Boxes of clothes to donate to a thrift store

Donation Guidelines

100% of our profits from your donations to our thrift stores directly support Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM) to fund their life-restoring programs. We appreciate every donation and recognize the trust you have placed in us to help others with your gently-used belongings. We work diligently to redeem your donation for the maximum value to support KARM.

In order to reduce costs and ensure the safety of our customers, we have established guidelines about what donations we can accept.

Please note: All clothing items and linens should be folded and placed in a clean bag. All other small items should be placed in stackable boxes with lids or flaps that close.

All items should be washed with no tears, stains, or mildew. We cannot accept any items that have odors from cigarettes, pets, or mothballs.

All items should be whole and in good condition with no significant tears, dents, or stains. Minor dents or scratches are acceptable. We cannot accept furniture with mildew, water damage, or strong cigarette/pet odors.

All electronics, such as TVs, stereos, and DVD/Blu-Ray players, must be in working condition with all knobs and buttons. Minor dents or scratches are acceptable.

All appliances, such as refrigerators, stoves, and washers/dryers, must be in working condition with all knobs and buttons and no significant damage. Minor dents or scratches are acceptable.

We Cannot Accept the Following Items:

  • Anything that has water damage from rain or floods
  • Combustible fuel in any tanks or containers
  • Used mattresses (can accept brand new mattresses)
  • Car seats and booster seats
  • Cribs with a sliding side rail
  • Building materials, including paint and carpet remnants
  • Auto parts, including tires
  • Built-in appliances, including dishwashers
  • Gas appliances
  • Used helmets, such as bicycle, motorcycle, and sports (can accept if brand new)
  • Used personal hygiene products, such as shampoo, lotions, and razors (can accept if brand new)
  • Inappropriate media, such as rated R movies, games with M ratings, and books/movies that promote non-Christian religions
  • Food and beverages, including pet food *Food donations are accepted at the ministry, but not at our stores*

Do you have items that are too large for you to bring to one of our donation centers? We offer Free Donation Pickup!

Your gift is tax-deductible. Knox Area Rescue Ministries is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. EIN 62-0670972