Circle Thrift

Start in Old Pasadena, pass the Rose Bowl crowds and head north toward the San Gabriel foothills, and you’ll eventually find Full Circle Thrift in Altadena’s historic business district.

Its place in the community came into sharper focus after the Eaton Fire in January 2025. Smoke damage forced the store to close for months and wiped out its entire inventory. Yet when Full Circle reopened, some of the first donations came from Altadena residents who had lost their own homes in the disaster. A full-circle moment, if you will.

Gently used adult clothing and accessories are accepted Monday through Saturday — just leave the furniture, books and bulky items at home, as those aren’t part of the store’s donation program.

10. Alexandria House

The transitional home on South Alexandria Avenue has spent nearly three decades helping women and children move from emergency shelters to stable, permanent housing. Clothing donations help fill the gaps that government programs don’t cover.

Alexandria House doesn’t run a standard drop-off program, so the best first step is to call or email the organization to find out what they need and how they prefer to receive it. Given that they serve women and children specifically, women’s and children’s clothing in good condition is likely most useful, but a quick conversation with the team will confirm what’s needed most at any given time.

Make space at home with Los Angeles self storage

Los Angeles apartments have always been compact by necessity, but the numbers have gotten starker over time. Newly built apartments in LA lost 41 square feet between 2010 and 2019 — basically an entire closet’s worth of outfit potential disappearing into thin air.

Average apartment sizes across Greater Los Angeles now sit below 700 square feet, compared to the national average of 901 square feet, not leaving a lot of room for a city that also happens to love clothes.

For renters trying to fit a full wardrobe into a modest apartment, self storage has become a practical workaround.

More budget-friendly options can be found in neighborhoods like Chesterfield Square and Eagle Rock, while units closer to the Westside tend to command a premium. Storage rates vary significantly across Los Angeles depending on the neighborhood, unit size and amenities, so it’s worth checking the latest average self storage prices before making a decision.

A general rule of thumb to keep in mind when deciding what size to go for:

• 5’x5’ unit: Great for off-season clothing, special-occasion outfits, shoes and a few storage bins of accessories.
• 5’x10’ unit: A good fit for the contents of a packed walk-in closet. Ideal for larger wardrobes.
• 10’x10’ unit: The go-to choice for anyone sharing storage space with a roommate or partner. Beyond clothing, it can accommodate dressers, boxed keepsakes and other household overflow.

One pro tip: Climate-controlled storage is worth considering for the items you’d be upset to replace: vintage finds, designer purchases, heirloom pieces, leather jackets, formalwear and garments made from fabrics that don’t fare well in extreme heat or humidity.

FAQ

Is clothing donation tax deductible in Los Angeles?

Yes, as long as you’re donating to a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Most organizations on this list qualify, including the Midnight Mission, Los Angeles Mission, Project Ropa, and Downtown Women’s Center. Always ask for a receipt at drop-off.

What clothes should I not donate?

The general rule is that if you wouldn’t wear it yourself, it probably shouldn’t be donated. Avoid donating single shoes without a pair, heavily worn underwear or socks, and items that smell of mildew or smoke. For clothes that don’t meet donation standards but are still made of usable fabric, textile recycling is the better route. LA-based organizations like SUAY repurpose and recycle old textiles rather than sending them to landfill.

Does anyone pick up clothing donations in Los Angeles?

Yes, a few organizations on this list offer pickup options. Project Ropa, for example, offers scheduled pickups within roughly 30 miles of Gardena (ZIP code 90249) for a small fee, though slots fill up a couple of weeks in advance so don’t leave it to the last minute.

What should I do before donating clothes in Los Angeles?

1. Wash everything: Nearly every organization on this list asks for clean clothing. When in doubt, run it through the wash before packing it up.
2. Check for damage: Go through each item for stains, tears, missing buttons or broken zippers. Set damaged pieces aside for textile recycling rather than donation.
3. Sort by category: Organizations like the Los Angeles Mission and Midnight Mission specifically ask for clothing to be sorted by gender (men’s, women’s, children’s) and packed in labeled bags or boxes.
4. Check the organization’s current needs: Wishlists change frequently, so a quick check before you leave the house means your donation lands where it’s needed.
5. Call or email ahead if required: Several organizations require appointments for drop-offs. Showing up unannounced may mean turning around.

Where one closet ends, another begins

A bag of interview clothes heading to My Friend’s Place, a stack of folded shirts destined for the Los Angeles Mission, or a few blankets making their way to Project Ropa — all of it keeps the currency of clothing in motion. What no longer serves one closet can still hold real value for someone else.

As for the pieces you’re still debating, Los Angeles self storage creates a useful buffer between keeping everything and letting it all go at once. Start with one drawer at a time. A little space at home can turn into a fresh start for someone else.