Make a significant impact on someone’s life by donating your gently used heating pad. Understanding the hurdles of finding affordable and reliable durable medical equipment for my mom, I hope you’ll consider the options provided below and donate your heating pad to those in need.
This article is a simple guide listing the different methods and opportunities for donating your heating pads.
Where to donate a heating pad ? Gently used heating pad can be donated to –
- State Assistive Technology Projects
- state online equipment exchanges
- reuse centers
- community loan closets (state and local) and bikur cholim
- non-profit charities
- thrift stores
- medical equipment refurbishment projects
- faith-based organizations
- local churches
- senior centers
- veterans centers
- private individuals on classified websites and social media platforms
Contents Overview & Quicklinks
Donating heating pads to State Assistive Technology Programs
Donating heating pads to refurbishing and reuse Centers
Donating heating pads to Centers for Independent Living
Donating heating pads to Loan Closets
National and international organizations which accept heating pad donations
Online listing sites where you can donate a heating pad near you
Donating heating pads in your neighborhood
Organizations near you which may know where to donate heating pads
Donating heating pads to State Assistive Technology Programs
State Assistive Technology Programs (AT Programs) – Opting for state AT programs is a very good choice when donating your heating pad.
The programs aim to improve access to assistive technology devices, including durable medical equipment, for individuals living in the state.
State AT programs will normally offer the following programs –
- equipment lending libraries
- demonstration centers
- a network of reuse centers and refurbishing centers
- and may also have an online exchange site
By generously donating your heating pad to the state AT program, it will become part of the equipment stock available for loan to individuals in need in your state.
To find out about how to donate to your State AT Program, click on your state in the list below.
Click on your state to go to your State AT Program website
Donating your heating pad to Refurbishment or Reuse Centers
Medical equipment refurbishment centers and reuse centers, providing a meaningful opportunity to support individuals who cannot afford new equipment with the donation of your heating pad.
Medical equipment refurbishment centers will gladly accept any gently used heating pad you have. They will sanitize, make any repairs, and perform any necessary maintenance it requires, and find it a new home.
Many of these refurbishment centers are non-profit organizations and aim to redistribute it to those with low income, no health insurance, or elderly individuals in need, at the lowest cost possible or even for free.
Similarly, reuse centers play an important role in redistributing equipment.
At reuse centers, equipment also frequently finds its way to people in need, but without necessarily undergoing sanitization or refurbishment processes.
And like the refurbishing centers, they may also offer the equipment to individuals in need at affordable prices, or as donations. .
To find a center near you, just do an online search for “medical equipment refurbishing centers” or “reuse centers” near you.
Donating heating pad to Centers for Independent Living
Centers for Independent Living (CIL) support disabled individuals to maintain their independence in the community –
“provide independent living services for people with disabilities. CILs are at the core of ACL’s independent living programs, which work to support community living and independence for people with disabilities across the nation based on the belief that all people can live with dignity, make their own choices, and participate fully in society. These programs provide tools, resources, and supports for integrating people with disabilities fully into their communities to promote equal opportunities, self-determination, and respect.”
Source : https://acl.gov/programs/aging-and-disability-networks/centers-independent-living
Are you looking to support individuals with disabilities through your donation? Contact the Center for Independent Living in your area, as they often have loan closets stocked with equipment to assist their members, and your heating pad could be of significant help
Check for the center closest to you here – website.
Donating heating pads to community Medical Equipment Loan Closets
You can also make a difference with your donation by gifting to medical equipment loan closets.
As a community resource, loan closets permit residents to borrow durable medical equipment, promoting accessibility and support for those in need.
Loan closets are essential in ensuring that durable medical equipment reaches low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
Typically, your heating pad will be loaned out for free, while larger items like hospital beds may occasionally require a deposit.
From large-scale operations to smaller setups, loan closets are commonly community-based efforts led by passionate volunteers.
How to find loan closets in your neighborhood ?
