01/12/2025
Avoid Donating Clothing for LA Fire Relief
Today, I took a truckload of donations to LA from my local community for the LA fire relief efforts. After spending the day navigating the donation process, I’ve discovered that most major LA donation sites are no longer accepting clothing. I visited five locations and was turned away at each one.
The overwhelming public response has particularly impacted the LA Rose Bowl donation center (Parking Lot I). Their operations have been relocated multiple times, from 100 Walnut Street to the Race Course, and they are now accepting food and drinks only. Even so, the drop-off wait times were extraordinarily long.
Schools, community colleges, and other donation sites are also overwhelmed and actively turning people away with clothing donations.
The Salvation Army was the only organization I found that still accepts clothing in LA. Their process was efficient, well-organized, and fully staffed to handle large contributions—they emptied my truck in just minutes.
If you want your donations to reach those in need, focus on non-perishable food, water, and other high-priority essentials instead.
