As you wander around Prague, you come across many shops selling second hand clothing and household items. They are fun to explore and many offer great bargains as well as opportunities to befriend the environment by reusing and recycling preloved goods. Do not assume, however, that these are all charity stores – most, in fact, are private, for-profit businesses (even though their marketing may imply otherwise!).

If you are spring-cleaning, getting rid of clutter, preparing for a move, or clearing out an empty nest, you can make your donation count by giving useful unwanted or unneeded (but still very useful) items to bona fide charities.

IWAP’s Charity Committee recommends the following organizations:

Naděje

Naděje provides services and support for people without homes and others in need – Nadeje website

You can take practical and clean men’s clothing to the service centers at Bolzanova 7 and U Bulhara 46, both near the main railway station. Most needed are: pants/trousers, sweaters/jumpers, clean underwear and socks, sensible shoes, warm jackets and coats/ scarves/hats/ gloves for winter.

Dignity

Dignity is an initiative of the International Church of Prague, it offers practical, social, emotional and spiritual support to refugees – Dignity website

Dignity needs clean and practical clothing for adults and children, suitable for the season, as well as certain household goods. Contact tomdamms@gmail.com to ask how your unwanted items may help them. They are located just off Wenceslas Square.

Cesta Domů

Cesta Domů provides multidisciplinary in-home hospice and end-of-life care and support for patients and families – Cesta Domů website

Cesta Domů’s Charity Stores are at Komunardů 33 in Holešovice and Bělohorská 90 in Praha 6, and sell quality second hand clothing and household goods as well as new items including stationary/cards and books. The Holešovice store also has a lovely cafe.

St. Theresa Shelter

St. Theresa Shelter – Caritas of the Archdiocese of Prague collects clothing to benefit those in need, including people without housing, migrants, mothers and children, and families in difficult circumstances. – St. Theresa Shelter website

They particularly need casual clothing in good condition, and ask for: underwear (briefs, panties, bras, undershirts, thermal underwear, socks); hoodie sweatshirts, sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, button-down shirts (not dress shirts), sweaters, t-shirts; jeans, corduroys, or canvas pants (not dress pants); practical jackets; shoes for everyday wear; hats, gloves, scarves; towels; and blankets and sleeping bags. Please bring washed and ironed clothing for donation to the Shelter Home on Pernerova 20 in the Karlín. The front desk is open 24 hours a day.

Sue Ryder

Sue Ryder Charity Shops sell donated items, with the proceeds funding care for seniors – Sue Ryder Charity website

You can help by donating clean, good quality, saleable items, including clothing for women, men and children; accessories – handbags, scarves, ties, jewellery, belts/footwear/sportswear; miscellaneous equipment, toys, gifts, art, books, pictures; ceramics, glass, china – ideally full sets; home appliances; functioning cars and electrical appliances; and furniture. To donate bigger items (furniture, white goods), please first send photos of the items, and give details of the pick-up address and your telephone number. You are welcome to bring donations to any of the Sue Ryder charity shops during their opening hours or contact them to arrange for pick-up of donations at: jan.dominik@sue-ryder.cz

Please note that any items you donate to the organizations above should be ready for wear or immediate sale or use. Do not donate any items which need cleaning or repairs, which are not immediately serviceable or which could not be offered for sale.

Other items may be placed in the textile donation bins located throughout Prague, for the benefit of the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and other charities.