FAQ

Volunteering

Q: This event sounds amazing. How can I help?

A: Hooray! Since this event is run by volunteers we can use lots of help! If you are interested in helping with publicity, sorting donations, collecting donations or bringing me cookies (j/k), I can use you! Email MNGiftsOfTheHeart@gmail.com and let me know what you'd like to do, and I'll put you to work! Thank you, thank you!

Q: What are some of the things volunteers do?

A: Prior to the event, volunteers transport donations to the event site, sort through and organize donations, fold clothing, set up tables, fold clothing, lay out donations, fold clothing, clean toys, fold clothing, set up clothing racks, hang clothing and fold clothing.

During the event we ask volunteers greet patrons as they enter, help them find what they are needing, keep the tables and display areas tidy, accept and sort any donations that are brought that day.

After the event, volunteers will help bag up left over clothing, box up other items and prepare them for transport to a donation center, break down and put away tables, do some light cleaning (vacuuming and sweeping). 

Donations

Q: What can I donate? Are there items you won't accept?

A: If you have clothing, toys or baby gear that you or your kids have outgrown (or just don't use anymore), you can donate them to our event. We accept good quality children's, women's and men's clothing, children's toys and baby gear. We do not accept electronics, expired car seats, over-used household items or anything that you wouldn't be willing to take home with you.

Please sort your clothing donations into these categories and put them in a marked bag--a permanent marker on a plastic grocery bag works well!

Indicate Boy/Girl and then 
0-6 month
6-12 month
12-18 month
2T
3T
4T
5-6
7-8
10-12
14+
Maternity (S/M/L/XL)
Women's (S/M/L/XL)
Men's (S/M/L/XL)
Baby gear
Toys
Shoes

Please: no couches, mattresses or other large furniture.

You can drop off you donations at the building the Friday before the exchange from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m., or contact Dezra atMNGiftsOfTheHeart@gmail.com to arrange a different time to donate. Thank you for donating! Without your generosity we wouldn't be able to stage this event.

Q: What are some other ways I can help MN Gifts of the Heart?

A: In addition to donations of items to give away, MN Gifts of the Heart is in need of the following:

Storage Totes - 18 gallon-size
As donations come in during the weeks prior to the event, safe and pest-resistant storage becomes a necessity. As this event is entirely staffed by volunteers, the donations are kept in residential garages, sometimes piled precariously high, in all sorts of bags, boxes and miscellaneous containers. Putting the clothing and other small items in storage buckets enables them to be safely stacked and provides the added bonus of protecting the donations from pests. 


Portable hanging racks 
It's easier to find what you need if it's hanging up, rather than digging through stacks of folded clothing. The more we can hang, the easier it is for our patrons to find what they need and the more good your donations can do. Hanging racks can be donated or lent to MN Gifts of the Heart. If you can lend us a rack, please clearly label it with your name and phone number so we can ensure its safe return. 

Hangers
The more racks we acquire, the more hangers we'll need, so if you have any wire or plastic hangers cluttering up your closets, this is a great way to put them to better use.