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A pair of hands placing folded clothes into a donation box on a Hill Country front porch in golden-hour light.
Homeowner Resource

Before You Throw It Away: Hill Country Donation, Reuse, Resale & Consignment Directory

A verified, bookmarkable directory of where used goods can go next across Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, and the surrounding Hill Country, organized by area and category with addresses, phone numbers, hours, key acceptance rules, and published exclusions where available.

Published September 2026 · Last verified: September 2026

On this page

Why donate or resell instead of trashing it Quick reference: what goes where Boerne Fair Oaks Ranch Spring Branch and Bulverde Comfort Helotes and northwest San Antonio (I-10 and Loop 1604) Specialty programs: regional and mail-in Pickup vs. drop-off What places accept, and what they will not take How to claim a donation tax deduction correctly Timing and holiday tips Safety tips, including the after-hours rule Frequently asked questions Related reading Sources

The short version: many reusable household items have a free local or regional donation, resale, recycling, or pickup route. Specialty items may require a longer drive, an appointment, a mail-in program, or a fee. This directory gives you the current published location, hours, and acceptance guidance available for each option so you can narrow the trip before loading the vehicle. Listings were checked against primary sources wherever current primary information was available. When a small organization does not maintain a current official webpage or does not publish a particular detail, the strongest current secondary source available was used and that limitation is identified in the listing.

If you are clearing out a house, downsizing, or moving across the country, this page is worth bookmarking. It pairs with the site's companion guide, Where to Get Rid of Things the Trash Company Won't Take, which covers paint, chemicals, tires, batteries, and the rest of the genuinely non-donatable stuff.

Why donate or resell instead of trashing it

The case is simple and it is not preachy. A used couch, a box of kids' clothes, or a garage half full of tools loses most of its value the second it hits the landfill, and getting rid of it costs you money in dump fees and hauling time. Donating it costs nothing at the door, keeps usable goods working for neighbors instead of buried under landfill cover, and may qualify for a federal charitable deduction if the recipient and donation meet the applicable tax rules. For the rural parts of Kendall, Comal, and Bandera counties, every load that stays out of the transfer station also spares a long haul and extends the life of local landfill space.

Resale and consignment go one step further: they put cash back in your pocket for items with real value, which matters most when you are downsizing a full house. And the practical part matters too. This area has an unusually strong network of small charity thrift stores, church-run resale shops, and animal-shelter thrifts that operate on tight volunteer schedules and specific acceptance lists. Knowing which one takes furniture, which one takes kids' gear, and which one will not touch a mattress saves you a wasted trip.

One honest note on names: Hill Country Community Ministries, a name that shows up in donation searches, operates its thrift store in Leander, about 90 minutes north, not in Boerne [1]. The Boerne area equivalents are Random Hangers, Fabulous Finds, and Sisters' Attic, all listed below.

Quick reference: what goes where

Use this table to find your category fast, then jump to the area section for the full listing.

Category Start here Cost
Clothing and household goods Random Hangers, Fabulous Finds, Sisters' Attic, HCAL Thrift, Haute Second (Boerne, monthly pop-up); Hope Center and Bulverde Thrift Store (Spring Branch); Goodwill on TX-46; Goodwill and Salvation Army (I-10 and Loop 1604) Free at drop-off
Furniture and home decor Call first, space varies: Fabulous Finds, Sisters' Attic, HCAL Thrift, Random Hangers, Bulverde Thrift Store, Salvation Army, Habitat Home Centers, Goodwill pickup; consign via Two Trick Pony or Home Consignment Center; Linen & Dove (Boerne) rents weekly display closets for resale Free, or a consignment share
Books and media Bookshop Under the Windmill and Boerne Public Library; Half Price Books pays for what it buys; Mammen Family Public Library Book Nook (books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, puzzles; donations support the library) Free, or cash for select items
Kids' clothing, toys, and baby gear Just Between Friends seasonal pop-up events; check the current schedule Consignment share
Building materials and architectural salvage Habitat Home Centers (three San Antonio locations); Boerne Farmhouse buys selected vintage and architectural-salvage pieces; contact the store before transporting an item Free with approved list
Antiques and collectibles Johns Road Antique Mall buys and sells; Boerne Farmhouse buys selected vintage and architectural-salvage pieces (contact the store before transporting an item); The Cottage of Helotes Cash offers, or consignment
Electronics Best Buy Alamo Ranch (free, up to 10 qualified recycling items per household per day, with special limits for laptops, TVs, and monitors); San Antonio HHW for city residents Free, except some TVs
Paint, chemicals, and batteries San Antonio HHW (city residents); for Kendall, Comal, and Bandera county routes see the companion disposal directory Free for eligible households
Medications Walgreens Boerne medication-disposal kiosk; Kendall County Sheriff's Office DEA take-back events when scheduled Free
Eyeglasses and hearing aids Lions Club collection boxes (call for the nearest); Sertoma mail-in for hearing aids Free
Cell phones ecoATM kiosks pay cash for old phones; Best Buy recycles them free Cash, or free
Bicycles Cycle It Forward (email a bike photo to request pickup) Free
Pet supplies Hill Country Animal League (Boerne); Bulverde Area Humane Society; San Antonio Humane Society Free
Art and school supplies Teacher Reuse for donated classroom resources; TEXAS YES Project for educational-support programs; United Way Write Start and Communities In Schools Stuff the Bus are seasonal campaigns—check the current campaign window before donating Free
Vehicles Goodwill San Antonio vehicle donation; Kars4Kids; free towing and pickup Free pickup
Reusable clothing and textiles SA3 Community Recycling (free pickup); American Textile Recycling Service bins Free

Hours, acceptance lists, and fees change. Many of the smaller nonprofits in this directory rely heavily on volunteers, and even larger organizations can change donation intake based on staffing, capacity, weather, or inventory. Check the linked page or call before loading furniture or a large donation. Fees and pickup terms below are labeled Verified as of September 2026.

