Simplify Your Home – 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge

Join us in taking an opportunity this Lenten season to de-clutter your home. Whether you get rid of 4 bags or 40 bags, you’ll see how good it feels to not only get rid of things but to help local non-profits in the process. You may also have an opportunity to win some organizational help. Drop off bags at one of our selected community partners, and receive a chance to win 2 hours of organizing services!

Take to one of our community partners below during the stated days and times between Feb 14 and Mar 28 to be distributed to local non-profits:
Tues. 9am – Noon – Laskowski Insurance – 4620 Buffalo Rd
Wed. 9am – 11am – St. Joseph Bread of Life Clothing Store -147 W 24th St
Thurs. 10am – 2pm – Rep Bob Merski’s Office – 3921 Buffalo Road
Thurs. 4pm – 7pm – Razor’s Edge Salon – 5124 Iroquois Ave
Sat. 9am – Noon – Eastside YMCA – 2101 Nagle Rd (North Child Care Entrance)

EASTSIDE YMCA DROP OFF SHOES ONLY ANYTIME DURING OUR HOURS OF OPERATION:
Mon – Thur 5:00am – 9:00pm
Fri 5:00am – 8:00pm
Sat 7:00am – 5:00pm
Sun 8:00am – 2:00pm

Items to be donated will go to the following non-profits:
St. Joseph Bread of Life Clothing Store will keep any donations they can use.
YMCA will keep any shoes – Y fundraiser (Funds2Orgs).
Dress for Success, Re-entry Program in need of professional attire.
City Mission, Mercy Center for Women in need of coats and winter items.
St Joseph BOL, Mercy Center for Women, Red Cross in need of any adult and kid’s clothing
Kids Club at EHA in need of kids’ costumes in good condition.
High Schools in need of Prom dresses.
Foster Care in need of suitcases/backpacks/duffle bags.
City Mission in need of sleeping bags (weather-rated).
Ella Cochran Food Pantry in need of pantry items (non-expired, please)

Unfortunately, our volunteers cannot give receipts,.Please see IRS publication 526 regarding the value threshold for property contributions requiring receipts.

DRAWING INFORMATION: You will receive one ticket per bag to be put into a drawing (if the bag contains garbage, it will be documented and the ticket will be invalidated)Tickets will be entered into a drawing for one of the following items: 2 hours of organization services from Sandy’s Organizing Services 2 hours of organization services from Erie Organizing Service yet to be determined from FIXED Home Services See www.ymcaerie.org/2024/01/23/simplify-your-home-40-bags-in-40-days-challenge/ for updated prize information.

TIPS TO CLEAR CLUTTER: 20/20 Rule: Toss items you can replace for $20 and under 20 minutes. 80/20 Rule: We use 20% of our belongings 80% of the time. Either toss, donate, or store the 80% that you don’t use regularly. Five-Second Rule: Take five seconds to remember the last time an item was used. Can’t remember within five seconds? Toss it. Order Matters: Don’t just take our word for it – according to professional organizer Marie Kondo, organizing in this order – clothes, then books, then papers, then miscellaneous items, then sentimental items – has proven to be most efficient and most effective.