Important: Physical donations are only accepted in the Madison WI area.
Want to donate? Just 1-2-3!
- Check below for a full list of items we can and cannot accept. We ask that any items you donate be new or gently used, clean, and in good condition.
- Email a description of your item(s) to donations@odfr.org. For furniture, please include its dimensions and a photo.
- Wait to hear back from us for confirmation! We will let you know whether we are able to take your items and will either schedule a pick up or give you a drop-off location convenient for you.
Questions? Email donations@odfr.org. Thank you for your generosity!
Donating Furniture and Household Items
Open Doors collects and stores furniture, appliances, and household items generously given to us by the Madison community, and uses these items to furnish apartments for new refugee families. This is a crucial and initial part of helping welcome them into a safe, warm, and inviting home as they start new lives here in Madison.
Giving refugee families a furnished home would be impossible without your generosity. Thank you for your interest in our work and your willingness to give.
Current Donation Needs
Appliances: vacuums, TV antennas, small-medium sized flat screen TVs, bathroom plungers (unused)
Housewares: full size sheets, new bed pillows, new brooms and dustpans, floor and table lamps, twin mattress pads (not waterproof and not mattress protectors), twin blankets, bath mats , full sized blankets, sewing machines (new or need fixing), sewing supplies (accessories, fabric, shears), , mops and buckets, shower curtains, twin size sheets
Items Collected by Open Doors
This is a comprehensive list of the items we collect and use to stock apartments for new arrivals, but our needs vary depending on what we have in storage. For our most current list of needed items, please see our Facebook page. We ask that donated items be clean and either new or gently used and in good condition. Thank you for your generosity!
Kitchenware
- Dorm-sized microwaves
- Microwave-safe dish sets
- Drinking glasses (no stemware)
- Pots and pans with lids (no non-stick)
- Skillets with lids (no non-stick)
- Mixing bowls
- Serving bowls and platters
- Colanders and sieves
- Platters
- Baking pans
- Cookie sheets
- Flatware
- Cutlery organizers
- Teapots and kettles
- Water pitchers
- Kitchen utensils
- Can openers
- Knives
- Cutting boards
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Graters
- Dish drainers
- Food storage containers
- Potholders
- Hot pads
- Dish towels
- Dish cloths
- Placemats and napkins
- Paper towels and holders
- Aluminum foil
- Zippered bags in all sizes
- Tall kitchen trash cans (13-gallon)
- Trash can liners
Furniture
- Sofas and loveseats in good condition (no sleeper sofas)
- Easy chairs in good condition (no recliners)
- Dining tables (to seat 4-6)
- Dining chairs
- Coffee tables
- End tables
- TV stands
- Dressers
- Night stands
Cleaning Supplies
- Dish detergent and dishwasher detergent
- All-purpose cleaners like PineSol
- New brooms and dustpans
- New toilet brushes and cleaners
- Laundry detergent
- Bathroom plungers (unused)
Bathroom Supplies
- Shower curtains and liners
- Bath towels, hand towels, washcloths
- Bath mats
- Toilet paper
- Shampoo, deodorant, razors, shave cream
- Lotions
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Bath soap
- Soap dishes and toothbrush holders
- Feminine hygiene (pads only)
Bedroom Supplies
- Laundry baskets
- Mattress pads, twin and full (not waterproof)
- Sheets and pillow cases, twin and full
- Pillows (must be new)
- Blankets
- Clean quilts and comforters, twin and full
- Plug-in alarm clocks
Miscellaneous Items
- Vacuum cleaners in good working order, extra bags
- Smaller flat-screen TVs
- TV remotes and antennas
- Floor and table lamps
- Doormats and boot trays
- Clothes hangers
- Flashlights and batteries
- First-aid kits
- New small fire extinguishers
- Sewing machines (new or need fixing)
- Sewing supplies (accessories, fabric, shears)
Items We Cannot Accept
Kitchenware
- Non-stick cookware
- Coffee makers and other small kitchen appliances.
- Wine glasses
Furniture
- Sleeper sofas
- Recliners and gliders
- Bookshelves
- Hutches
Bedroom Supplies
- Bed frames (other than bunk beds)
- Box springs
- Mattresses
- Mattress protectors
- Waterproof mattress pads
- Queen or king sheet sets
- Down blankets
- Used pillows
Miscellaneous Items
- Clothes (other than outer winter wear)
- Luggage
- Strollers
- High chairs
- Child car seats