Boerne

Boerne is the heart of this directory, with multiple nonprofit thrift and resale operations, the Friends of the Library bookshop, and several consignment, resale, antique, and specialty-buying options. Because schedules, intake rules, and selling models differ, use the individual listings below rather than relying on a fixed store count.

Charity thrift and donation stores

The neatly organized interior of a small-town Texas charity thrift store with shelves of housewares and secondhand clothing.

Random Hangers

Hill Country Family Services, Boerne

  • Address: 114 W Advogt St, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 249-8643; for furniture, call Toni at (830) 331-2219
  • Store hours: Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
  • Donation hours: Tuesday–Friday 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; donations accepted on a limited basis, with limited space
  • Accepts: Gently used clothing, shoes, household goods, and kitchen items, plus furniture on a limited basis.
  • Also on site: The Warehouse, the second HCFS sales floor at the same address, carries art, household goods, and gift items. Warehouse shop hours are Tuesday–Friday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Warehouse donation hours match the thrift shop.
  • Website: hcfstx.org/thrift-shop [2]

Fabulous Finds

Kendall County Women's Shelter, Boerne

  • Store address: 934 N School St, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Donation station: 930 N School St, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 428-4942
  • Store hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
  • Donation hours: Tuesday–Saturday 8 a.m.–2 p.m.; hours can shift with weather and staffing
  • Accepts: Quality new and gently used clothing, household items, and furniture. Proceeds support shelter services for Kendall County families.
  • Website: kcwstexas.org/thrift-stores [3]

Sisters' Attic

Benedictine Sisters of Boerne

  • Address: 216 W Highland Dr, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 249-0020
  • Store hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
  • Donation hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m., preferably by appointment; call ahead, especially for furniture
  • Accepts: Clean clothing, furniture, housewares, dishes, glassware, baskets, collectibles, and books.
  • Website: boernebenedictines.org/sisters-attic [4]

Hill Country Animal League Thrift Store

Boerne

  • Address: 115 W Bandera Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 249-8040
  • Store hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday
  • Donation hours: Tuesday–Saturday 8 a.m.–1 p.m. (posted as summer hours; confirm before a long trip); closed Sunday and Monday
  • Where to drop: The intake area is on the side of the store facing Sonic, not the front retail door.
  • Accepts: Household items, clothing, linens, shoes, decorative pillows, furniture, jewelry, and some working electronics. New paper towels, trash bags, and toilet paper are also needed.
  • Will not take: Mattresses and mattress toppers, sleeping pillows, baby items including cribs, car seats, and high chairs, non-working appliances, fax machines, printers, and computers.
  • Large-item pickup: Free. HCAL will collect large donations; schedule through the pickup form on its site or call (830) 249-8040. HCAL is a documented Boerne-based option for large-item donation pickup.
  • Website: thriftstore.hcaltx.org/donate [5]; pet supply needs go through the clinic at (830) 249-2341

The Closet Thrift Shop

Boerne

  • Address: 17 Old San Antonio Road, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 249-2114
  • Proceeds: Benefit The Center, whose services support Boerne-area families in need; the shop carries clothing, accessories, jewelry, shoes, household goods, art, and gift items.
  • Holiday shop: A seasonal holiday shop runs from the first week of November through mid-December.
  • Hours: Not published on the city page; call (830) 249-2114 before going.
  • Source: ci.boerne.tx.us/2520/The-Closet-Thrift-Shop [6]

Faith & Funky Junk

Nonprofit thrift barn, Boerne

  • Address: 39320 Interstate 10 W, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 388-7170
  • Carries: Furniture, household items, jewelry, books, CDs, clothing, shoes, and artwork.
  • Store hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Monday. Hours are listed across current third-party listings; confirm on its Facebook page before going.
  • Primary source: City of Boerne — Faith & Funky Junk [7], which confirms the address and phone; store hours come from its Facebook page

Haute Second — Transformation House

Monthly nonprofit pop-up resale, Boerne

  • Address: 916 E Blanco Rd, Suite 600, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Store hours: Second Thursday of each month, 4:30–8 p.m.; last Saturday of each month, 8:30–11:30 a.m. Because this is a monthly pop-up rather than a daily retail store, check the current Transformation House page before going.
  • Donations: New or gently used household items, women's clothing, and children's clothing are accepted by appointment through Transformation House's donation-request form. Donations are shared first with families served by the organization, with resale supporting women and children rebuilding their lives after domestic violence.
  • Website: Transformation House — Haute Second [9]

Fabulous Finds on N School Street and Random Hangers on W Advogt Street are the two stores most likely to take a mixed household load, and both sit a few blocks off Main. Sisters' Attic and the animal league store are smaller and pickier, so call ahead when the load is big.

