As Canberrans begin their annual spring clean, wardrobes, cupboards and garages across the region are filling with items ready for a second life. This spring, Vinnies is encouraging the community to think differently about what they donate and how a thoughtful donation can create lasting local impact.
Every quality donation helps more than just the person who eventually takes it home. Proceeds from Vinnies Shops help fund services that support people experiencing homelessness, disadvantage and financial hardship across Canberra, Goulburn and surrounding regions. From emergency relief and food assistance to homelessness services and community support programs, every item sold in a Vinnies Shop helps generate funds that can be reinvested into supporting local people when they need it most.
Behind every donation is a remarkable operation. In 2025-26, the Vinnies Distribution Centre in Mitchell processed 162,384 bags of donated good; sorted 75,343 bags and 32,313 boxes; and distributed more than 16,500 clothing boxes to Vinnies Shops across the region. By keeping quality goods in circulation, Vinnies helped divert nearly 3,000 tonnes of materials from landfill.
But not everything donated can be sold or reused.
Many people assume that if they no longer want an item, someone else will be able to use it. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case.
Broken household goods, incomplete sets, damaged furniture, unsafe electrical items and heavily worn homewares often cannot be sold.
Instead, they require additional handling, transport and disposal, consuming valuable time, resources and disposal costs that could otherwise be used to support people experiencing hardship.
“We can’t afford to become a transfer station for unwanted goods,” Lindsay Rae, Director of Commercial Operations, St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn, said.
“Our goal is to raise funds for people experiencing hardship by giving quality items a second life. Every item we sell helps provide practical support to local people, from food and clothing to emergency assistance.
“Goods that can’t be sold cost us money to dispose of, and reduce the funds available to put food on the table, keep people housed and support local families doing it tough.”
Household goods present one of the biggest challenges. While quality kitchenware, furniture and homewares products are always in demand, items that are broken, incomplete or no longer functional often cost more to process than they can ever return to the community.
The good news is that donating well is simple.
Before donating, ask yourself one question:
Would I be happy to give this to a friend or loved one?
If the answer is yes, chances are it could make a valuable donation.
Clean clothing, quality homewares, books, toys and household items in good condition can all find a second home through Vinnies Shops.
These donations create affordable shopping opportunities for local families while helping reduce waste and supporting vital community services.
The demand for quality pre-loved goods continues to grow as more Australians embrace second-hand shopping or “thrifting”. People are increasingly looking for affordable, sustainable alternatives to buying new items, making quality donations more important than ever.
For Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn, every good donation becomes part of a cycle of generosity. A donated item can be bought by a local shopper, diverted from landfill, and help generate funding that supports people experiencing hardship across the ACT and surrounding regions.
This spring, Vinnies is asking Canberrans to focus on quality over quantity. By donating items that are clean, complete, safe and ready to be used again, the community can help reduce waste, support local services and ensure every donation has the greatest possible impact. Donate Good. Not Just More.
Because every quality donation helps stock our shelves, reduce waste, and support local people doing it tough.
