Did You Know? Home goods, artwork, and furniture not used by clients of NLFB are donated to local nonprofits, to consignment stores, and to some retail outlets; these items are known as “misfits”. This helps keep items out of the landfill, contributes to helping the needy, enhances the circular economy, and saves or generates money for New Life.
These are the organizations that receive misfits:
- Blessing Barn (Mendon) sells donations to support Compassion New England.
- Welcome Home (Newton) gives items to clients in the Newton area
- St. Vincent DePaul (Stoughton) sells items to support community programs and individuals’ needs
- Fiddleheads Consignment (Canton)
- Wrentham Country Store
- Fab Finds (Foxboro and Wrentham)
- Lovell’s (Medfield)
- House of Rage (Dartmouth)
- SmashIt2 (Worcester)
What do I do with items that are inappropriate for clients? #
Working items in good condition: #
Put functioning items that cannot be used by NLFB on the misfit shelves instead of recycling, trash, or smash it. Examples include:
- Plastic dishes, silverware, cups, and storage containers
- Lightly marred cookware
- Dishes with small edge chips or crazing
- Curtains (not drapes with hooks)
- Like-new bed pillows (NO stains)
- Holiday items
Hanging on the shelves there is a list for more details about what items are accepted by which organizations. When in doubt, put items on the misfits shelf.
Damaged items: #
If not acceptable for non-profit partners, items can go to House of Rage or Smash It 2. Examples include:
- Single dishes, glasses, or mugs that have large chips, cracks, or stains
- Art work with broken glass, mirrors or frames
- Small non-functioning non-metal appliances
- Small broken or marred furniture
Volunteers can take anything from the misfit shelves #
Throughout each month Joanne S. and Becky S. sort the misfits according to the requirements of the partner organization. Please do not remove items that have already been boxed for partner organizations. Joanne and Becky deliver to the organizations once per month.
More volunteers needed for monthly delivery – see Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Miscellaneous #
- While alcohol case boxes can’t be used for client kits, they can be used to distribute misfits.