Books and media

The Bookshop Under the Windmill

Friends of the Boerne Public Library

  • Address: 451 N Main St, Boerne, TX 78006 (next to the Patrick Heath Public Library and the windmill)
  • Phone: (830) 249-3053
  • Store hours: Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Donate books: The library accepts gently used books, magazines, DVDs, and books on CD at its staff entrance Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–noon; what the library does not keep is sold here, with proceeds funding library programs.
  • Website: friendsofboernepubliclibrary.blogspot.com [10] and city library FAQ [11]

Kids' clothing, baby gear, and furniture resale

Two Trick Pony Consignment

Upscale furniture and home decor, Boerne

  • Address: 346 S Main St, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Additional location: Garden & More, 911 S Main St, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 331-1366
  • Hours at both locations: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m.; closed Monday.
  • Consigns: Quality pre-owned furniture and home decor: tables, chairs, sofas, rugs, lamps with shades, art, antiques, and vintage furniture. The shop keeps a strict condition bar, so only well-made, excellent-condition pieces are accepted.
  • Website: ttpctx.com [12]

Linen & Dove

Seller-rented resale space, Boerne

  • Address: 1201 S Main St, Suite 107, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 375-1360
  • Store hours: Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Sunday noon–5 p.m.
  • Seller model: Linen & Dove uses a weekly closet-rental resale model rather than conventional drop-off consignment. Sellers reserve a display closet, stock and price their merchandise, and receive 66% of sales; Linen & Dove retains 33%. Its current seller information also states that the first $5 of sales is deducted as a supplies fee. Verify current rental pricing and seller terms before booking.
  • Examples of permitted merchandise: Clothing, home decor, shoes, purses, jewelry, books, perfume, art, hobby items, sporting goods, toys, children's clothing, and maternity items.
  • Published exclusions: Broken, damaged, or stained merchandise; food and drinks; opened or expired beauty products; car seats; recalled items; electronics; weapons; and illegal items.
  • Website: Linen & Dove — Sellers [13]; the shop is listed in the City of Boerne — Thrift/Resale directory [8]

Just Between Friends San Antonio NW

Seasonal kids' consignment events, Boerne

  • Address: 1307 River Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Schedule: Next posted event as of September 2, 2026: November 4–7 at Kendall County Fair Association, 1307 River Rd, Boerne. Event dates vary; JBF says this market operates two or three times per year.
  • Accepts: Kids' clothing, shoes, toys, gear, and baby items during the consignment intake window for each event.
  • Website: nwsanantonio.jbfsale.com [14]

Antiques and collectibles

Johns Road Antique Mall

  • Address: 850 Johns Rd, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 249-7464
  • Hours: Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
  • Buys: Antiques, collectibles, jewelry, gold and silver. Johns Road Antique Mall operates a roughly 10,000-square-foot antique and collectibles marketplace. Call before bringing a substantial collection so staff can confirm current buying interest.
  • Website: johnsroadantiquemall.com [15]

Fair Oaks Ranch

I did not find a current general-purpose charity donation center operating inside Fair Oaks Ranch city limits during this September 2026 verification. The nearest verified general-purpose options in this directory are in Boerne and along the I-10/Loop 1604 corridor. Do not leave donations at the entrances of gated communities or at any closed business; it is treated as litter.

Buy, sell, and trade

Worldwide Comics

Comics, cards, and collectibles, Fair Oaks Ranch

  • Address: 29369 Raintree Ridge, Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 78015
  • Office hours: Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m. CST. For buying, selling, or an appointment, email sharon@wwcomics.com; backup contact: stephen@wwcomics.com.
  • Buys and trades: Comic books and collectibles; a Fair Oaks Ranch-based option for comic-book collections and collectibles.
  • Website: wwcomics.com/contact.asp [16]

Spring Branch and Bulverde

Spring Branch and Bulverde put four solid options within a few miles of each other, two of them in the same TX-46 shopping center and two on US-281 and in Bulverde proper. Hope Center Ministries has the longest refusal list in this directory. Read it before you go.

Charity thrift and donation stores

Hope Center Ministries Thrift Store & The Boutique

  • Address: 6260 US-281 N, Spring Branch, TX 78070
  • Phone: (830) 980-4673
  • Store hours: Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
  • Donation hours: Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays only, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Accepts: Gently used clothing (women's, men's, and children's), household items, and decor; The Boutique is women's only and takes new or like-new items with tags.
  • Published restrictions: Hope Center's two current official pages are not completely synchronized. Both prohibit mattresses/box springs, batteries, baby furniture, construction materials, guns/ammunition, refrigerators/water heaters, and tires/rims/auto parts. Its general donation page also lists furniture and bottles/pacifiers; its thrift-store page additionally lists CRT monitors/tube TVs. Because the organization's own pages differ, call (830) 980-4673 before bringing furniture, baby items, or older televisions/monitors.
  • Website: hopecenterministries.com/thriftstore [17] and hopecenterministries.com/donate [17A]

Bulverde Thrift Store

  • Address: 20475 TX-46 W, Ste 220, Spring Branch, TX 78070 (the Highway 46 shopping center shared with Goodwill)
  • Phone: (830) 438-6482
  • Store hours: Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Friday and Sunday
  • Donation hours and instructions: Monday–Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. until close, and Friday beginning at 9 a.m. until close. Donations are accepted only until the day's capacity is reached. Each donor is limited to two store-provided bins. Large donations are by appointment only. Take donations to the back of the store.
  • Accepts: Gently used clothing, shoes, purses, jewelry, linens, dishes, kitchen appliances, toys, home decor, and furniture. Proceeds support the Provisions Food Pantry and the Bulverde Spring Branch Activity Center.
  • Website: bulverdethriftstore.com [18]

Goodwill Store and Donation Station

  • Address: 20475 TX-46, Ste 108, Spring Branch, TX 78070
  • Phone: (210) 924-8581
  • Store hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Donation hours: The store-connected donation center follows the store's operating hours.
  • Accepts: General donations of clothing, household goods, furniture, and small items for sale at this location.
  • Website: goodwillsa.org/donations [19]

Bulverde Area Humane Society

  • Address: 3563 Kingsnake, Bulverde, TX 78163
  • Phone: (830) 980-2247
  • Shelter hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–1 p.m. The organization's current donation page lists needed supplies but does not separately publish donation-intake hours. Call (830) 980-2247 before making a special trip with a large supply donation.
  • Accepts: Wish-list pet supplies: Nylabones and Kong-style toys, soft dog treats, martingale collars, rope toys, Easy Walk harnesses, clumping cat litter, poultry pate cat food, bleach, toilet paper, paper towels, quart zip-lock bags, all-purpose cleaner, and disinfecting wipes.
  • Website: bulverdeareahumanesociety.com/donate [20]