I always begin by doing a few online searches –
- I enter the 4 following search terms into my internet browser – “medical equipment loan closet + your location”, “medical equipment lending closet + your location”, “medical equipment lending bank + your location”, or “medical equipment bank + your location”
- if your online search for loan closets proves fruitless, the next best step is to contact your county’s Area Agency on Aging. They may be aware of Durable Medical Equipment loan closets in your community. Utilize this locator tool to find your county agency – here
- if your Area Agency on Aging couldn’t provide the information you are searching for, try contacting your local human resources or seniors department. They might be able to direct you to some loan closets
- next if nothing is working so far, try to gather details about your local reuse or medical equipment refurbishing centers. Their information will be readily available online
- Lions Clubs, Rotary Clubs and American Legion Posts – operate many small community medical equipment loan closets. Find the clubs and posts that cater to your local area, and make further inquiries about loan closets with them
To find Lions Clubs in your area, take a quick look at my guide here – How To Find A Lions Club Near Me ? A Very Quick Illustrated Guide
To find Rotary Clubs in your area, take a quick look at my guide here – How To Find A Rotary Club Near Me ? A Very Quick Illustrated Guide
Bikur Cholim or Medical Equipment Gemacht – (Jewish medical equipment loan closets)
Run for, and by, members of the Jewish community, you can donate all types of durable medical equipment, including heating pads.
You can make inquiries at your local synagogue, Jewish community center, or search on the Chesed Match website.
National and International organizations which accept donations of heating pads
Goodwill
To donate your heating pad, locate a store near you and give them a call – https://www.goodwill.org/locator/
Salvation Army
To donate your heating pad, click on the following link – https://satruck.org/
EasterSeals
To locate your local affiliate to make your heating pads donation, use this link – https://www.easterseals.com/connect-locally/
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations
Their website page for donating heating pads is here – http://www.pqmd.org/pillars/donation-guidelines/
Project Cure
Their website page for donating your heating pads is here – https://projectcure.org/donate-supplies-equipment
REMEDY – Recovered Medical Equipment for the developing World
To donate your heating pad to REMEDY, use this web page here – https://www.med-eq.org/Login/form.aspx?type=donate&quick=1
Advocates for World Health
The page for donating your heating pad is here – https://awhealth.org/donate-medical-equipment/
Esperenca
To donate your heating pad, go here – https://www.esperanca.org/donate-supplies/
MedShare
Go to the MedShare website to donate your heating pad here – https://www.medshare.org/
HERO Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization
You can find about donating your heating pad on their website here – https://www.herofargo.org/wp-content/uploads/IndividualSupplies.pdf
MedWish
The page for donations is here on their website – https://www.medwish.org/give
Global Links
To donate your heating pad, go to this website page – https://www.globallinks.org/our-work/programs/medical-surplus-recovery-program/individual-and-community-surplus-recovery
National and International organizations which accept donations of heating pads
Goodwill
To donate your heating pad, locate a store near you and give them a call – https://www.goodwill.org/locator/
Salvation Army
To donate your heating pad, click on the following link – https://satruck.org/
EasterSeals
To locate your local affiliate to make your heating pads donation, use this link – https://www.easterseals.com/connect-locally/
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations
Their website page for donating heating pads is here – http://www.pqmd.org/pillars/donation-guidelines/
Project Cure
Their website page for donating your heating pads is here – https://projectcure.org/donate-supplies-equipment
REMEDY – Recovered Medical Equipment for the developing World
To donate your heating pad to REMEDY, use this web page here – https://www.med-eq.org/Login/form.aspx?type=donate&quick=1
Advocates for World Health
The page for donating your heating pad is here – https://awhealth.org/donate-medical-equipment/
Esperenca
To donate your heating pad, go here – https://www.esperanca.org/donate-supplies/
MedShare
Go to the MedShare website to donate your heating pad here – https://www.medshare.org/
HERO Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization
You can find about donating your heating pad on their website here – https://www.herofargo.org/wp-content/uploads/IndividualSupplies.pdf
MedWish
The page for donations is here on their website – https://www.medwish.org/give
Global Links
To donate your heating pad, go to this website page – https://www.globallinks.org/our-work/programs/medical-surplus-recovery-program/individual-and-community-surplus-recovery
National and International organizations which accept donations of heating pads
Goodwill
To donate your heating pad, locate a store near you and give them a call – https://www.goodwill.org/locator/
Salvation Army
To donate your heating pad, click on the following link – https://satruck.org/
EasterSeals
To locate your local affiliate to make your heating pads donation, use this link – https://www.easterseals.com/connect-locally/
The Partnership for Quality Medical Donations
Their website page for donating heating pads is here – http://www.pqmd.org/pillars/donation-guidelines/
Project Cure
Their website page for donating your heating pads is here – https://projectcure.org/donate-supplies-equipment
REMEDY – Recovered Medical Equipment for the developing World
To donate your heating pad to REMEDY, use this web page here – https://www.med-eq.org/Login/form.aspx?type=donate&quick=1
Advocates for World Health
The page for donating your heating pad is here – https://awhealth.org/donate-medical-equipment/
Esperenca
To donate your heating pad, go here – https://www.esperanca.org/donate-supplies/
MedShare
Go to the MedShare website to donate your heating pad here – https://www.medshare.org/
HERO Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization
You can find about donating your heating pad on their website here – https://www.herofargo.org/wp-content/uploads/IndividualSupplies.pdf
MedWish
The page for donations is here on their website – https://www.medwish.org/give
Global Links
To donate your heating pad, go to this website page – https://www.globallinks.org/our-work/programs/medical-surplus-recovery-program/individual-and-community-surplus-recovery
Global Mobility USA
You can donate your heating pad at this web address – http://www.globalmobilityusa.org/equipment-and-in-kind-donations
Medical Bridges
This is the donation page on their website – http://www.medicalbridges.org/donate/medical-supplies-and-equipment
Online listing sites and other social media platforms where you can donate heating pads near you
For my need, this stands as the most practical approach to donate an item online, as it enables me to donate as close to home as possible. You have total control over the areas of visibility of your donation advertisement/posting.
