Every donation made to our thrift stores plays a vital role in supporting FISH’s mission to provide access to food, instruction, shelter, and healthcare to community members in need. To maximize the impact of these donations, we are selective about the items we accept, ensuring they can be sold efficiently and generate the greatest return to fund essential services. Items that are unsellable, hazardous, or costly to dispose of take resources away from our programs, so we kindly ask donors to review our list of unaccepted items before making a donation. Every contribution that meets our guidelines helps us provide a hand up to those who need it most. A receipt for tax-deductible donations may be requested at the time of donation.
Items We Are Unable to Accept
To ensure we maximize the impact of donations and efficiently support our community programs, FISH is unable to accept the following items:
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Large Appliances – Refrigerators, freezers, ovens, washers, dryers, and dishwashers
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Mattresses & Box Springs – Due to health and sanitation regulations
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Damaged or Stained Furniture – Including items with excessive wear, pet damage, or missing parts
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Broken or Non-Functioning Electronics – TVs, computers, printers, and other electronics that do not work
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Built-in Fixtures – Cabinets, countertops, toilets, and other household fixtures
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Car Seats, Cribs, or Other Baby Equipment – Due to safety regulations and liability concerns
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Medical Equipment – Including hospital beds, oxygen tanks, and used medical supplies
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Chemicals & Hazardous Materials – Paint, gasoline, pesticides, and cleaning supplies
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Weapons & Ammunition – Guns, knives, bows, or any form of ammunition
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Opened or Used Hygiene & Personal Care Products – Such as shampoo, lotion, or makeup
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We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us focus our resources on providing essential services to those in need. If you are unsure whether an item can be donated, please contact your local FISH thrift store for clarification at thriftstores@nvfish.com.