you start a drive

our youth drive the change

  • Set a Date

    A day, a month - how long you run your drive is up to you! Drives from January to March are the most helpful because we are otherwise low on donations.

  • Spread the Word

    The key to any drive success is getting the word out there! Use our click-and-go packet and share with your company, neighbors, and community.

  • Have an Impact

    Once your drive is over you can see your donations in action at either location by dropping them off or schedule a pckup here on our website!

common questions

getting started

What kinds of items can be donated?

Whether it's books, clothing or housewares, we ask that all items be in gently used condition or better - clean, intact and ready to sell.

Are there items you don't accept?

These following items hurt more than help and we ask you to skip:

  • Books missing pages or covers
  • Scratched or unboxed discs
  • Outdated reference/textbooks (10+ years)
  • Moldy, water-damaged, or heavily marked items
  • Health or travel guides (5+ years)
  • Encyclopedias, magazines, periodicals
  • VHS or cassette tapes
  • Opened puzzles or board games
  • Stained or ripped clothing
  • Shoes not in pairs
  • Heavily used and worn kitchenware

How do I find out where to drop off donations or how to schedule a pickup?

You can organize a drop-off or pickup on our website via our self-scheduler.

How long should I run a drive?

Really its up to you but we find that 2-4- weeks give you enough time for promotion, collection and followup.

Can we collect a combination of items?

Yes! Be sure to include promotions for all items and use the guidelines in our drive packet for details on each category.

logistics & planning

How should we package donations?

Use sturdy bins or boxes in high-traffic areas. Label clearly with:

  • Start and end dates
  • Contact info
  • Our website: www.mtwyouth.org

Do you provide collection containers?

We typically encourage drives to use containers that best suit their space and needs. Due to our limited resources, we're generally unable to provide containers. However, in rare cases—particularly for very large-scale drives—we may be able to offer a few of our rolling bins to support your efforts.

Do items need to be sorted or organized in any way?

Generally no! As long as like items (books, clothing, housewares) are grouped together and in serviceable containers we sort and process when they make it to us.

Is there a minimum or maximum you need for pickup from a collection drive?

In order to schedule any pickup, we do require a minimum of 8 boxes or bags.

promoting your drive

Can you provide flyers or materials for social media we can use to promote?

Yes - this and more is found right in our donation drive packet - use whatever you like!

Can someone from your organization speak to our group or come to our event?

Unfortunately, usually not. While we’re unable to attend every event due to limited staffing, if your pop-up or mobile bookstore includes a collection drive, our team will already be on-site and happy to share more about our mission and model.

Do you have logos, photos, or approved language we can use in our outreach

Yes! All found in our drive packet!

Is it possible to tag your organization so you can reshare our posts?

Please do! We love when folks tag us so we can reshare to our networks about the amazing ways others are supporting our young adults through collection efforts.

partnership and support

Can we get a certificate or letter recognizing our contribution if needed?

Absolutely. If you need a letter for a service project please email us at bookdrives@mtwyouth.org so we can help.

What about tax receipts?

We provide a copy of blank tax receipts in our drive packet for your discretionary use. If anyone should need and individually emailed receipt or acknowledgement they should use our submission form here on our site.

Can we visit your organization?

Of course! Our stores are open to the public and staff love sharing about our mission. If you are running a collection drive as part of an upcoming group volunteer day, then you will get a tour of our entire program.

What happens to the items after we donate them?

When your donations get to us, our teams sort, process and resell accepted items in our brick and mortar, online and wholesale businesses.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

Bookdrives@mtwyouth.org