What stores are best to ask for tangible donations for a garage sale benefitting a Humane Society?

Question

I am hosting a garage sale for a Humane Society, and would love to have some new products donated from some stores for the sale. I am wondering what places are the best to ask, how to approach asking, and what to ask for... (i.e. Should I ask Wal Mart, Target, PetCo, Petsmart, CostCo, Tom Thumb, etc.) and what is the best way to ask? I am going to write the request formally on a letterhead with the information of the sale, and then list the sponsors who donate items for people to see at the garage sale, as well as on our website. Any advice is GREATLY appreciated. Thank you !!!

Answer 1

Try to pick a theme for the garage sale - focus on household items or pet-related items or clothing, instead of having small piles of random stuff.  People are more likely to attend a garage sale that has a lot to choose from in a specific area (like a dozen different toasters), rather than fewer choices in very different areas (one toaster, one pair of skis, one box of cookies, etc).

Also, few companies are allowed to sell items for resell - that is, if they know you are going to be selling the item again for profit.  You might have better luck asking the companies to donate items that the shelter needs (dog beds, towels, pet food, etc) and offer to advertise them at the sale.  You could also ask them to do a matching cash grant - if you raise $1000 dollars, they give you another $1000, and so on.

Try to turn the garage sale into more of an event, like a carnival, so that people will be more likely to come out, and so that the companies who donate will get more advertising.

Answer 2

I dunno about tangible goods to be sold....but I do know that Walmart, Petco and Petsmart will donate expired, torn, and less than pretty looking food items to the local humane society--just by asking them (formally). Walmart will also post pictures of animals for adoption in their pet food/merchandise isle.......they will also give old newspapers and magazines that are needed for bed lining and toilets....I truly don't know about other goods, but it doesn't hurt to try.

Answer 3

privately owned or franchises are best, most corporate owned business have to go through their home offices to be given permission to give donations and the process could take a long time (usually to deter being asked for donations)

Answer 4

As a former fund raiser for The Salvation Army, here is what I found.

Ask everyone you know personally to donate, contact every store, every foundation, every veterinarian, especially those in the neighborhood of the Humane Society.

Some will give you goods to sell, some will actually give you money. WalMart has a community program. Many WalMarts give grants of $500.00 or $1,000.00, Target does too.

Don't be bashful. You won't get, if you don't ask!