ways to donate

  • Drop Off at Our Stores

    We accept donations at all of our retail locations when we are open, with some site-specific restrictions.

    Drop-Off Information 

  • Donation Containers

    We have outdoor bins available at various locations across eastern Massachusetts that accept books, music and clothing.

    Find a Container 

  • Schedule a Pickup

    We can pickup for 8+ boxes/bags depending on where you are in Massachusetts.

    Schedule Now 

  • Book & Clothing Drives

    Spread the word about us! Check out out how to support us with a collection of clothing or book drive.

    Run a Drive 

  • Mail Them to Us

    Want to support us from afar? You can mail your donated goods us!

    ...............................

    More Than Words

    Attn: Donations

    242 East. Berekeley St.

    Boston MA 02118

donation guidelines

what we accept

We accept items that are gently used, clean, complete, and resalable. Donations that fall outside these guidelines cannot be accepted due to space, safety, and operational limitations.

When in doubt, please check below before donating.

books, music & video games

Books

  • Most genres, paperback and hardcover
  • Adult, teen, and children’s books
  • Books should be clean and in good condition

We cannot accept:
Encyclopedias
Textbooks older than 10 yrs.
Magazines or periodicals
Books with heavy damage, mold, or missing pages

CDs, DVDs and Video Games

  • Must be in original cases and in good resallable condition.
  • All Genres and types accepted

LP'S - Vinyl Records

Must be in Original Sleeves

The Following Genres are the most helpful:

  • Rock/Pop
  • Funk
  • Folk
  • Hip/Hop
  • Jazz and R&B

Electronics and Game Systems

Small Home Electronics:

  • Must be in working condition
  • No kitchen appliances

Game systems/consoles

  • Working Condition
  • Gently used accessories such as joysticks, controllers or keyboards.

clothing & accessories

Clothing

  • All genders and ages
  • Clean, gently used, and free of stains or excessive wear

    We cannot accept:
    Underwear or socks
    Clothing with rips, heavy fading, or strong odors

In season clothing is preferred

Shoes

  • Must be in pairs
  • Gently used and wearable
  • All Genders and Sizes

Jewelry & Accessories

  • Bags, backpacks, handbags
  • Belts, hats, scarves
  • Jewelry in wearable condition

Items should be complete and free of damage with working clasps, zippers and attachments.

household items

Housewares

  • Picture Frames, and artwork
  • Candles: must be unused candles,
  • Lamps and lights in working order
  • Trinkets, odds & ends, figurines
  • Ceramics

Seasonal Decorations

  • Clean, intact and resalable
  • Items with electrical components should be in working condition
  • Large seasonal decor on a case by case basis - please reach out if you have questions.

Kitchen & Dining

  • Dinnerware and glasses/mugs
  • Serveware
  • Non-electric kitchenware and gadgets in great condition
  • Vintage Cookware

Bedding, Rugs, Pillows

Bedding/Linens/Pillows:

  • GENTLY used
  • No stains, rips, tears or excessive wear
  • Decorative Pillows only

Rugs:

  • Clean without dirt or stains
  • No frayed edges

Games, Puzzles, Toys & Baby

Games:

  • Open and Used games are ok
  • Must be intact and in their original boxes.

Puzzles must be unopened. We are unable to take opened puzzles.

Toys:

  • GENTLY used or new toys
  • No stuffed animals

Baby items:

  • Toys, wearables and clothing ok!
  • We are unable to take used pacifiers or bottles, cribs, car seats or strollers

Sporting Goods

Equipment must be in working condition and clean.

If you have a large amount of equipment or # of pieces, please contact us similar to furniture.

Office, Craft & Art Supplies

Arts/Craft Supplies:

  • In good, resalable condition.
  • Kts should be complete and have all parts.
  • Fabric and Yarn should be clean.

Office supplies:

  • Working pens, highlighters
  • Paper - complete reams only please
  • Stickers, tape, scissors, staples, post-it note and other supplies should be in original packaging

We cannot accept the following:

  • Paint
  • Liquid craft components
  • Loose paper and supplies

furniture & special items

Furniute and oversized items are not automatically accepted.

  • Small furniture may be accepted case‑by‑case only
  • Large furniture is accepted only when space allows and requires prior approval
  • Exercise equipment is accepted when space allows, requires prior approval and must in in good, working condition.

👉 Please contact us before attempting to donate furniture.

Check With Us

items we are unable to take

We appreciate your generosity, but some items can't be used in our program. Accepting them diverts resources from delivering on our mission and actually can hurt our youth-run business.

we cannot accept the following:

  • Appliances

  • Audio Cassettes & VHS

  • Broken Items

  • Cleaning Supplies & Chemicals

  • Encyclopedias & Magazines

  • Food & Perishable Items

  • Cribs, Carseats or Strollers

  • Items with a Strong Odor

  • Mattresses

  • Opened Beauty Products

  • Opened Puzzles

  • Paint

  • Stained/Torn Clothing

  • Stuffed Animals

  • Undergarments

dropping off at our stores?

Donations are accepted at select More Than Words locations during designated hours. Please review the instructions for your desired location below to ensure a smooth drop‑off.

boston

617-865-6473

242 E. Berkeley St.

  • Drop‑off hours: During Open Hours
  • Where to bring donations: Ring bell at side garage door (marked) or bring them into store!
  • Parking notes: Please pull into driveway to drop-off at side door and continue to back lot to turn around.
  • Large Donations (20+ boxes/bags): Please call ahead to alert staff of arrival.
See Store Details

waltham

781-314-9330

56 Felton St.

  • Drop‑off hours: During Open Hours
  • Where to leave donations: External Donation bins or bring them through the first garage door.
  • Parking notes: Please park in marked parking spots when dropping off.
  • Large Donations (20+ boxes/bags): Please call ahead to alert staff of arrival.
See Store Details

cambridge

617-749-4278

563 Massachusetts Ave.

**APPOINTMENT REQUIRED**

Due to our limited processing space, donations are accepted if you call ahead and confirm a drop-off time.

  • Drop‑off hours: During Open Hours
  • Where to leave donations: Bring to back door and ring bell or into the store
  • Parking notes: Public parking is available behind our storefront
See Store Details