Free Items and Giveaway Programs in Your Community
Clothing closets run by churches and nonprofits, furniture banks that stock apartments for families leaving shelters, neighborhood groups where someone posts a working microwave and it disappears within the hour — free item distribution is local by nature, and what's available in one county can be completely different from what's available twenty miles away. A Salvation Army Family Store in one city donates directly to households in a documented crisis; a school district backpack program a few counties over serves only enrolled students. Eligibility, hours, and inventory all depend on where you live and what's been donated.
This page is a directory to those local programs. Find your state in the listings on this page, then select your city or county to see which organizations are active, what they typically distribute, and how to reach them. Because availability shifts with donations and funding, calling ahead before making a trip is always worth the few minutes.
What free item programs typically offer
The most common programs are clothing closets and furniture banks, which handle the basics — coats, shoes, children's clothing, beds, tables, and household goods for families starting over. The site's guide to free local clothes distribution covers those options in detail, and there are also programs in some areas for free appliances including refrigerators and washers.
School supply programs run seasonally, with many charities and community organizations distributing backpacks and classroom materials in the weeks before the school year starts. Options for free school supplies for low-income families are listed separately on this site.
Transportation assistance takes a few different forms. Some programs issue gas vouchers for qualifying households, and transit agencies or nonprofits in many areas distribute free bus passes for those who qualify. Charitable ride programs cover medical appointments and work trips in some communities, and a smaller number of nonprofits run vehicle donation programs — details on both are in the guide to free rides that may be offered near you. In rare cases, grant and donation programs can provide free cars to qualifying families.
Online platforms and apps that list free items
Community platforms have become a practical source for free household goods. Neighbors post surplus furniture, appliances, and other items for local pickup daily — things move quickly, so staying on top of new postings matters. Freecycle is one of the largest of these networks, and the Freebies alert app can notify you when items become available in your area. A guide to setting up free stuff alerts is also available. Some companies also distribute free product samples by mail as promotional programs, which is a separate category from community giveaways.
Technology and device programs
Federal and state programs provide free or subsidized devices to income-qualifying households. Students from low-income families can receive a free tablet through government programs, and there are options for free laptops or desktop computers for those who qualify. Smartphone programs through government partners cover both iPhones and Samsung devices depending on the carrier and state.
Vouchers for specific needs
Some local charities and social service agencies distribute vouchers or gift cards in place of physical goods, typically targeted at a specific need. A motel or hotel voucher may be available during a housing emergency; childcare assistance is offered to income-qualifying parents in most states. More general local vouchers for essential goods exist in some communities as well. All of these programs depend on local funding, so availability varies.
Places for free items that may be near you, listed by county and city
The organizations and programs that may give away free items take place at the local level. There are charities, neighborhood groups and other programs in cities and counties listed below that have often stuff to give away, and they determine what items are available based on donations as well as other factors. Select your county/city below to find organizations, including clothing or furniture banks, which may provide free items, including get details on those local details such as eligibility requirements and contact information.
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina.
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
Washington DC
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Community discussion - NHPB forum
In addition to the local resources listed above, we have a moderated forum focused on people looking for free stuff or getting it. Visit the forum (which is moderated by NHPB and Jon McNamara so there will be no fraud/scams) to see real experiences of what people are doing, where they are finding items, and also post a question or need as well.
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