Thank you for thinking of Shelter House for your in-kind donation.  While we would love to accept everything that is offered to us, we have very limited storage space and our needs depend on the specific needs of each of the families we serve.  Please contact the Community Coordinator at each shelter to confirm that we are able to accept your donation and to schedule a drop-off.  Also, please review each shelter's In-Kind Donation Wish List to see what items are urgently needed at each facility.

Patrick Henry Family Shelter In-Kind Donation Wish List
Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter In-Kind Donation Wish List

Drop offs of in-kind donations are generally accepted any day of the week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at either shelter.  Please contact us to schedule a drop off outside of these hours.

Items we accept…

1. Clothes:
   We accept new clothes only, with an emphasis on clothes for babies and children and professional clothing for women.
   Please contact us to confirm need and to arrange drop off.
2. Computers/software:
   We accept computers for families who are due to move into their own housing soon.  Requirements are:
   Pentium 3 or newer processor
   Windows XP or above  (or equivalent Mac operating system)
   Must have all power cords
   Printers must come with corresponding software and cables
   Equipment should be no more than three years old
   We accept new educational software. 
   Please contact us to confirm need and to arrange drop off.
3. Food:
   For the Patrick Henry Family Shelter, we accept non-perishable items only and food that has more than 3 months of shelf-life remaining at the time of donation.
   For the Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter, we accept snacks for kids’ programs as well as food for our dining service.  Food donations must be accompanied by a comprehensive list of ingredients. 
   The Katherine K. Hanley Family Shelter can accept prepared food.  Contact the KHFS for a detailed Food Fact Sheet for more information.
   Please contact us to confirm need and to arrange drop off.
4. Furniture/Household items:
   We accept small household appliances, including televisions (MUST be accompanied by a Digital Converter Box or be factory-ready for digital broadcast), vacuums, toasters, microwaves, coffee makers, etc. These must be gently used or new. 
   We accept kitchen items like pots, pans, utensils, dishes, and glass ware (no stemware or candleholders please).  These must be gently used or new.
   We can only accept new linens and pillows.
   We only accept furniture on an as-needed basis.
   We accept laundry detergent.
   Please contact us to confirm need and to arrange drop off.
5. Infant/Toddler items and equipment:
   We accept clean, LIKE-NEW car seats, high chairs, strollers, bouncy seats, exersaucers and cribs.  We prefer that these items come with their instruction manuals.
   We accept new diapers, wipes, baby bottles and infant formula.
   Please contact us to confirm need and to arrange a drop off.
   Toiletries:
   We accept unopened full size (not travel size) toiletries. 
   Please contact us to confirm need and to arrange drop off.
6. Toys/books:
   We accept new toys only.
   We accept new books only.  The exception is books on skill building or employment seeking which were not published more than 3 years before the date of donation.
   Please contact us to confirm need and to arrange drop off.
7. Items we do not accept…
   We regret that we are UNABLE to accept the following items:
   Used clothes
   Used shoes
   Large household appliances
   Cars

Other resources:
The following organizations may be able to accept items that Shelter House cannot accept.  

Second Chance Thrift Store
Through a partnership with Second Chance, Shelter House Clients receive vouchers to shop here for free.
Fairfax location: 703.385.3064
Falls Church location: 703.533.9268

Goodwill of Greater Washington
Locations in Arlington, Greater Springfield, Sterling and Vienna.

Salvation Army of Fairfax
703.385.8700

Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources of Fairfax County 
Please call to confirm OAR can accept your items before dropping them off.
703.246.3033

Vietnam Veterans of America Household Goods Donation Program
301.585.4000
800.882.1316

Miriam’s Kitchen (accepts travel size toiletries and men’s clothing)
202.452.8926 (ext. 4)

Spring - A ministry of Passion 4 Community & New Life Christian Church

The Lamb Center
703.691.3178

Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelter
703.820.7623

Click here for a full list of organizations in Fairfax County that accept donations of Material Goods.