Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What happens to items that don't quite meet Welcome Home's standards?
    During Donor drop off days, our volunteers check items to ensure that they are in good working condition (for appliances) and are not stained, chipped, or torn, etc. If we determine that an item is not in usable condition, we will not be able to accept it. Please see this link for items that we are able (and unable) to accept. In some cases, there may be items that Welcome Home cannot accept due to space limitations. Through our partnership with the Newton Food Pantry (NFP) we are able to pass those items on to clients of NFP.

  2. I live nearby.  Can I just swing by and drop off items during the week?
    Welcome Home only accepts items by appointment. Appointments are available on Mondays from 1-2pm, Wednesdays from 2-3pm, and Thursdays from 1030-1130am. For more information on how to donate items and to make an appointment, please see this link.

  3. I have items to donate - can you come to my home to pick them up?
    Welcome Home is unable to pick up items at donor's homes. Drop offs to Welcome Home are by appointment only. To make an appointment to bring items to Welcome Home, please see this link.

  4. For tax purposes, will I receive a receipt for the items I donate?
    You will receive an email receipt within a week after donating your items.

  5. Do you take furniture?
    At this time we do not accept furniture.  Here is a link to organizations that accept furniture and other goods Welcome Home cannot.

  6. I’ve driven past 1191 Washington Street and I do not see a sign for Welcome Home. Where are you?
    We are down Dunstan Street in the rear of the 1191 Washington Street building. Please drive down Dunstan and we are the first driveway on the left.

  7. How do I sign up to donate items?
    Click here to schedule an appointment to drop off a donation using SignUp Genius.  If you would prefer to schedule over email, please email us at welcomehomemass@gmail.com.

  8. Do you accept decorative items like framed prints and baskets?
    YES! We are happy to accept decorative items that our clients can use to make their surroundings feel like home.  While we accept framed prints (up to 24”x36”), baskets, cookie jars, etc., we cannot accept vases or very large items. Some decorative items find their way to our other clients at the Newton Food Pantry.

  9. What happens to items that are broken or otherwise not appropriate to provide to your clients
    Sometimes an item is accepted and no one realized it had a hidden chip or the elastic had given on a fitted sheet.  It happens!  Those items are recycled through Simple Recycling who pays us for our recycling by the pound.  

  10. Can you accept very large donations?
    YES! Our volunteers are always ready to help remove items from your car and sort through them in just a few minutes time. In our new larger space we are able to store more home goods for our clients.

  11. I cannot lift anything heavy.  Can you help me with the boxes?
    ​YES! So that we are fully prepared and staffed to accept your donation, we ask that you alert us ahead of time.  You can do this via email or through a comment in SignUp Genius. Our volunteers will be standing by to accept your donation. You don’t even have to get out of your car if you would prefer to stay seated. Unfortunately, we cannot pick up donations from a private home.