Books and media

Mammen Family Public Library — Book Nook

  • Address: 131 Bulverde Crossing, Bulverde, TX 78163
  • Phone: (830) 438-4864
  • Library hours: Monday and Wednesday 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Sunday noon–4 p.m.
  • Accepts: Donated books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs, and puzzles, sold to support library projects. The Book Nook is supported by the library's Friends group, which is a 501(c)(3. Because the sales/donation area can fill up, call or check the library website before bringing a large donation.
  • Website: mfplibrary.org [58]

Comfort

Comfort is small, and its two resale shops run short volunteer hours, so plan around them.

Charity resale shops

Fabulous Finds — Comfort

Kendall County Women's Shelter, Comfort

  • Address: 616 Front St, Comfort, TX 78013
  • Phone: (830) 428-4943
  • Store hours: Wednesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Accepts: The sister store of Fabulous Finds in Boerne, taking quality new and gently used clothing, household items, and furniture with proceeds supporting the same shelter.
  • Website: kcwstexas.org/thrift-stores [3]

Pass It On

  • Address: 810 Avenue A, Comfort, TX 78013
  • Phone: (830) 995-3912
  • Store hours: Current hours were not published on the official Visit Comfort listing at the time of verification. Call (830) 995-3912 before going.
  • Accepts: Gently used clothing, furniture, books, and appliances; all profits fund college scholarships for Comfort students.
  • Source: Visit Comfort listing [21]

Helotes and northwest San Antonio (I-10 and Loop 1604)

This is the belt you drive whenever Fair Oaks Ranch has a truckload to clear: the stores on Loop 1604 between Bandera Road and I-10, plus the Goodwill on I-10 west near De Zavala. Between the charity stores and the buy-and-sell clothing shops, this corridor covers nearly every category in this directory.

Charity thrift and donation stores

The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center

  • Address: 10203 W Loop 1604 N, San Antonio, TX 78254
  • Phone: (210) 521-2249
  • Store and donation hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Wednesday 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; closed Sunday
  • Accepts: Clothing, household goods, furniture, and more, sold to fund the Adult Rehabilitation Center program.
  • Website: salvationarmysanantonio.org [22]

Second Chances Thrift Shop

Helotes Humane Society

  • Address: 10671 Shaenfield Rd, San Antonio, TX 78254
  • Phone: (210) 372-1255; email thrift4animals@hhsanimals.org
  • Donation hours: Friday 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
  • Store hours: Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.–3 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday–Wednesday.
  • Large furniture: By appointment only; call (210) 372-1255 before bringing it.
  • Accepts: Books, clothing, household items, antiques, toys, movies, and similar gently used goods. Proceeds feed and care for rescued animals.
  • Will not take: Large appliances; audio components such as receivers, turntables, speakers, and cassette players; baby cribs, walkers, or car seats; BBQ grills (approval only); building and remodeling materials; camper tops; carpet (rugs are fine); cassettes; computers and monitors; mattresses and waterbeds; TVs; VCRs; and other specifically excluded categories.
  • Website: hhsanimals.org/second-chances-thrift-shop [23]

Goodwill Store and Donation Station, De Zavala

  • Address: 12332 I-10 W, Ste 12, San Antonio, TX 78230
  • Phone: (210) 924-8581
  • Store and donation hours: Sunday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • Accepts: General donations at the on-site donation center during store hours.
  • Website: goodwillsa.org/locations/de-zavala-rd [24]

Buy, sell, and consign

Plato's Closet Northwest San Antonio

  • Address: 11851 Bandera Rd, Helotes, TX 78023
  • Phone: (210) 372-1311
  • Store hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
  • Buys and sells: Gently used brand-name clothing and accessories for teens and young adults; the store buys select items on the spot.
  • Website: platoscloset.com [25]

Uptown Cheapskate Alamo Ranch

  • Address: 5742 W Loop 1604 N, Ste 121, San Antonio, TX 78251
  • Phone: (210) 999-5399
  • Store hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
  • Buy hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m.; Sunday noon–4 p.m. No appointment is required for the standard clothing-selling process.
  • Buys and sells: Trendy young-adult clothing and accessories, bought on the spot when they fit the store's current buy list.
  • Website: uptowncheapskate.com [26]
A warm, well-lit consignment shop in a Texas Hill Country town with a vintage dresser beside a rack of secondhand clothing.

Home Consignment Center

  • Address: 17603 La Cantera Pkwy, Ste 130, San Antonio, TX 78257
  • Phone: (210) 558-3968
  • Store hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.–5 p.m.
  • Consigns: Upscale furniture, art, and home decor at the La Cantera end of the corridor; the right stop when a piece is too good for a thrift-store price.
  • Website: homeconsignmentcenter.com [27]

The Cottage of Helotes Antiques

  • Address: 14398 Old Bandera Rd, Helotes, TX 78023
  • Phone: (210) 687-9485
  • Store hours: Tuesday–Saturday 11 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 1–5 p.m.; closed Monday.
  • What it is: An antiques and collectibles shop with more than a dozen vendors. The current official tourism listing does not establish a general walk-in consignment or purchasing policy, so call before bringing merchandise to ask whether an individual dealer is currently buying or accepting consignments. [27A]

Specialty programs: regional and mail-in

The categories below are regional, seasonal, mail-in, or pickup-based. Availability and service areas vary, and some San Antonio programs are restricted by residence, address, campaign dates, or item eligibility. Check the individual program before traveling or scheduling a pickup.

