Donate Items Donating new, or gently used, items is another way to support homeless youth in our community.

By Appointment Only: Please contact the Development Manager before dropping off any donations at 612-252-1280 or donations@youthlinkmn.org. We have limited space for donations and strive to keep a clean, organized environment for the youth we serve. 


There are two primary ways to donate items:

  1. Shop our Amazon wish list or Target wish list for contactless delivery, shipped directly to YouthLink.
  2. Make an appointment to drop off donations at YouthLink during our donation hours: 41 N 12th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Top 10 Needed Items 

List updated March 2023. Due to the high volume of certain items and very limited storage space, WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING CLOTHING.

  1. Shampoo & Conditioner
    (Preferably travel size or smaller containers. Products for natural/textured/curly hair types are highly requested.) 
  2. Lotion (preferably travel size)
  3. Razors 
  4. Underwear (men’s and women’s, Small- 2XL)
  5. Bonnets & Durags
    (highly requested by youth to protect hair styles while sleeping)
  6. Newborn Diapers and Size 6 Diapers
  7. Pull-Ups 
  8. Baby Wipes
  9. Deodorant
  10. Socks (men’s and women’s sizes)
  • Home Goods:
    • Toilet paper
    • Paper towels
    • Laundry detergent (pods or small containers)
    • Cleaning supplies like dish soap, sponges, Clorox wipes, toilet cleaner, all-purpose cleaner
    • New full and queen-size bed sheets & comforters (or “bed in a bag” sets)
    • New bath towels, hand towels, and washcloths
      .
  • Baby supplies:
    • Newborn clothing
    • Diapers
    • Pull-Ups
    • Baby Wipes
    • Bibs
    • Nursing pads
    • Baby bottles
    • Diaper cream
    • Baby thermometers
    • Nasal Aspirators

We encourage you to support black-owned businesses – for some ideas please see this article which includes retail: https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/black-owned-businesses-in-the-twin-cities/


Gift/ Gas / Metro Transit Cards

Gift cards to major retailers are an easy way to provide immediate support for the youth we serve. Each individual has different needs. YouthLink may be out of stock of certain items or sizes, so we can provide items using gift cards. Visa gift cards and Target are the most popular. Grocery cards (e.g. Cub, Aldi) and Gas Cards (e.g. Holiday, Speedway) are also appreciated. Metro Transit Cards are also very needed!

Items We Do Not Accept

Items we are not able to accept at all:

  • Broken, torn or stained items of any kind.  Treating the youth we serve with dignity and respect means giving them the best.
  • Used bras, underwear, socks, towels or bedding.
  • Electronics of any kind
  • Used toys and stuffed animals
  • Books
  • Furniture (we partner with Bridging for move-ins)
  • Homemade food (due to health code regulations)

Dropping off donations

Please reach out to the Development Manager at 612-252-1280 or donations@youthlinkmn.org to schedule a drop-off appointment. Click here for driving and parking directions.

In 2013, youth who received GED tutoring services at YouthLink had a pass rate of 74% - higher than the national average.

Meet Leanna

“I think I’ve used just about everything here—the clothing closet, hygiene supplies, GED tutoring and vouchers, the health clinic, the Internet. It’s all in one place, and the people here know me. They really care about me.”

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