The Salvation Army is one of Canada’s most recognized charities. It’s also the largest non-governmental provider of social services in the country, operating thrift stores, shelters, and community programs that support those in need.
Donating to the Salvation Army (SA) is a win-win for everyone:
This guide explains how Salvation Army donations in Canada work, what items you can donate, and how to prepare them for drop-off or shipping.
Think twice before you throw unwanted clothing and items in the garbage bin. A donation of goods to the Salvation Army can have a significant social and environmental impact.
The Salvation Army accepts all kinds of goods and household items, including:
While preparing your donation, be sure to check the guidelines for your local Salvation Army, as rules may vary by city.
It’s important (and respectful) to make sure any items being donated are clean, not too worn out, and fully functional. Broken items should be fixed before donating, and all clothing should be laundered first.
Mattresses and large appliances can be donated to the Habitat for Humanity Restore in Canada. You can drop off smaller items at a refuse station near you.
HOT TIP: There is a whole demographic of industrious, creative types who restore furniture and old items as a hobby (or passion). You can even list broken furniture for free on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji before hauling it away. Someone will likely scoop it up, reducing landfill waste and saving you the trip.
If you’re mainly looking to give away clothing, check out our dedicated guide to donating clothes in Canada.
While the Salvation Army doesn't offer pickup services in Canada, there are still a few easy ways to make sure your donations get to where they need to go.
Bring your clean, gently used items to any Salvation Army thrift store. Most stores reward donors with a 20% off coupon for their next purchase.
Gather friends, family, or coworkers for a fun Donation Party. Collect gently used clothing, household goods, and small items to donate to the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
This is great motivation for everyone to declutter and downsize. A group donation also means just one drop-off trip instead of several.
Businesses can support the Salvation Army Thrift Store by organising corporate donations. Companies often host collection drives where employees bring in items, which are then delivered together to a local store.
This helps to:
Ontario donors have the convenient option of shipping donations for free to the Salvation Army.
Here's how it works:
Before donating to the Salvation Army Thrift Store, make sure your items are clean and in good working condition.
Taking a little time to prepare your donations makes things easier for the thrift store staff to receive and process.
No, the Salvation Army no longer offers pickup services. Instead, use drop-off, shipping (Ontario), or organize group donations.
Yes, clean and undamaged furniture is welcome. Large appliances, however, are not accepted.
No, but you can bring them to a Habitat for Humanity Restore.
Items are sold at thrift stores to fund shelters, rehab centres, and community programs across Canada.
Donating to Salvation Army Thrift Stores is a simple way to declutter, support your community, and extend the life of your household items. Your contributions make a meaningful difference for both the environment and the people who benefit from these programs.
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