Building materials and architectural salvage

An aisle of a building materials reuse store with clean used lumber, doors, and lighting fixtures on organized shelving.

Habitat Home Centers (Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio)

  • Addresses and phones: 311 Probandt, San Antonio, TX 78204, (210) 223-3647; 5482 Walzem Rd, San Antonio, TX 78218, (210) 599-7109; 8125 Meadow Leaf Dr, San Antonio, TX 78227, (210) 674-7500
  • Store and donation hours: Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Sunday
  • Accepts: New and gently used residential furniture, home decor, building materials and supplies, cabinets, doors, windows, lighting, tools, and appliances. Anything that fits in a car can be dropped at any of the three locations.
  • Appliance conditions: Appliances must be operable, generally less than five years old, and free of rust, corrosion, or non-factory paint. Dishwashers, garbage disposals, and built-in appliances are refused.
  • Will not take: Mattresses and box springs, used sleeper sofas and futons, TV armoires and entertainment centers, commercial office furniture, cribs, playpens, and high chairs, pianos, tube and projection TVs, bedding and linens, books, food, and clothing.
  • Free pickup: Habitat schedules free donation pickups. Reserve online with a photo of the items; the donation is confirmed by email once approved.
  • Website: habitatsa.org/habitat-home-center [28]

Boerne Farmhouse

Architectural salvage and home goods

  • Address: 1499 S Main St, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 331-1391
  • Store hours: Monday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m.–3 p.m.
  • What it is: A local buyer and seller of reclaimed architectural pieces and home goods, which makes it the in-town option for giving salvaged doors, hardware, and fixtures a second life before they hit the dumpster.
  • Selling to Boerne Farmhouse: The store does not accept items on consignment. To offer a vintage or architectural item for purchase, email a photo to boernefarmhouse@gmail.com. Include measurements if the scale is not obvious and include your asking price. Buying interest is selective, and any item the store agrees to purchase must be delivered to Boerne Farmhouse.
  • What it buys: Examples of items it actively looks for include mantels, corbels, tables, chairs, benches and church pews, industrial lighting, dressers, consoles, bookshelves, awnings, vintage tin, and interesting architectural pieces.
  • Website: boernefarmhouse.com [29]

Books and media that pay

Half Price Books

  • Nearest stores: 20821 US Hwy 281 N, Ste 212, San Antonio, TX 78258 (Stone Ridge Market), (210) 545-3836; 11654 Bandera Rd, San Antonio, TX 78250, (210) 647-1103; 11255 Huebner Rd, Ste 208, San Antonio, TX 78230, (210) 558-3247; 125 NW Loop 410, Ste 103, San Antonio, TX 78216, (210) 349-1429
  • Store hours: Most stores open 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily
  • Buys: Books, music, movies, games, and gaming consoles, all day, every day the store is open, no appointment needed. Anything they do not buy still makes a fine library or thrift donation.
  • Website: hpb.com/texas.html [30]

Electronics, hazardous waste, and paint

Best Buy Alamo Ranch

  • Address: 5419 W Loop 1604 N, San Antonio, TX 78253
  • Phone: (210) 520-5143
  • Recycles free: Best Buy currently accepts up to 10 qualified recycling items per household per day. Its current FAQ says those ten may include up to five laptops, up to two TVs or computer monitors, and up to three other qualified items. Product-specific size, fee, and eligibility rules also apply, so check the current recycling page before transporting larger electronics.
  • Charges: $29.99 per item for televisions and computer monitors recycled in store, with a household daily limit of two TVs or monitors combined and product-specific size limits. Product-specific fee and eligibility details change, so check the current Best Buy recycling page before transporting a television or monitor. Fee verified as of September 2026.
  • Will not take: TVs or monitors larger than 50 inches, old wood-cabinet and projection TVs, stand-alone batteries, large household appliances, or items from businesses. Loose rechargeable batteries are free only in California and New York, not in Texas; take those to the San Antonio HHW facility or a hardware-store collection box.
  • Website: bestbuy.com recycling [31]

San Antonio Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Facility

  • Address: 7030 Culebra Rd, San Antonio, TX 78238
  • Drop-off hours: Tuesday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.–noon; closed holidays
  • Eligibility: City of San Antonio residential solid-waste customers only; bring a photo ID and a recent CPS Energy bill.
  • Accepts: Paint, household cleaners and solvents, batteries, electronics, auto fluids, cooking oil, fluorescent bulbs, pesticides, and pool chemicals in household quantities.
  • Will not take: Regular garbage, ammunition, fireworks, or medical waste.
  • Website: sa.gov HHW [32]. Boerne and Kendall County residents should use the disposal directory for their county's routes instead.

Medications

Kendall County Sheriff's Office

Walgreens Boerne pharmacy kiosk

  • Address: 1223 S Main St, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Use: A DEA-authorized medication disposal kiosk for year-round drops of unused and expired medicines during pharmacy hours.
  • Source: Walgreens kiosk locator [34]

Eyeglasses and hearing aids

Lions Club eyeglass recycling

  • How it works: The San Antonio Founder Lions Club keeps collection boxes across the city and sends what it collects to the Texas Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in Midland; call (210) 225-1164 for the nearest current collection location.
  • Accepts: Prescription glasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses; no cases or contact lenses.
  • Website: texaslions.org [35] and txlerc.org [36]

Hearing aid donation (mail-in)

  • Sertoma Hearing Aid Project: Accepts hearing aids of any age and condition, plus accessories and unexpired batteries, and reconditions them for people in need; donations are mailed in per the instructions on the project page.
  • Website: sertoma.org/Hearing-Aid-Project [37]. (Starkey no longer runs the hearing aid donation program it operated through the Starkey Hearing Foundation; check Starkey's current site before mailing anything to them [38].)

