Donate Items

Donating new, or gently used, items is one way you can support homeless youth in our community.

Current Donations Accepted

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. 

Shop Our Amazon Wish List SHOP OUR TARGET WISHLIST

Click on the + symbol to view a complete list under each category. Last updated March 2026.

  • New Adult Underwear (men’s or women’s, S-XL most needed)
  • New Children’s Underwear (toddler/little kid sizes– 2T/3T/4T and 4,5,6)
  • New Socks (adult sizes)
  • T-Shirts (gently used or new)
  • Jeans (gently used or new)
  • Sweatpants & Sweatshirts (gently used or new)
  • Men’s & Women’s Business Clothing (Sizes Small, Medium, Large)
  • Belts (men’s & women’s)
  • Sneakers/ athletic shoes
  • Deodorant
  • Shampoo and conditioner
  • Body wash or soap
  • Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss
  • Period products
  • Razors and shaving cream
  • Chapstick
  • Lotion
  • Shower caps
  • Bonnets & Durags (to protect hair during sleep)
  • Hair products for textured and curly hair- Hydrating shampoos & conditioner, leave-in conditioner, curl cream, scalp care, styling gel/pomade, edge control/smoother and silk or satin bonnets – please visit this website for examples of products youth visiting YouthLink prefer.
  • Cosmetics (makeup, nail polish, etc.)
  • 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
  • Shower curtains/liners with hooks

Our street outreach team which includes Peer Outreach Workers with lived experience builds trust with young people in schools, encampments, and on the street and helps connect them to permanent, safe housing options. However, we recognize that systemic barriers like lack of shelter beds, long waitlists for housing programs, and other challenges can mean that the impact of this work is not always immediate. You can help ensure that unhoused youth are safe, warm, and comfortable on their paths to stable housing.

  • Sleeping bags (gently used are okay, but must have a cloth bag or be able to tie up into a compact and portable package)
  • Tents (gently used are okay, 1-4 person tents only, must include a bag and instructions for assembly)
  • Rain ponchos
  • Tarps 
  • Camping 1-person hammocks
  • Emergen-C
  • Hydration Multipliers (e.g. Liquid IV, Nuun)
  • Wound Care Kits
  • Flashlights or camping lanterns (with batteries included) 
  • Hot Hands foot and hand warmers
  • Warm socks
  • Nonperishable items like – granola bars, fruit snacks, water bottles
  • Toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, etc. (see full Toiletries List above)

Since YouthLink serves parents ages 16-24, most of the children we serve are under the age of 6.

  • Diapers
  • Pull-Ups
  • New Children’s Underwear (toddler/little kid sizes– 2T/3T/4T and 4,5,6)
  • Baby Wipes
  • Bibs
  • Nursing pads
  • Baby bottles
  • Diaper cream
  • Baby thermometers
  • Nasal Aspirators
  • Gift cards are an easy way to provide immediate support for the youth we serve. Each individual has different needs. YouthLink may be out of certain items or sizes, so gift cards provide much-needed flexibility.
  • General gift cards (Visa, Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.)
  • Grocery cards (Cub, Aldi, etc.)
  • Gas cards (Holiday, Speedway, etc.)
  • Metro Transit cards
  • Uber & Lyft cards

Items We Never Accept

Items we are not able to accept at all include:

  • 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.
  • Dishes
  • Home Decor
  • Seasonal Decor
  • 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)