For donations, recycling, and the moments when you need more than an organizer. Clients who work with Nest Well receive a fuller, personally vetted version of this guide.
Compiled by Heather Baseley · Nest Well Professional Organizing · San Antonio & Bexar County
Start here — broad acceptance, multiple categories
San Antonio's largest homeless services campus — 1,700 people served daily — accepts clothing (men's, women's, and children's), shoes and boots, new undergarments, cold weather gear, small household furniture, kitchenware, linens, bath towels, travel-size hygiene items, and apartment décor. Clients pick out their own items. Note: no large furniture, mattresses, or couches. Donation center at 1 Haven for Hope Way, Mon–Sat 9am–5pm.
Accepts household goods, furniture, and toiletries to help families transitioning out of homelessness. Drop off at the SAMMExpress Donation Station, 910 Oblate Dr, Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.
Clothing, shoes, housewares, and more. Multiple drop-off locations across Bexar County; home pickup available for larger loads. Also accepts fabric for recycling — bag it separately and mark it "fabric recycling."
Clothing, furniture, and household items across a wide range. Free pickup available for large items.
Building materials, appliances, furniture, tools, and home décor — new and gently used. Proceeds support local affordable housing.
Accepts clothing, shoes, bedding, housewares, jewelry, cosmetics, toys, bikes, small furniture, tools, and small appliances year-round. Schedule a free pickup online — leave bags or boxes outside on the designated day, and they leave a tax receipt whether you're home or not. Schedule at sotxpickup.org or call 1-800-775-8387.
Women, children & families in crisis
The Battered Women & Children's Shelter — San Antonio's primary domestic violence shelter, serving up to 200 people at a time. Accepts clothing, kitchen goods, toys, books, blankets, linens, and household items.
Serving abused, neglected, and abandoned children in San Antonio since 1901. Accepts new and gently used children's clothing, baby items, and necessities. Contact development@chshel.org for current needs.
A residential shelter and wraparound program for pregnant and parenting teen mothers ages 12–17 who have experienced abuse or neglect, and their babies. Run by Catholic Charities. Check their wishlist before dropping off.
A trauma-focused care center for children going through the abuse investigation and court process. Accepts new or gently used stuffed animals — each child who comes through picks one out as part of their healing.
Supports children ages 3–18 and their families grieving the death of a loved one. Accepts monetary donations and wishlist items including new teddy bears, given to every child who begins the program.
When the item needs a meaningful destination
Professional attire — suits, work clothes, shoes, accessories — goes directly to women preparing to enter or return to the workforce. Drop-off Mon–Thu, 9am–noon, 600 N. Frio St.
Bras and period products for women and girls experiencing homelessness or hardship. Items that feel wrong to discard anywhere else belong here.
Wedding dresses up to three years old, donated to military brides and brides in need. For a dress that carries too much meaning to go anywhere else.
Accepts donated medical equipment — wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, shower chairs — and redistributes it at no cost to people in need right here in San Antonio.
Collects used eyeglasses — prescription and non-prescription — and distributes them to people who can't afford eye care. Most local optometrist offices also serve as drop-off points.
Non-perishable food at multiple Bexar County locations. One of the largest food banks in the nation.
For the item with nowhere obvious to go
San Antonio's only art supply thrift store — accepts craft supplies, paper goods, fabric, yarn, containers, office materials, beads, and just about anything with creative potential. In 2024, kept over 31,000 pounds of materials out of the landfill. Open Thu & Sun 10am–2pm, Fri & Sat 10am–6pm, 13491 Wetmore Rd.
Post what you have; a neighbor comes and picks it up. Nothing goes to a landfill, and nothing requires a trip across town.
Pet supplies
San Antonio's oldest and largest no-kill shelter. Drop stations at Nacogdoches Rd and Tuleta Dr, open daily 11am–7pm.
Donated supplies help care for thousands of homeless and neglected animals each year.
Focused on saving at-risk animals from euthanasia. Accepts supply donations and always needs fosters.
Not sure where your project fits in with everything you're working through? Schedule The Nest Call — twenty to thirty minutes, no pressure.
Fabric & textiles
Accepts fabric no longer fit for resale for textile recycling. Bag it separately and mark it "fabric recycling" — they'll route it correctly.
Fill any cardboard box with gently used clothing, shoes, or accessories, print a free shipping label, and drop at any Kohl's (no label needed there) or UPS/FedEx. Best for items still in good condition.
For textiles that are worn out, stained, or no longer usable. Fill the bag, generate a free shipping label, drop at any UPS. Diverts fabric from landfill regardless of condition.
Electronics & batteries
Accepts electronics at no charge — TVs, computers, phones, and small appliances.
Accepts batteries of all sizes, light bulbs, and small electronics.
Drop-off recycling for office supplies, ink cartridges, and tech items.
Hazardous & hard-to-recycle materials
Schedule bulk item pickup and access hazardous household waste drop-off events — paint, chemicals, and items that can't go in the bin.
Accepts hard-to-recycle items including cosmetics packaging and cleaning product containers.
Search by material and zip code to find the right local drop-off for nearly anything — motor oil, medication, mattresses, and more.
On-site and drop-off shredding for residential clients.
Many local locations offer drop-off shredding by the pound.
Drop-off shredding available at local locations.
Full-service haul-away — they load so you don't have to lift a thing.
Furniture removal and haul-away, including donation runs when items are in good condition.
Education, advocacy, and support for individuals with ADHD and the professionals who work with them.
The world's leading adult ADHD organization, focused on resources and community for adults.
Local meetings and community support in Bexar County.
Research and education on chronic disorganization. Includes a directory to find specialists and public resources.
Community support and education for adults who grew up in a hoarding environment.
Resources for individuals living with OCD and hoarding disorder, including a therapist finder.
Connects Bexar County seniors to home care, transportation, and benefits assistance.
Free support and education for individuals and families affected by mental illness, including older adults.
The nation's largest grassroots mental health organization.
Call or text 2-1-1 to connect with local health and human services in Bexar County — mental health, housing, and crisis support.
A secure digital vault for organizing important documents, accounts, and family information. Worth exploring if you're working on legacy planning or just want peace of mind.
Want more?
Clients who work with Nest Well receive a fuller version of this guide — vetted local vendors, personal recommendations, and notes on what to expect from each resource.
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