To help a new refugee family get a good start in San Diego, the IRC provides household items for their apartment including sofas, dishes, kitchen appliances, toiletries, and other items needed when setting up a household. We rely on the local community to assist us in providing these items. If you have gently used items which you would like to donate to the IRC, please contact us.
Due to storage restraints, there may be times when we are unable to accept certain items. For large items, we do our best to give them immediately to a newly arrived family. If we are out of storage space and do not have a family arriving soon, we may not be able to take the item.
Please contact Sharon Darrough to see if your items are currently in need: 619 641-7510, ext. 249 or sharond@theIRC.org.
Gift Basket Program
If you would like to welcome a new refugee family, please consider preparing a gift basket for a family of 5. The "basket" may be a bucket, trash can, or laundry basket. The baskets will be given directly to a refugee family. This is an ideal project for individuals or community groups:
Hygiene Gift Basket
- 2 bottles of Shampoo
- 8 bars of soap
- 2 bottles of hand soap
- 2 tubes of toothpaste
- 5 toothbrushes
- 2 deodorants (1 male, 1 female)
- 2 boxes of maxi pads
Cleaning Gift Basket
- Sponges
- Dish towels
- 2 bottles of dish soap
- 1 box/bottle of laundry detergent
- Bathroom/Kitchen cleaner (ex. 409)
- 1 box of kitchen trash bags
- 1 bottle of bleach
Please contact Sharon Darrough with any questions or to arrange to drop off a gift basket(s): 619 641-7510, ext. 249 or sharond@theIRC.org.
We cannot accept:
- beds (mattress, box spring, headboard or frame)
- sofa beds or entertainment units
- books (unless they are children’s books)
- large appliances such as refrigerators, washer/dryer, or dishwashers
- large filing cabinets
Tax Deductions
The International Rescue Committee is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law – you will receive a receipt for your donation. It will be your responsibility to estimate the value of your donated items for tax purposes.
Donation Pick Ups
We are able to pick up donations on Fridays only; however, this must be arranged in advance. We will pick up sofas, kitchen tables/chairs, small dressers and coffee/end tables if you are not able to bring the items to our office. All items must be in good condition – we do not have the resources to refurnish or repair items. Due to their heavy weight, we cannot pick up or receive sofa beds, large desks or entertainments units. For more information or to schedule a pick-up, please contact Sharon at sharond@theIRC.org or (619) 641-7510, ext. 249.
Group Activities
Some civic, community, religious or school groups like to do charity activities to raise awareness, build community, and contribute to a good cause. If you would like to learn how your group can help the International Rescue Committee in San Diego, please contact Sharon Darrough at sharond@theIRC.org or (619) 641-7510, ext. 249.
Sample group projects include:
- "Adopting" a newly arrived refugee family and providing all or a significant amount of items needed for their apartment (we can give you a list)
- Creating gift baskets (see above) for new refugee families
- Adopting the IRC Mother Preschool Program and provided much needed supplies for the program
- Purchasing back packs and filling them with school supplies for refugee children
- Hosting an event – for example, showing a refugee related film
- Inviting an IRC speaker to your meeting or event
- Coordinating a drive to collect household items, new toiletries, children’s clothing, etc.
- Helping to recruit volunteers – an IRC representative can attend events or send materials
Car Donations
The International Rescue Committee can accept working cars as a donation. Your car will be given to a refugee client who is employed and needs transportation to and from work. This is a great way to help a hard working refugee while also receiving a tax donation for your vehicle. An IRC employee will assist will all paper work. To arrange to donate a car, please contact Sharon Darrough at sharond@theIRC.org or (619) 641-7510, ext. 249.
Financial Donations
Your financial support can help us to do our work better. IRC is an excellent steward of your money; Money, Worth, and Smart Money magazines recently recognized IRC as a top charity. Over 90% of your donation goes directly to assist refugees in San Diego. You can specify which program you would like to support. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. Contact Sharon at (619) 641-7510 x 249 or sharond@theIRC.org.
