FAQ - Community Service Office

1. Where can I donate used clothing?

Used clothing can be donated to any thrift store or re-sale shop in the area, including Goodwill and Salvation Army. Many female students want their clothes to benefit a women's shelter or low-income women. Options for donation include:
- National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Resale Shop: proceeds benefit women's shelters and domestic violence prevention. 8612 Olive Blvd. 692-8141
- Dress for Success: Assists low-income women making transitions into the workforce by providing interview clothing. downtown St. Louis location
Formal dresses and accessories can be donated to the Glass Slipper Project a nonprofit organization which collects donations of new and "gently worn" formal dresses and accessories and donates them to financially disadvantaged Chicago high school students so they can attend their proms in style! This year, they helped 700 young women attend their proms.

2. How can I donate my cellphone?

The Community Service Office collects cell phone donations on an ongoing basis. Click here to learn more.

3. Where can I donate used computers and other electronic equipment?

Web Innovations and Technology Services will recycle and refrurbish old computers and other electronic equipment for families in need. Equipment can be dropped off or pick-up can be arranged. The organization accepts working and nonworking consumer electronics, including computers, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, televisions, radios, and VCRs. Donating items is free but a $40 donation per computer will help pay for expenses.
For more information about recycling old electronic equipment, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's "Plug In to E-Cycling" page.
The Electronic Industries Alliance features a searchable list of electronic recyclers by state.

4. How can I find out about community service in my hometown?

Contact your local United Way to find out about volunteer opportunities in your area.
Visit www.helping.org to find out about local volunteer opportunities.
Contact a local volunteer action center or even look in the phonebook!

5. How can I find child-friendly and/or family-friendly volunteer opportunities?

The United Way's St. Louis Cares program organizes one-time volunteer opportunities throughout the St. Louis region, many of which are family-friendly.
Use our St. Louis Non-Profit Database to search for St. Louis community agencies of interest; Contact agencies and find out if they have volunteer opportunities appropriate for children.

6. How can I find tutoring resources for my K-12 child?

Washington University students provide tutoring at specific public schools, through programs including Each One Teach One, Greg Delos Y-Tutor, and Y-Read. For additional tutoring resources, click here to download St. Louis Tutoring Resources for Parents of K-12 Students.

7. How can I make a donation online?

www.give.org is the site for the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. The Alliance reports on nationally soliciting charitable organizations that are the subject of donor inquiries. These reports include an evaluation of the subject charity in relation to the voluntary BBB charity standards. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers guidance to donors on making informed giving decisions through our charity evaluations, various "tips" publications, and publishes the quarterly Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Guide.
www.guidestar.org provides a national database of non-profit organizations, built on the belief that Nonprofit data fuels informed philanthropic decisions so donors can give confidently. Since 1994, GuideStar has focused on facilitating access to information about the operations and finances of nonprofit organizations. Their vision is to create an interactive "marketplace of information" that connects nonprofit organizations, donors, foundations, and businesses. This connection will serve as the backbone of a more effective, efficient, and well-informed nonprofit sector.
www.helping.org is a non-profit site financed by the AOL Foundation. There, you can donate to any benefit registered with the IRS as a tax-exempt organization. Your entire contribution goes to the organization you name, usually within two weeks - and the organization pays no fees.

8. How can I find "click-to-donate" sites online?


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