Well, Cincinnati, we’ve made it. It’s the equinox. Daylight Savings Time is back. Spring is here!

And that means, recent late cold snap aside, warm weather is just around the corner. Many Tristate seniors are conducting their yearly spring cleaning rituals, clearing out accumulated clutter and getting ready for annual garage sales.

But some of us aren’t clearing items out of our homes because we need more space. Many of us are planning to move out of our homes and into smaller, more affordable places or retirement communities.

Did you know that you can realize significant tax savings and accomplish your decluttering goals by donating household goods, clothing and other items to charities, non-profit civic and faith-based organizations?

Whether you're preparing to move into a retirement community or trying to make room in your senior apartment, there are plenty of local places where you can find a good home for your gently used clothing and furniture. Here are a few of your best bets in Cincinnati:

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati builds, renovates and refurbishes affordable homes for low-income families in the Tristate area. Its ReStores sell donated new or gently used appliances, furniture, cabinets, household items and building materials to fund Habitat’s mission.

You can drop off items at any ReStore location from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ReStores are located in Bond Hill, Cheviot and Hamilton in Ohio, and Bellevue and Florence in Northern Kentucky.

Habitat for Humanity will also pick up large items. You can schedule a donation pick-up by clicking here and completing the online form, or by calling 513-721-GIVE during normal business hours.

Dress for Success

Dress for Success Cincinnati assists women in distressing financial or personal circumstances to obtain the professional-appropriate clothing they need for job interviews.

The not-for-profit also helps beneficiaries transition out of abusive relationships, drug use, homelessness, or the criminal justice system into productive, positive and self-sustaining careers, with networking opportunities, career counseling, resume writing assistance and more.

In Her Own Words 2016 from Dress for Success Cincinnati on Vimeo.

If you wish to donate gently used women’s clothing or clothing accents, you can do so on Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Dress for Success’s storefront at 208 McFarland St. in downtown Cincinnati. You may also drop off items at the Tide Dry Cleaner locations in Mason and Anderson Township, or at Portaluca in College Hill.

City Gospel Mission

City Gospel Mission provides transitional housing and counseling services for homeless men, women and children. They have a great need for gently used clothing, personal items and food. It also accepts computers and computer accessories in good working condition.

Additionally, the charity holds a silent auction fundraiser every year to support its operations, so it is always in need of donated items to auction off. Suggested items include sports memorabilia, jewelry and art.

Amvets of Ohio

Amvets provides career counseling, training and employment assistance for veterans, active duty service members and members of the National Guard and Reserves who have served America honorably. It also provides scholarships for veterans and their children.

This non-profit accepts donations of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes (no boots), bedding items (except mattresses), curtains and drapes, housewares, glassware, linens, radios and small appliances. It does not accept TVs, large furniture, baby items, or large appliances.

FreeStore Food Bank

The FreeStore isn’t just a food bank. It’s also a clothing provider for the homeless and working poor. It’s always in need of shirts, pants, new socks, new underwear and undershirts, woolen hats, jackets, coats, scarves and gloves.

Professionally-appropriate clothing donations support the FreeStore’s Back on Track program which, like Dress for Success, helps people in dire circumstances obtain the clothing they need to become self-reliant.

St. Vincent DePaul

The Society of St. Vincent DePaul’s thrift stores are located throughout the Tristate. Proceeds from the thrift stores support a wide variety of programs that the Society provides to our most vulnerable neighbors.

The thrift stores sell all manner of clothing, household goods, furniture, knick-knacks, electronics, record media and more. Items may be dropped off in person. Large items can be scheduled for pickup at your home.

Vietnam Veterans of America

Vietnam Veterans of America provides claims assistance and counseling to veterans in need. It also promotes PTSD awareness and community involvement for them, and advocates on issues affecting veterans.

This non-profit organization accepts a wide variety of donated items. You can find the full list here and even schedule a pick-up.

Ohio Valley Goodwill

Like St. Vincent DePaul, Goodwill operates thrift stores throughout the area in support of the many services it provides to disabled individuals, the homeless, distressed veterans and more of our neighbors in need.

Donated clothing, furniture, home goods, books, recorded media, knick-knacks and toys may be dropped off at Goodwill outlets or designated collection centers. Large items may be scheduled for pick-up. The non-profit even accepts donations of used or non-operational vehicles.

Matthew 25: Ministries

Help those in need by donating new or slightly used items to Matthew 25: Ministries. They accept product donations from corporations, organizations and individuals nationwide, including items that are misprinted, slightly damaged, over-stocked or gently used. These donations are sorted in our warehouse and then redistributed to the poorest of the poor and disaster victims in the United States and around the world.

They are in need of gently used clothing, non-perishable food, school supplies, and more! For more information, visit their website.

Donate your items to a good cause and declutter this spring.

If it’s time to downsize out of your home into a senior apartment or retirement community, help out some of our most vulnerable neighbors by donating to the charities and civic not-for-profits that support them.