Winter is coming, and while, for many, this means that the holidays are near, for others it means that they will spend a cold night without shelter or food. During these cold, wet months, consider taking a journey to the back of your closet to find some winter clothes that you no longer wear, because somebody else will! We have created a list of local places where you can donate clothes, food, money and other items to people and animals in need. 

• Hope & Safety Alliance

Hope & Safety Alliance is a survivor center which provides survivors of domestic and sexual violence with shelter, as well as a crisis line and other necesities such as clothing, food and anything their kids may need. 

Hope & Safety Alliance welcomes donations such as clothing, baby diapers, toilet paper, deodorant, women’s underwear, cleaning supplies and more. If you wish to donate, The Alliance has a list of needed items which is updated with the current necessities of the survivors. 

The Alliance is also looking for some beauty products and holiday items for this coming celebrations—make sure to check the list for more details.

Since the safety of the survivors is their top priority, the address of the shelters is private, but donations can be dropped off at the Hope & Safety Alliance main office at 1577 Pearl Street between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call ahead to let The Alliance know if you are bringing donations at (541) 485-8232.

• Heartland Humane Society Thrift Store

Heartland Humane Society Thrift Store is a shop that sells items and receives donations for the benefit of Heartland animal shelter to help take care of the animals at the shelter.

The Thrift Store accepts donations such as furniture, housing goods, books, toys, clothing, collectibles and more. For a complete list of acceptable donations, visit their website.

Directions to drop off donations: 

Heartland Humane Society Thrift Store is between Bike N Hike and Subway in Corvallis, Ore. across the street from the Safeway parking lot. Their large donation doors face the alley between the thrift shop and 2nd St. Park just outside their double doors in the alley and ring the bell to receive assistance with your donation.

• Vina Moses Center

Vina Moses Center aids people that are going through hardship by providing household goods, clothing and food. If you have items that you would like to donate, check the needs list on their website. This winter, the center is asking for some specific items such as blankets, gloves, hand and foot warmers, hoodies, tents, holiday-themed wrapping paper, ribbons, tape and others.

Donations are accepted Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m. Call (541) 753-1420 for more information, or visit their website. 

• South Corvallis Food Bank

The South Corvallis Food Bank distributes food to people in the south Corvallis, Ore. area. They are currently looking for condiments, instant side dishes, sweet snacks, can openers, personal care items such as feminine hygiene products, baby wipes, and more. For an up-to-date list, visit their website. 

Donations are accepted during their regular open hours Monday and Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to noon, at 1800 SW 3rd St. Suite 110, Corvallis, OR 97333. For more information, call (541) 753-4263 or email [email protected].

• Human Services Resources Center Food Pantry at OSU

Oregon State University Food Pantry is currently accepting food donations. The food pantry helps students in need of food. They currently have a food pantry wish list—some products that the food pantry is looking for include: 

• Gluten-free items
• Vegan options
• Fresh produce
• Spices
• Sauces
• Hygiene products (shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, etc)
• Cleaning supplies (all-purpose cleaner, paper towels, etc.)
• Monetary donations

Donations are accepted at Champinefu Lodge, located at 1030 SW Madison Ave. Corvallis, OR 97333 from Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. More information about how to donate to OSU’s food pantry can be found on their website, or you can also contact them by email. 

• Unity US shelter

Unity US Shelter is the umbrella organization that brings together programs such as The Mens Shelter, SafePlace and Room at the Inn. Their mission is to “Provide Safe Shelter Through Collaborative Care,” according to their website.

Unity US Shelter is currently looking for money donations to urgently improve the shelter installations such as restrooms, showers, HVAC and electrical updates and creating office space for staff and partner agencies. Whether you donate $5 or more, every dollar counts. 

If you wish to donate you can do so online using this form, you can also donate by check by mailing your donation at Unity Shelter at 4515 SW West Hills Rd., Corvallis, OR 97333.

Donations of stocks and mutual funds are also accepted. If you wish to make this kind of donation, contact Deb Rose at [email protected]. Donations can also be sent by text, please text the dollar amount of your donation to (844) 703-0862.

According to their Q&A section, Room at the Inn’s website states, “We have very limited storage space at Room at the Inn; however, we accept donated socks, scarves, hats, gloves, panties, scrub/yoga pants and tops, and t-shirts. We refer guests to Vina Moses for other clothing needs.”

According to their Q&A section, the Mens Shelter website states, “The public can help by donating materials and supplies to support our operations. These items can be dropped off at The Mens Shelter during open hours (every day from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.) or at The Corvallis Daytime Drop-in Center where these items will be distributed.”

The Men’s Shelter needs:

• Paper cups, paper plates, napkins, lunch bags and disposable utensils
• Towels
• Snacks, bottled water and juice
• Hygiene supplies
• Socks, underwear and seasonally appropriate clothing
• Please remember to follow COVID-19 safeguards for donation drop-offs and plan your drop-off while you are out on essential errands   
  

The procedure to donate to the Mens Shelter is as follows:

• Schedule a drop-off location and time
• Wash and sanitize your hands
• Wear a protective mask and gloves
• Keep a safe distance from others
• Sanitize hard surfaces before sharing contents

According to their Q&A section, the SafePlace website states, “If you’re interested in contributing to Safe Camp or SafePlace or to help build additional microshelters, information on how to donate can be found…through the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s website (be sure to specify whether your donations are for Safe Camp, SafePlace or microshelter construction).”

To donate directly to SafePlace, you can donate here.