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Homeless Shelter In-Kind Donations
Frequently Asked Questions
The American Red Cross Homeless Shelter of Lower Bucks County, PA provides safe, temporary lodging and social services to an ever-changing population of approximately 80 of Lower Bucks’ homeless, half of which are usually children under 18 years of age. Their care is dependent upon donors, like you. Your donations help to feed and clothe our residents and add to their general quality of life. Thank you, in advance for your generous donation.
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I need information about helping during the holidays.
If you need information about receiving holiday help, helping out a needy family for the holidays, or donating holiday goods or services contact William Burns at wburns@redcrosslbcc.org.
Can the American Red Cross place a value on my non-cash charitable contribution for me?
No. The IRS requires the donor to assign values. Some acceptable methods are receipts, estimated resale value replacement cost or qualified appraisal. Regardless of the method used, consideration should be given to the age, condition, quality, style and use of the donated articles.
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What documentation should I obtain at the time of my donation?
Where practical, a receipt from the American Red Cross Homeless Shelter should be obtained specifying your name or the name of your organization, date and value of the contribution as well as a reasonably detailed description of the donated property. Your contribution is tax-deductible. In many cases, the donor (you) will request valuation assistance from a tax advisor at a later date so item descriptions should be as specific as possible (particularly with respect to quality, age and condition).
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I lost my donation receipt. Can the American Red Cross give me another copy?
Unfortunately, the American Red Cross of Lower Bucks County cannot give duplicate copies of donation receipts. Please safeguard your receipts, as this is the only copy available.
Where can I drop off my donation?
Donations for the Homeless Shelter can be dropped off at 7 Library Way, Levittown, PA 19055.
Can I present my gift to the residents personally?
No. In order to maintain the confidentiality of our residents, you will not have the opportunity to meet with them but please know how much your donation helps.
Can the Red Cross help with paying my heating bills?
No. The American Red Cross does not offer emergency assistance to help pay utility bills. For help in Pennsylvania with heating bills or a heating emergency, contact the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) toll-free at 1-866-857-7095, TDD for the Hearing Impaired at 1-800-451-5886 or at www.compass.state.pa.us.
Can I donate my vehicle?
Yes! To donate vehicles call 1-800-737-0265 or click here: http://www.charitydispatch.com/southeastern-pennsylvania/. This service may include a free pick-up of your vehicle and is tax deductible for you.
What if I have further questions about donating?
If you are still unsure of what item(s) to purchase or collect, or would like guidance on holding your own donation drive for the Homeless Shelter, please contact Bill Burns at wburns@redcrosslbcc.org or 215-949-1727 ext. 212
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What items can I donate to the Homeless Shelter? |
The Homeless Shelter always accepts cash donations and gift cards to local retailers and may also accept the following items in new or good condition:
- Cash donations
- Gift Cards to Local Retailers
- New (Not Used) Bedspreads, blankets, sheets, pillowcases
- Non-expired, Non-perishable food
- New, Un-opened personal care items (toothpaste, deodorant, razors, etc.)
- New Paper products (plates, napkins, cups, plastic silverware)
- New Baby Supplies (jar food, diapers, baby wipes, etc.)
- New clothing
- New and Used Bicycles
- New Sporting equipment
The Homeless Shelter has to kindly say, "No thank you," to the following items:
We do not need, and cannot store used clothing, furniture or toys.
- Alcohol
- Automobile or truck parts, oil, gasoline, etc.
- Building materials
- Carpet
- Cell Phones and Chargers
- Clothing (Used)
- Computers/Printers/Game Consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, etc.)
- Decorative Items/Home Furnishings
- Lawn mowers, playground and swing sets
- Firearms/projectiles of any kind
- Frozen/Refrigerated Food- Except from Distributors (Due to Health Safety Concerns)
- Furnaces, wall heaters
- Furniture
- Grills
- Hospital Beds
- Flammable materials
- Kitchen & bathroom fixtures
- Major Appliances
- Mattresses or Box springs
- Newspapers/magazines
- Scrap Metal
- Silverware
- Televisions/VCRs/DVD Players
- Toys
- Used Books, DVDs
- Used Clothing
- Used underwear, socks, bedding and linens
Donations are accepted on the basis of needed resources. There are some items that we kindly have to decline either due to storage space or available manpower to sort/clean/distribute items. Additional referrals to other agencies that may be able to accept donations are available upon request.
What other agencies will accept my In-Kind items?
Additional Agencies
(These partner agencies may or may not be able to receive donations that the Homeless Shelter cannot accept. Please contact them directly to discuss making a donation. The American Red Cross Homeless Shelter is not responsible for contacting any agencies or transporting donations. For a more complete list of local agencies, please consult your phone book or search online.) |
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Accepts Clothing |
Emilie United Methodist Church
New Falls Rd.
Levittown, PA 19055
215-945-5502 |
The Military Order of the
Purple Heart Service
Neshaminy Plaza 1
3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 216
Bensalem, PA 19020
215-638-1020
http://www.purpleheartpickup.org/ |
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| Accepts Clothing and Housewares |
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Goodwill Industries Foundation
1913 Street Rd
Bensalem, PA 19020
(215) 638-1540
yourgoodwill.org
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The Salvation Army, Levittown Corps
8724 New Falls Rd.
Levittown, PA
215-547-2547
http://www.satruck.com/ |
Bucks County Association
for the Blind and Visually
Impaired Thrift Shop
400 Freedom Drive
Newtown, PA 18940
215-968-2010 |
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| Accepts Cell Phones |
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A Woman’s Place – Supports victims
of domestic violence in Bucks County
PO Box 299 Doylestown, PA 18901
www.awomansplace.org |
NOVA Thrift Shop – Advocacy agency for victims
1628 Swamp Rd.
Fountainville, PA 18923
215-249-8000 www.novabucks.org |
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Accepts Furniture/Housewares
(May be able to pick up your donation) |
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Deserving Décor – Cleans, furnishes
and decorates transitional housing for homeless families 215-230-3467 – Call
or visit website to set up appointment for drop off or pick up http://www.deservingdecor.org/ |
Interfaith Housing Development
Corporation of Bucks County
100 Corell Dr. #600
Suite 102
Bristol, PA 19007
215-945-8630 http://www.ihdcbc.org/ |
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| Accepts medical devices and equipment |
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HealthLink Medical Center -
A free clinic serving the uninsured in
Bucks and Montgomery Counties.
1775 Street Rd. Southampton, PA 18966
215-364-4247
http://www.healthlinkmedical.org/ |
C.A.R.E.
8 Industry Court
Ewing, NJ 08638
609-530-1513
http://yourresourcenj.org/ |
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| Accepts Toys |
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Toys For Tots
http://www.toysfortots.org/ |
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Bucks County Non-Profit Organizations Wish Lists |
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http://www.buckscounty.org/government
/departments/humanservices
/NonProfitWishList.aspx |
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Food Pantries in Bucks County |
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Hunger Nutrition Coalition of Bucks Countyhttp://foodinbucks.org/ |
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| Information on Recycling Various Household Items |
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Guide to Recycling in Bucks County
http://www.buckscounty.org/
government/departments/Community
Services/PlanningCommission
/RecyclingGuide2008.pdf |
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