Before proceeding with online donations, it’s essential to take a few precautions into consideration –
- ensure your posting/advertisement explicitly states that your heating pad is being donated “as is,” and that you won’t assume any liability for any issues after the handover
- prioritize the safety, well-being and privacy of any elderly individuals in your home, and carefully consider the potential safety risks and confusion, that could arise from having strangers come in for the heating pad pick-up
- for added safety, I would hand over your heating pad in a public place
- if you’re posting online classified listings like Craigslist, avoid using your personal email address – create a throwaway email address
You can donate equipment to others for free on the following platforms –
- Craigslist.com
- UsedHME.com
- Nextdoor.com
- Facebook.com
- Freecycle.org
- OfferUp.com
If you’ve never donated an item on one of these sites, I have short illustrated guides on how to donate new, or used, devices on each one –
Craigslist.com – “How To Donate Used Medical Equipment Near Me On Craigslist ? An Illustrated Guide”
UsedHME.com – “How To Donate Used Medical Equipment Near Me On UsedHME ? An illustrated Guide”
Facebook.com – “How To Donate Used Medical Equipment Near Me On Facebook ? An Illustrated Guide”
Freecycle.org – “How To Donate Used Medical Equipment Near Me on Freecycle.org ? A Very Quick Illustrated Guide”
Nextdoor.com – “How To Get Free Medical Equipment Near Me On Nextdoor.com ? A Quick Illustrated Guide”
OfferUp.com – There is already a very good video showing how to use OfferUp, see below.
Donating heating pads in your neighborhood
If online methods aren’t your cup of tea, and you’d rather personally go door to door with your donation, there are plenty of good options to explore in your neighborhood –
- Local Hospitals
- Emergency rooms
- Thrift stores
- Senior Centers or Elderly Day Care Centers
- Veterans Centers
- Local Retirement Homes
- Churches
- Your local council Seniors’ department
Organizations near you who may know where to donate a heating pad
If you want more information on where to donate your heating pad, the organizations below may be able to advise you-
Area Agency On Aging
Your Area Agency on Aging is the leading authority on services for seniors, and loan closets are often among the key services that seniors rely on.
To find the Area Agency on Aging in your county, use this link to the locator tool – click here.
Social Services
Contact your Social Services department, as they are likely well-versed in charitable programs, and may be able to put you in touch with someone who can help you.
Faith-based Charities
The Catholic Charities and Society of St Vincent de Paul
With a nationwide presence, both the Catholic Charities and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul are heavily involved in programs and services benefiting low-income families, the homeless, refugees, and victims of abuse. Your local chapter may be able to help you connect with those who would truly benefit from your donation of a heating pad.
To find the chapter responsible for services in your area, of either one of the two organizations, do an online search for”name of the charity + where you live”.
Local Town Hall or Chamber of Commerce
A final recommendation, I suggest speaking with your town hall and chamber of commerce about nonprofit organizations and charities operating in their jurisdiction that specialize in refurbishing and redistributing durable medical equipment.
Why isn’t your heating pad donation being accepted ?
There are situations when your donation might not be accepted due to –
- the heating pad being too damaged or old
- the need for sanitization, which not all organizations can perform
- used heating pads no longer having warranties
- the item not aligning with specific state laws
Tax deductions on donations
Keep your receipt for any donations that you make to any charities, if you are hoping to get a tax deduction – the IRS will require the receipt for the item.
I’m Gareth, the author and owner of Looking After Mom and Dad.com
I have been a caregiver for over 10 yrs and share all my tips here.
