Tips on donating to Tossed & Found

   Donating to The Tossed & Found Boutique seems straightforward, right? Round up the items that no longer spark joy, stick them in boxes or bags and drop them off.  We are always looking for donations, of course, but here are some guidelines to keep in mind.

   First, ask yourself whether you would give the item to somebody you know.  If the answer is yes, it’s highly likely that we can sell it at the Tossed & Found. However, if the answer is no, then it’s probably not something we can sell, especially if it’s broken or unusable. These items end up being disposed of, which costs us money.

What to donate,

or not?

   The general list of items we can and cannot take is posted on our Facebook page and available in our store. Along with the types of items, another important consideration is the condition. Anything that is broken, unsanitary, has been recalled, or causes a safety liability is not sellable.  When in doubt, give us a call or check the Consumer Product Safety Commission to verify if an item has been recalled.  We greatly appreciate all the wonderful donors who observe our guidelines, because that is what keeps our doors open.

What happens to 

donated items the store can’t sell?

   Our goal is to sell as much as possible in our store and to minimize the amount going into landfills. So, if we cannot use certain items, we offer them to other worthy causes, such as other non-profits or recyclers.  Our very last resort is to pay for disposal of unusable goods, which decreases the funds we have available to support the Longville Area Food Shelf.  

   We’re proud to say the Tossed & Found pays all the overhead costs for the Food Shelf, so that every dollar donated by our community goes to buy food for our neighbors in need. We appreciate our generous donors and customers who help make this possible.