This long weekend many UBC households will take the opportunity to complete their spring cleaning. The extra day (or two) off from work/school allows the time to get those chores done that you may have been putting off for quite some time. In this week’s blog post I thought I would take the opportunity to let you know that this “spring cleaning” household event presents the perfect time to do some good for the local community – without any more effort than would already have been required from the seasonal sweep in the first place. In fact the following “directions” will actually help the process. When I say “directions” I am referring to places that you can take the excess clutter from your home and donate the items to a well worthy cause. That’s right, I’m asking you to consider ridding yourself of your unnecessary space-consuming possessions and potential hoarding tendencies at the same time.

 

What to Donate & Where to Donate Them - for Homes in the UBC Area:

 

Books to Your Local Library – Books are admirable items to collect but let’s be honest, the bulk of many libraries in the home do nothing more than collect dust. This is especially true for households in the UBC area where students that cannot unload old editions of course texts keep them on their shelves because they have a hard time getting rid of something that consumed such a large portion of their student budget. Be honest with yourself as to whether or not you will truly read/reference any of the hardcover and paperback space-takers in your hoard, and then separate the ones you will not likely crack open ever again. Box them up and check with the UBC/Point Grey area public libraries to see if they are accepting book donations at the moment. If not, then the Downtown Vancouver Public Library likely is, where demand from the metropolis is much bigger.

 

Lots of Things to Your Local SPCA – Many of us animal lovers already know that the local SPCA is often happy to accept blankets, chew toys, and pet food but the list is much larger than you think. You can rid yourself of many excess items in your home by referring to this BC SPCA Wish List which accepts everything from leaf blowers to stacks of photocopy paper.

 

Clothes to Your Local Big Brothers & Sisters – Cleaning out your closet can be one of the hardest things to do due to sentimental attachments to your personal fashion statements that have likely long passed. But making space in closets and drawers is one of the best ways to lighten the storage load in your home and there is nary an item that is as needed by local charities as much as clothing. Your local Big Brothers (and Sisters) are well known for taking excess clothing (in good condition) and putting them to good use. There are many clothing donation bins dotted throughout the Point Grey / UBC area and surrounding region, located at some point along your day to day commute. You may also refer to the local Big Brothers site here to see if they have any scheduled home pick-ups coming up for your community.

 

Food to Your Local Food Bank – If you’re anything like me than you may very well have gone a little crazy during a big sale at Costco and loaded your pantry so full of non-perishable goods that you could host canned bean, cereal, pasta, and peanut butter dinner parties for the next 5 years. Instead of subjecting your friends and family to these repeat (and a little odd) culinary performances donate your kitchen cupboard excess to your local food bank. Keep up to date on Point Grey / UBC area events that often accept food bank donations and bring them on down with the community of simply refer to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank website.

 

 Happy Cleaning (and Donating)!