Cell phones

ecoATM kiosks

  • How it works: Kiosks inside many Walmart, CVS, and Dollar General stores around San Antonio test an old phone on the spot, make a cash offer, and pay you at the machine after you scan an ID; broken phones are accepted and recycled if they have no resale value.
  • Fine print: You must be 18 or older, and the phone cannot be iCloud-locked or reported lost or stolen.
  • Website: locations.ecoatm.com/tx/sanantonio [39]. For a donation route instead, Best Buy recycles cell phones free at the Alamo Ranch store above.

Bicycles

Earn-A-Bike and Cycle It Forward

  • Earn-A-Bike: A San Antonio organization that fixes up donated adult and kids' bikes for community programs and a refurbished-bike shop. It does not publish a used-bike donation drop-off location or intake procedure on its current site, so check its website before bringing a bike. Website: eabsa.org [40]
  • Cycle It Forward: Donates refurbished bicycles to children. To request pickup of an unused bicycle, including one needing repair or cleaning, email a photo of the bike to media@carabinshaw.com and include your name, address, and phone number.

Pet supplies and animal shelters

Hill Country Animal League, Boerne

  • Address: 924 N Main St, Boerne, TX 78006
  • Phone: (830) 249-2341
  • Donation: The spay-neuter clinic and adoption center at this address takes monetary gifts and directs current pet-supply needs; the thrift store at 115 W Bandera Rd funds the clinic. Call or email (appointmentdesk@hcaltx.org) for the current wish list before loading supplies.
  • Website: hcaltx.org/contact-us [42]

San Antonio Humane Society

  • Address: 4804 Fredericksburg Rd, San Antonio, TX 78229
  • Phone: (210) 226-7461
  • Donation hours: Daily 12:30 p.m.–7 p.m. (Verified against sahumane.org, which states daily hours of 12:30 p.m.–7 p.m.)
  • Accepts: Wish-list pet supplies in person, or ship directly from the shelter's Amazon and Chewy wish lists: food for dogs and cats, treats, chew toys, beds, collars, leashes, harnesses, puppy pads, and similar items.
  • Website: sahumane.org/wishlist [43]

Art and school supplies

Write Start, TEXAS YES Project, Communities In Schools, and Teacher Reuse

  • United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County — Write Start Project: An annual back-to-school supply initiative supporting educators. The 2026 public supply-donation window ran July 6–August 7 and is now closed. United Way subsequently reported distributing approximately $37,000 in classroom supplies to more than 2,000 NEISD teachers [44A]. Check the current Write Start page for the next campaign window rather than taking supplies to a 2026 drop-off location. Website: uwsatx.org/write-start [44]
  • TEXAS YES Project: Supports students and educators at Title I schools through school-supply kits, classroom grants, literacy resources, and related educational programs. Phone: (210) 298-8800. Website: texasyesproject.org [45]
  • Communities In Schools of San Antonio — Stuff the Bus: An annual summer school-supply campaign. For the 2026–27 school year, the organization says supplies will be distributed to more than 130 schools across 15 school districts in six counties. The 2026 campaign period has concluded, so check the current Stuff the Bus page for the next collection or fundraising window. Website: cissa.org [46]
  • Teacher Reuse: Accepts donated classroom resources and distributes teaching supplies free to Central Texas public and charter-school teachers. Donation/store location: Tanger Outlet Mall, 4015 S I-35 South Frontage Rd, Building 640, San Marcos, TX 78666. Phone: (512) 202-5632. Email: store@teacher-reuse.org. Because donation access and operating dates can vary, check Teacher Reuse's current Donation Options/Calendar information before making the drive. Website: teacher-reuse.org — Donation Options [47]

Vehicles

Goodwill San Antonio and Kars4Kids

  • Goodwill San Antonio vehicle donation: Call (888) 706-8580 or submit the online donation form. The program arranges vehicle pickup at no cost to the donor. It considers cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats, trailers, and many other vehicle types, including many non-running vehicles; final acceptance depends on the specific vehicle and its accessibility for towing. Website: goodwillsa.careasy.org [48]
  • Kars4Kids: Free pickup in as little as 24–48 hours, even for non-running vehicles; (877) 527-7454. Website: kars4kids.org [49]. Title, documentation, pickup, and tax-receipt requirements vary by vehicle and program. Confirm the current requirements with the selected organization before scheduling pickup.

Reusable clothing and textiles

SA3 Community Recycling and ATRS

  • SA3 Community Recycling: Free curbside pickup of gently used clothing, shoes, belts, ties, handbags, and other fabric items; (210) 338-9434. Website: sa3communityrecycling.com [50]
  • American Textile Recycling Service: Donation bins accept gently used clothing and paired shoes; household textiles may be accepted where the individual bin signage says so. Use the ATRS locator to identify a current bin and follow that bin's posted acceptance rules. Website: atrscorp.com [51]

Regional hospice resale

Hope Hospice Thrift Shop

  • Address: 613 N Walnut Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130
  • Phone: (830) 625-4746
  • Store hours: Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Donation hours: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday 9 a.m.–noon, or until the donation bin is full.
  • Note: A regional hospice-run resale shop in New Braunfels; proceeds support hospice care in the San Antonio–New Braunfels area.
  • Website: hopehospice.net/thrift-shop [52]

Pickup services vs. drop-off only

Most Hill Country venues are drop-off only and run on volunteer hours. A small set of programs will come to you, and one of them, Hill Country Animal League, is based in Boerne rather than San Antonio. Verified as of September 2026:

