We accept a large variety of baby/toddler items for children ages 0-4 years and for pregnant/postpartum mothers. We also now accept textile recycling!
Use the following guide to check which items may and may not be accepted as donations.
High-priority items
Urgent Essentials
Donated baby Items our Sharing Center needs most due to high demand:
- Diapers size 7
- Formula (all brands and kinds)
- Tampons
- Baby wash, lotion, and diaper rash cream
- Nursing pads
- Gently used baby equipment
- Shop Amazon Wishlist
Desirable Supplies
Items on our wish list include:
- Garbage bags (13 & 55 gallon)
- White & color printer paper
- Paper grocery bags
- Individually wrapped snacks for volunteers
- Bottled water for volunteers
- Shop Amazon Wishlist for Supplies
View our contact page for mailing information.
View our donation page to make a financial donation.
Material Donation Guide
Baby Items Accepted for Donation
Baby Clothes & Accessories
- Clothes (new and used, preemie to size 5T)
- Shoes or boots
- Coats
- Hats and mittens
- Swimwear
Bedtime & Nursery
- Crib (in good working condition that have not been recalled – Must have all the hardware. No drop down side and slate distance must be no more than 2 3/8 inches wide)
- Crib mattresses
- Bassinets
- Pack ‘n Plays (new for Safe Sleep Program or used for the Sharing Center)
- Sheets (crib, bassinet, Pack ‘n Play, or changing table)
- Blankets
- Baby books
Diapering
Diapers
- Diapers* (preemie to size 8)
- Pull-ups* (2/3T to 5/6T
- Cloth Diapers (No stains, elastic and buttons in working condition)
*Most needed sizes: Larger sizes are what we go through the most. (5-7)
Open packages of diapers and pull-ups are welcome!
Diaper Accessories
- Wet Bags
- Diaper Pails
- Diaper Genie
- Wipes
- Changing table
- Changing table mattresses
Gear & Equipment
- Strollers (any kind: umbrella, standard, jogging, double, triple)
- Baby-wearing carriers
- Car seat covers
- Potty chairs and potty seats
- Baby gates
- Baby-proofing items
- Other baby safety items
Feeding
Food
- Formula (all brands; not expired and not opened)
- Baby food (all brands and types; not expired and not opened)
- Pedialyte
- Pediasure
Feeding Equipment
- Bottles
- Milk storage bags
- Drying racks
- Burp cloths
- Bibs
- Pacifiers and pacifier clips
- Teething toys
- Sippy cups
- Kid plates
- Kid silverware
- High-chairs (must have straps)
- Booster feeding seats
Maternity & Nursing Items
- Maternity and nursing clothes of all sizes (e.g. pants, shirts, bras, belts, compression socks, etc.)
- Nursing accessories:
- Nursing pads
- Nursing pillows
- Nursing covers
- Breast pumps (closed systems and pump parts)
- Milk storage bags
- Pregnancy pillows
- Menstrual care products
Toys & Activities
- Swings
- Bouncy seats (e.g. Exersaucers, Jumperoo)
- Baby books
- Baby toys
- Bath toys
Supplies for Babies & Beyond
- Stamps for postage
- Paper grocery bags
- Toilet Paper
- Hand Soap
- Pens
- Industrial food seal-wrap (for bundling diapers)
- Individually wrapped snacks for volunteers
- Bottled water
- Rubber bands
- Safety pins
- Colored paper
- Kitchen garbage bags
- Paper Towels
Items We Cannot Accept
Items with Safety Concerns
We aim to provide clients with items that will help keep them and their children safe. For this reason, we cannot accept:
- Car seats and car seat bases
- Car Booster seats
- Crib bumpers and canopies
- Rock ‘n Plays (recalled item)
- Expired or open formula
- Expired or open baby food
Items with Quality Concerns
We aim to provide clients with items in good condition. For this reason, we cannot accept items that are:
- Excessively old or worn*
- Ripped, stained, damaged, or broken items*
- Incomplete (missing pieces)
*New! We are now recycling textiles that can no longer be used. Clothing or blankets that are ripped, stained, or old can be dropped off for recycling. Place them in a garbage bag and label “Textile Recycling.”
