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Thrift Stores Accepting Donations in El Cajon, CA

3 of the 15 thrift stores we list in El Cajon have donation drop-off.

A store's "thrift store" category on Google doesn't tell you whether it actually takes donations — some are consignment-only, some fund a specific charity and only want certain items, and some have stopped accepting drop-offs altogether. Every thrift store on this page has its donation policy confirmed on the store's own website, not assumed from the category.

  1. Goodwill Retail Store And Donation Center

    420 N 2nd St, El Cajon, CA 92021-6446

    Accepts donationsPickup serviceOnline store
    Call Website Directions

    Spotted an error? Let us know

  2. Veterans Thrift Store

    1130 E Main St, El Cajon, CA 92021-7102

    Mon - Sat 8:00 am - 6:30 pm, Sun 9:30 am - 5:00 pm

    Accepts donationsPickup service
    Call Website Directions

    Spotted an error? Let us know

  3. St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

    2325 Fletcher Pkwy, El Cajon, CA 92020

    Accepts donations
    Call Website Directions

    Spotted an error? Let us know

Call ahead if you have furniture or electronics. Most thrift stores gladly take clothing, housewares, and books anytime, but bulky items like furniture, mattresses, and electronics are often restricted, seasonal, or require a scheduled drop-off.

More in El Cajon and California

Thrift Stores Accepting Donations near El Cajon

Good to know

Do thrift stores give tax receipts for donations?

Nonprofit-run thrift stores — Goodwill, Salvation Army, and similar charity operations — typically hand out a blank donation receipt you fill in yourself for tax purposes, since IRS rules require the donor, not the charity, to estimate the value. For-profit resale shops usually don't offer receipts since donations aren't tax-deductible there.

What items do thrift stores not accept?

Most won't take items that are stained, broken, recalled, or missing safety parts — think damaged furniture, expired car seats, or exposed electrical cords. Many also decline mattresses, box springs, and old CRT televisions due to disposal costs or local regulations.