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Thrift Stores Accepting Donations in Santa Cruz, CA

4 of the 13 thrift stores we list in Santa Cruz 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. Grey Bears

    2710 Chanticleer Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95065-1812

    healthy food program

    Accepts donationsFurniture
    Call Website Directions

    Spotted an error? Let us know

  2. Thrift Center

    1305 Water St, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

    Accepts donations
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  3. Goodwill

    1500 Mission Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

    Accepts donationsOnline store
    Website Directions

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  4. The Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Benefit Shop

    870 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062-4166

    Accepts donations
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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.

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Thrift Stores Accepting Donations near Santa Cruz

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.