Declutter FOR A CAUSE

Old linens, luggage, kids clothes and toys and more make welcome charitable donations

On a recent Saturday morning bike ride with friends, the subject of what we were doing the rest of the day came up. One friend groaned, “I’m either cleaning my linen closet or doing my taxes.” “For sure the linen closet,” I said, offering my unasked-for opinion. “Not to guilt trip you, but children on the other side of the world could really use your old sheets.”

This project makes me realize how blessed we are, and how much we take for granted. Offering warmth and a blanket is such a simple act.”

Reidun Canon, a retired pediatric nurse associated with Lutheran World Relief Quilting Mission

A few weeks ago, I went to church and discovered it was Quilt Sunday. Draped over the back of every row of seats throughout the sanctuary were quilts — 101 of them. The church’s quilting circle had been busy, and now these quilts — and nearly 200,000 more from churches across America — were about to go to areas recovering from natural disasters, or where war has driven families from their homes, or wherever people need warm bedding, simple tents or floor coverings.

And they were largely made possible by people cleaning out their closets and donating old sheets, which quilters use to back the quilts, and pieces of fabric used to make the quilt tops.

Wait, you can declutter and help solve global issues?

Last year, the Lutheran World Relief Quilting Mission sent 194,983 quilts all over the world, including 26,000 to Tanzania and 36,000 to Turkey and Ukraine. Reidun Canon, a retired pediatric nurse, has been part of my church’s quilting group for 10 years. “This project makes me realize how blessed we are,” she said, “and how much we take for granted. Offering warmth and a blanket is such a simple act.”

So is cleaning out your linen closet and giving your gently used sheets and fabric remnants to the cause.

All this got me thinking about what else we have tucked away unused in closets that could bring relief to others, if we only knew where to donate them. So, I did a little research. If you’re looking for a good reason to clean out your closets, consider these worthy causes.

CLEAN, GENTLY USED SHEETS >> Box these up and call the Lutheran church nearest you. Ask if they have a quilting program affiliated with the

Lutheran World Relief effort and how you can donate material. Sheets can be any size or pattern, but they must be clean, unstained and in good condition, Canon said.

COTTON FABRICS >> Quilters also welcome colorful fabrics, which they use to make squares for quilt tops. “A lot of seamstresses have stashed boxes of fabric they thought they would use some day, but it never happened,” Canon said. Old cotton curtains work well.

Fabrics must be washable and in good condition. Cotton weave and cotton/polyester blends are ideal. What won’t work is fleece, leather, terry cloth, velvet, wool or silk. “We also cannot accept any fabrics that have military, religious or patriotic symbols,” Canon said, “because we don’t know where in the world the quilts will end up.”

OLD TOWELS >> Closer to home, local animal rescues and shelters appreciate donations of used, clean towels to use for bedding and to dry animals after their baths, said Carey Kuhl, a moving concierge who helps people manage their belongings when they relocate.

STUFFED ANIMALS >> The same animal rescues also often welcome stuffed animals to tuck into crates to keep their four-legged charges company, Kuhl said.

KIDS’ CLOTHES AND TOYS >> When a child comes into foster care, many foster parents run to their local Foster Closet — there’s one in almost every community nationwide — to get age-appropriate clothes and toys, said Mara Shorr, a former foster parent and volunteer child advocate. If you have clothing and toys in good condition to donate, find a Foster Closet near you.

LUGGAGE >> Suitcases, duffels, backpacks or cosmetic travel bags can be a big help to foster kids, said Shorr, who coordinates luggage donations in the Orlando, Florida, area. “Youths in foster care have to change homes often, and when they do, many end up putting their belongings in a garbage bag,” she said. “Your donated luggage can help them move with dignity.”

See if your community has a CASA agency (for court appointed special advocate), or a guardian ad litem program, she said. Ask them to steer you toward a group home that houses foster kids that will accept donations of luggage, duffels and backpacks, which foster kids need for school. Please only donate bags in good shape, with no rips, stains or broken zippers. If you have unused travel-size toiletries from prior hotel stays, stick those in, too.

Now, go clean your closet, then do your taxes.

Marni Jameson is the author of seven books, including the new “Rightsize Today to Create Your Best Life Tomorrow.” Reach her at marnijameson.com.

PHOTOS BY GETTY IMAGES