Items Outside the Scope of Our Services
Our target clientele are families with children that are 0 to 4 years old. For this reason, we do not accept:
- Children clothes of size 6 or above
- Non-maternity adult clothing
Textile Recycling
We are recycling textiles that include: clothing of any size, blankets, sheets, towels, shoes (that are paired and tied or rubber banded together). Place them in a garbage bag and label “Textile Recycling.”
We cannot accept pillows, teddy bears, or fabric scraps for textile recycling.
This green fundraiser is a great way to recycle used clothing, keeping it out of the landfill while easily raising money for our organization.
Why Should We Recycle Used Clothing?
Clothing and household textiles currently make-up 4.67% of the waste stream.
The used clothing industry provides lower income people around the world with affordable clothing. Clothing that is damaged is recycled into wiping rags. Clothing and textiles not suitable for wiping purposes are processed back into fibers that are then remanufactured into paper, yarn, insulation, carpet padding, sound proofing.
How We Recycle
Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
We Reduce solid waste through the life extension of textiles while also reducing energy & water consumption through the distribution of reclaimed wipers (recycled rags) vs. manufactured. The use of reclaimed wipers support a cleaner, healthier environment.
We Reuse gently worn clothing through wholesaling or exporting to less developed or developing countries (secondhand clothing as well as household industrial linens).
We Recycle old garments, towels and institutional linens as they are transformed to wiping cloths needed for industrial use.
What Happens to My Clothing?
- 45% of donated items are worn as second hand clothing.
- 30% of donated items are recycled into wiping cloths.
- 15% of donated items are reprocessed into fibers.
- 5% of donated items are unusable.
Questions
These lists are not comprehensive. If you have any questions about whether we would accept a particular item, please email volunteer@babiesandbeyondwi.org.
Donation Drop-Off
Drop-Off Locations
Donation Center
The Donation Center is located at the back of the Sharing Center building. To check when we’re accepting donations, view our Sharing Center’s open hours.
To access the Donation Center, drive to the back of the building. VOLUNTEER & Donation Center ENTRANCE labeled with our Babies & Beyond logo. Ring the doorbel or come on in if the door is propped open and a volunteer will assist you. Tax receipts are available by the door or also by request.
Please do not leave items outside by the door during off-hours or throw in the dumpsters. Leaving items out in the elements may ruin them and costs us extra in time and money.
Partner Drop-Off Locations
We have several partner locations where you can drop-off items. Though please note that large items and large amounts of donations should be brought directly to our Donation Center.
| Location | Address | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church | 5313 Flad Ave, Madison | Donation Pack ‘n Play located in the narthex |
| Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church | 2116 Hollister Ave, Madison | Donation basket located at the top of the step in church narthex |
| Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church | 5101 Schofield Street, Monona | Donation bin located in Usher’s room in church narthex |
| St. Bernard Catholic Church | 2015 Parmenter Street, Middleton | Donation Pack ‘n Play located outside the Mother’s Room in the narthex of the church |
| Once Upon a Child – Madison East | 1615 Thierer Road, Madison | Donations of Diapers, Baby Wipes and Formula only |
Preparing Items for Drop-Off
To enhance the efficiency of our intake procedure, we kindly request your assistance in preparing your items prior to drop-off. This may include:
- Wiping down/cleaning items
- Washing clothing
- Putting items in bags, boxes, or bins (non-returnable) with labels
- Separating and labeling by size and gender (if possible)
- Containing smaller, loose items (e.g. game pieces, toys, socks, etc.) in Ziploc bags, labeled and taped shut
- Textiles for recycling: clothing or blankets that are ripped, stained, or old can be dropped off for recycling. Place them in a garbage bag and label “Textile Recycling.”
Open Hours
Sharing Center Hours
Regular open hours for our clients to visit and shop for free items at the Sharing Center.
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
| Wednesday | Closed |
| Thursday | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
Donation Drop-Off Hours
Regular open hours when our donors can drop-off material donations at the Donation Center.
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm |
| Tuesday | 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm |
| Wednesday | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Thursday | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm |
