Donations Equip Families for Success!

Starting over in a new country isn’t easy, but donations from people and partners like you help families succeed. Rally your friends, family, and community or faith group to collect donations for newcomers in your community! 

How to Help

The IRC accepts a variety of donations for families in our community. Check out our most pressing needs below, as well as the items we accept on a rolling basis. To get started, scroll to the Additional Information section at the bottom of this page. 

Urgent Needs

Career & Education Materials | Items like laptops, smart phones, and bicycles can have an especially meaningful impact for newcomers rebuilding their lives. These practical, high-value, reusable items support access to employment, education, transportation, communication, and essential services, helping individuals and families build stability and work toward long-term self-sufficiency. See more details below.

Gift Cards ($25, $50, $100) to Visa, Walmart, Target, Amazon | Gift cards are one of the most flexible and impactful donations we receive. While physical items are always appreciated, gift cards allow families and individuals to purchase exactly what they need, when they need it — whether that’s groceries, clothing, hygiene items, transportation, household essentials, or emergency necessities. They also help preserve dignity and choice during difficult times, giving clients the ability to make decisions for themselves and their families. Even small-value gift cards can make a meaningful difference.

Gently Used (or New) Items

Donations do not necessarily need to be new! In fact, some of the highest-impact items are items that can be donated used, as long as they are in good condition. These donations reduce waste, and can be provided by almost anyone.

CAREER & EDUCATION

• Laptops | Used in the workplace, in job searching, for educational purposes
• Smart phones | Used for communication with family and workplace, in work settings, and beyond (please only donate phones that have been "reset", or don't contain any donor information)
• Bikes (adult-size) | Used for transportation for adults (especially to work) who do not have cars or for whom public transportation is an insufficient option
• Backpacks | A necessity for adults and young people alike

KITCHEN

• Small appliances | Slow cooker, rice cooker, kettle, coffee maker, etc.
• Cookware | Pots, pans, baking dishes, cutting boards, mixing bowls, etc.
• Utensils |  Kitchen knives, spatulas, can openers, other basic cooking essentials

New Items

BEDDING

• Sheet Sets | Queen and twin size preferred
• Comforter/Bedspreads | Queen and twin size preferred
• Pillows | Standard-size pillows

HYGIENE

• Linens | Bath towels, hand towels
• Oral | Toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss packs
• Personal Hygiene | Body wash / soap, deodorant, hairbrush, sanitary pads or tampons

CLEANING

• Products | Dish soap, hand soap, multipurpose cleaner
• Tools | Vacuum, dustpan and brush, small trash can, dish sponges

Additional Information: 

Ready to organize a donation drive or donate new or unneeded household goods and supplies? Check out the information below to get started.

1. Get in touch! Please contact GetInvolvedIRCSacramento@rescue.org to discuss your contribution, including our current storage capacity and pick-up or drop-off options.
2. Schedule a delivery or pick-up. We are happy to accept donations at our office at 2020 Hurley Way Suite 420 in Sacramento at pre-arranged times. Unfortunately, we have limited capacity to pick up donated items, but can offer this support in some instances.
3. New & Gently Used. We request donated items that are new or gently used and in working condition. While we are grateful for all donations, items will be inspected upon delivery and may not be accepted if in unusable condition. Please note that some items must be new, as indicated.
4. Tax Deductible Receipts. The IRC is a 501c3, nonprofit organization, and as such donations are tax deductible. We are happy to provide a receipt with our tax ID information and a record of the items you donated upon request. Unfortunately, we cannot place a value on the items you gift, so there will be space on the receipt for you to input that information as you see fit.