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Now that you’ve gone through your closet, you’re likely wondering what to do with those garbage bags marked “donate.” Well, wonder no more. Avoid those scam-tastic pink donation bins on the corner, and give the excess from your newly rejuvenated closet to one of these fine Brooklyn institutions instead. Here is a guide to the places you can sell and donate your gently used clothes, books, toys, housewares, and even canned goods.

Beacon’s Closet
For clothing items that you think might fetch a pretty penny on the resale market, it’s always worth stopping by one of Beacon’s Closet’s branches at one of their branches in Greenpoint, Park Slope, or East Williamsburg They’re pretty choosey, but you could walk away with a little extra cash or store credit.
Beaconscloset.com

Unnameable Books
Got a stack of books you no longer have room for? You can always try to sell them at Unnameable, the Prospect Heights used books emporium. They offer both cash and store credit.
600 Vanderbilt Avenue, Prospect Heights

Housing Works
Not only does Housing Works gladly take donations of everything from clothing to artwork for their network of thrift stores, you can feel good about where the proceeds from your not-quite-working shift dress are going: The organization fights to end both AIDS and homelessness through activism and advocacy. They’ll even arrange pick-up for larger donations.
Housingworks.org

Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket
Got a lot of clothes and textiles to donate? Bring them to the weekly Greenmarket at Grand Army Plaza, and give them to GROWNYC, a textile recycling program that determines which of your donations can be sold in thrift sotres and which can be used for, say, insulation.
Grand Army Plaza, Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm

Second Chance Toys
If you’re hoping to give away a collection of toys that your children have outgrown, this local organization that seeks to rescue toys from landfills, clean them up, and donate them to community organizations. It not only helps save non-biodegradable plastic from being dumped into city landfills, it also supports many community growth initiatives. Win-win!
Secondchangetoys.org

Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger
If you have a mess of canned goods that you want off your hands, look for a local food pantry that’s accepting donations. One of our favorites is Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger, which is always food, toys, and blankets for their food pantries.
Bedstuyagainsthunger.org