Service What they pick up How to schedule Cost
Goodwill San Antonio Gently used furniture and other bulky household goods Schedule through Goodwill San Antonio's current Home Pickup form; service is available in San Antonio and select nearby areas Free where the address and items qualify
Hill Country Animal League (Boerne) Large donated items Online pickup form, or (830) 249-8040 Free
Habitat Home Centers Furniture, appliances, cabinets, building materials, on their accepted list Online pickup reservation with a photo, subject to approval Free
The Salvation Army (SATruck) Furniture, clothing, and household goods Online at satruck.org [53] or 1-800-728-7825 Free
SA3 Community Recycling Clothing, shoes, belts, ties, handbags, other fabric items By phone, (210) 338-9434 Free
Cycle It Forward Bicycles, running or not Email a bike photo plus your name, address, and phone number to media@carabinshaw.com Free
Goodwill San Antonio vehicles Cars, trucks, motorcycles, RVs, boats, trailers, and many other vehicle types; final acceptance depends on the specific vehicle and its accessibility for towing (888) 706-8580 or goodwillsa.careasy.org Free, includes towing
Kars4Kids vehicles Any vehicle, any condition (877) 527-7454 or kars4kids.org Free pickup in 24–48 hours
Hope Hospice Thrift Shop / Haul Buddy Donated goods and other removal items Schedule through the pickup option linked by Hope Hospice Paid service; obtain current quote
Other drop-offs Hours and intake rules vary by organization Use the organization's published donation hours; where none are published, call before going Usually free unless otherwise noted

The pattern to remember: furniture and vehicles have pickup routes; most everything else is drop-off only, so match your trip to the store's posted hours.

What places accept, and what they will not take

A few rules of thumb apply Hill Country-wide, and they will save you trips:

  • Mattresses and box springs: Almost no charity thrift here takes them. HCAL names them explicitly [5], Hope Center refuses them [17][17A], and the rest generally point you to disposal. Call before you bring one.
  • Large appliances: Hope Center currently lists refrigerators and water heaters among its exclusions [17][17A]. Second Chances excludes large appliances [23]. Habitat Home Centers accepts qualifying appliances only when they meet its current condition and age requirements; its published exclusions include dishwashers, garbage disposals, and built-in appliances [28]. Check the current list before transporting any appliance.
  • Baby gear: Second Chances will not take cribs, walkers, or car seats [23]; Hope Center refuses baby furniture, and its pages list bottles and pacifiers among exclusions, though the two pages are not fully synchronized [17][17A]. Car seats in particular are a hard no at most places for safety and liability reasons.
  • Furniture across the board: Most organizations say the same thing in different words: call first. Space is finite, quality bars differ, and a furniture load is the most likely donation to be turned away.
  • Electronics: The animal league takes some working electronics but refuses computers, printers, and fax machines [5]. A convenient electronics route is Best Buy, which currently accepts up to 10 qualified recycling items per household per day, subject to special limits for laptops, TVs, monitors, and other categories and to product-specific size and fee rules [31]. San Antonio city residents also have the city's eligible household-hazardous-waste/electronics options [32].
  • Anything hazardous: Paint, chemicals, batteries, and oil belong in the disposal system, not a thrift bin. See the Four-County Disposal Directory for the full county-by-county picture.

And the easiest rule of all: if the item is broken, stained, torn, or half-used, a thrift store is not the right stop. Unsellable goods cost charities disposal fees, and turning them away is standard practice, not rudeness.

How to claim a donation tax deduction correctly

For the noncash household goods covered by this directory, a federal charitable-contribution deduction generally requires itemizing. Beginning with tax year 2026, taxpayers who do not itemize may separately deduct up to $1,000 of qualifying cash contributions, or $2,000 if married filing jointly; that new non-itemizer provision applies to qualifying cash contributions, not donated furniture, clothing, or other household property. Tax rules and limitations can change, so verify the current IRS guidance or consult a tax professional [57A].

New for 2026: Itemizers are also subject to a 0.5%-of-AGI floor on charitable contributions. In general, the portion of otherwise allowable charitable contributions at or below 0.5% of adjusted gross income is not deductible for 2026. See current IRS guidance for application of the rule, per IRS Publication 505 [57A].

When you do itemize, the rules are mechanical and worth following exactly:

  • Value it at fair market value: For used goods, that is what the item would sell for in a thrift store, not what you paid for it. Clothing and household items must be in at least good used condition or better to be deductible at all [54][55].
  • Get a written acknowledgment for gifts of $250 or more: For any single contribution of $250 or more, the charity must give you a contemporaneous written acknowledgment describing what you donated and stating whether you received anything in return [56].
  • File Form 8283 when required: IRS Topic 506 generally requires one or more Forms 8283 when the deduction for a noncash contribution exceeds $500. Additional aggregation rules apply to groups of similar donated items, so do not assume that dividing similar property among separate donations avoids the reporting requirements [56][57].
  • Get a qualified appraisal above $5,000: When the claimed value of donated property, or a group of similar items, exceeds $5,000, you generally need a qualified appraisal and the corresponding section of Form 8283 [55][57].
  • Vehicles have special federal rules: If a qualified charity sells a donated vehicle in an arm's-length sale and no exception applies, a deduction above $500 is generally limited to the smaller of the vehicle's fair market value or the charity's gross sale proceeds. If the charity sells the vehicle for $500 or less and no exception applies, the deduction is generally the smaller of $500 or the vehicle's fair market value. Different rules can apply when the charity makes significant intervening use or a material improvement, or transfers the vehicle to a needy individual in furtherance of its charitable purpose. A claimed vehicle deduction above $500 generally requires the charity's contemporaneous written acknowledgment, commonly Form 1098-C, and Form 8283 [48][49][57B].
  • Keep the receipt: A dated receipt with a description of the items, plus your notes on condition and value, is what you stand on if the IRS ever asks [56].

