- Shelters are now utilizing the Internet to accept donations. They put up a website that gives information about their shelter, such as how many people are helped each year, and lists the needs of the shelter which always includes monetary donations. These cash gifts can be used to pay electric bills, food, as well as for items the homeless need. Donating money online is easy--you just click the donate button and type in the amount you are willing to give. You can pay by credit card or PayPal in almost all cases. Your donations are also tax deductible, so print out your receipt.
- Each shelter has a set of hours each week that they accept personal donations. This can be money or other items such as bedding, clothing, diapers, food or personal care items. If you live in the area this is the best way to give to the shelter. You will get to explore the shelter and see firsthand what the needs are. You can also ask for a tax-deductible receipt if you donate clothing and other items, rather than cash. Call the shelter and find out what times they are open to accepting donations.
- Shelters accept donations off site, such as in boxes around town in popular places. Extra boxes pop up during the holiday seasons of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. You can call the shelter to find out where their drop-off boxes are if you haven't seen any around. You will not be able to get a receipt at these locations and you cannot drop off cash. Mainly these boxes are for toys, clothing, and personal care items. Each week someone from the shelter swings by and picks up the items left in the drop box.
- Find the shelter's address on the website or the phone book. You are free to mail anything you want to donate to the shelter--cash, clothing, canned food items, personal care items, and even office supplies. If you want a receipt include a self-addressed stamped envelop for the shelter's convenience. Bear in mind that you are going to pay shipping costs and those will not be included on the tax deductible receipt. You may want to keep your receipt from the post office as proof.