Consignment is different: when you consign an item, you are selling it and nothing is deductible. If the shop does not sell your piece within the consignment period, you take it back or authorize a donation, and only then does a donation receipt become possible.

Timing and holiday tips

  • Year-end volume: Year-end donation volume can affect capacity and holiday hours. If donating in December, check the organization's current hours and capacity before loading a large donation; do the same during the post-holiday cleanout period in January.
  • Holiday closures are real: Goodwill San Antonio closes on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas [19]; the Salvation Army family store is closed Sundays [22]; volunteer-run shops close for their posted days and for weather. Check the linked page before a holiday weekend trip.
  • Weekday timing: For large cleanouts, weekday mornings can be easier operationally at some locations, but individual donation schedules and capacity vary. Check the specific organization before leaving home rather than relying on a general day-of-week rule.
  • Just Between Friends is a seasonal pop-up rather than a permanent store: Check the current San Antonio Northwest event page before planning around it; as of September 2, 2026, the next posted event is November 4–7 in Boerne [14].
  • Schedule pickups before the dumpster: For a full-house cleanout, book the Goodwill or Salvation Army pickup first where it serves your address, fill the drop-offs second, and only then pay for disposal of the residue.

Safety tips, including the after-hours rule

The single most important rule in this directory: never leave donations outside a store after hours. Charities across this list tell you the same story. Bags and boxes left at the door get picked over, scattered, soaked by rain, and claimed by animals, and the charity ends up paying to haul away what you meant as a gift. It can also be treated as illegal dumping, which can mean a fine. If you arrive after closing, take it home and come back during posted hours.

  • Protect your personal information: Wipe computers, tablets, and phones before recycling or donating them, and never donate a phone that still has your accounts logged in [39].
  • Protect medication privacy: Follow the specific kiosk or take-back program's posted packaging instructions. Before using a take-back option, remove or obscure all personal information on prescription labels and medicine packaging. Do not assume that every collector has the same container or packaging requirements.
  • Do not prop doors or block fire exits: A few stores keep their donation door locked between shifts; that is a staffing decision, not an invitation to stack things against it.
  • Secure your vehicle: Donation centers are high-traffic parking areas. Lock the car while you unload, and do not leave valuables visible when you make the second trip into the store.
  • For pickup programs, be home or leave the load behind the gate you were told to use: The Goodwill, Salvation Army, and SA3 crews follow the instructions you give at scheduling. If the instructions say to leave it on the porch, that is the exception to the after-hours rule, because staff approved that spot in advance [19][22][50].

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave donations outside after hours?

No. Do not leave donations outside a closed store or unattended at a donation site unless the organization has specifically instructed you to do so. Use published donation hours where available; when this directory says hours are unpublished or unclear, call before going.

Where in Fair Oaks Ranch can I drop off donations?

I did not find a current general-purpose charity donation center operating inside Fair Oaks Ranch city limits during the September 2026 verification. The nearest verified general-purpose options in this directory are in Boerne and along the I-10/Loop 1604 corridor.

Which places take furniture?

Furniture acceptance is highly capacity-dependent. Fabulous Finds, Sisters' Attic, HCAL Thrift, Random Hangers, Bulverde Thrift Store, the Salvation Army, Habitat Home Centers, and other listed organizations may accept qualifying furniture subject to their current policies and available space. Second Chances accepts large furniture only by appointment. Hope Center's current general donation page lists furniture as not accepted, although its dedicated thrift-store page does not repeat that category, so call before bringing furniture there. HCAL, Habitat, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army offer pickup for qualifying items, subject to item approval and service area.

What is the difference between donating and consigning?

Donating is a gift to a nonprofit and can be tax-deductible. Consigning means the shop sells your item and pays you a share of the price; nothing is deductible, but you get cash.

Do donation pickups cost anything?

Most of the charity pickup programs highlighted here are free when your address and items qualify, but service areas and approval rules apply. Goodwill, for example, limits free home pickup to San Antonio and select nearby areas. Hope Hospice also links to a separate paid pickup/removal service. Confirm availability and cost when scheduling.

Why did a thrift store turn down my perfectly good item?

Usually it is space, seasons, or a specific safety policy, not a judgment on you. Mattresses, car seats, and large appliances top most refusal lists. Ask what they are short on right now; stores often buy or accept different categories week to week.

Can I donate torn or stained clothing?

Not based on the current published guidance for the programs listed here. SA3 asks for gently used clothing and reusable household textiles, and ATRS asks for gently used clothing, paired shoes, and eligible household textiles. Torn, badly stained, wet, moldy, or otherwise unusable material should not be placed in a donation bin unless a specific textile-recycling program expressly says it accepts damaged material.

What is the fastest way to clear an entire house?

Consider HCAL's Boerne-based pickup first for qualifying large donations, then check the Goodwill, Salvation Army, or Habitat routes for remaining items. Run clothing and household goods through the verified Boerne thrift and resale options, check the current consignment/resale shops before giving away higher-value pieces, and use the electronics and specialty-item sections for anything that needs a dedicated recycling or reuse route. What remains is genuinely small, and the companion disposal directory covers the residue.

Sources

A note on accuracy

A note on accuracy. Listings in this directory were checked against current primary sources wherever available as of September 2, 2026. Where a small organization does not maintain a reliable current webpage or does not publish a needed detail, the strongest available secondary source was used and that limitation is identified in the listing. Hours, acceptance lists, capacity, fees, and pickup availability can change without notice. Check the linked source or call before transporting furniture, appliances, large loads, or specialty items. Tax information is general educational guidance and is not individualized tax advice.

Published and last verified September 2, 2026.