Make a Difference in 5 Simple Steps: Donating preloved kids' items to Big Group Hug
At Big Group Hug, we see every day how much of a difference thoughtful donations make for children and families doing it tough. With 1 in 6 Australian children living in poverty, there’s a good chance that a child in your kids’ classroom, your neighbourhood, or your community is struggling. Every second-hand kids item donated can help a child in your neighbourhood feel proud, confident, and included, but only if it’s in good condition and packed thoughtfully.
To help you get it right, here are our top 5 tips for donating preloved kids’ items, and why they matter.
1. Check the Condition
Not all preloved items can be used. Good condition means no tears, stains, holes, pilling, broken zips, or warped shapes. It’s not about perfection, it’s about giving a child a gift they can feel proud to wear or use.
For the safety of our littlest and most vulnerable babies and infants, items like prams, cots, car seats, and other baby equipment must meet strict safety guidelines. Please check our guidelines before donating here..
Items that cannot be redistributed need to be responsibly disposed of. Disposal fees, transport, and waste management costs come directly out of funds that could otherwise support children. Not to mention our amazing volunteers will become overwhelmed and we want them to enjoy their time and keep coming back.
Being thoughtful and intentional about what you donate helps us direct every dollar and every volunteer hour toward supporting families, not managing waste.
2. Label Clearly
This is a simple step makes a big difference. Mark each bag with:
Gender: boy, girl, or unisex
Size: helps volunteers match items quickly
This helps us pack items efficiently, so children receive clothing and essentials that fit and allow them to feel included among their peers.
3. Pack Thoughtfully
We don’t mind what kind or bag/box/tub your donations come in, but if you can, please pack clothing, shoes, toys/books and miscellaneous separately so we can take the donation to the correct sorting area. This makes it faster for volunteers to prepare aid packs, and ensures families receive a mix of items that are ready to use.
4. Include Items in Demand
We’re always grateful for essentials that help families immediately. These items allow children to feel safe, cared for, and supported, and give families room in their budgets for other essentials like rent and groceries.
We update our most-needed items on our website, enews, and on social media weekly, so keep an eye out for updates.
5. Support Sustainability
Every year, tonnes of usable clothing and children’s goods end up in landfill. Recycling preloved items also reduces waste, giving children’s clothing, equipment, and toys a second life. Each item that’s reused instead of thrown out helps protect the environment and demonstrates the value of thoughtful, considered giving.
Why Your Thoughtful Donations Matter
At Big Group Hug, every item is packed into what we call a “Box of Love”, a carefully curated aid pack tailored for a child’s age and needs. These boxes are more than just essentials: they bring comfort, joy, and dignity to children and families during challenging times.
We’ve found that children receiving items in good condition often show pride in their belongings. It can make a huge difference to their confidence, social inclusion, and sense of belonging. For families, it reduces stress and financial pressure, giving them a moment of relief amid hardship.
How to Get Started Donating Preloved Kids' Items to Big Group Hug
- Sort items by type and size.
- Separate clothing, toys, books, and baby items.
- Check condition: remove items that are stained, ripped, or unsafe.
- Bag and label: any bag is fine; mark gender, size, and contents if possible.
- Drop off at your nearest Big Group Hug hub:
Thomastown – 12/337 Settlement Rd, Mon–Thu 9am–2pm, 1st Sat 10am–12pm
Airport West – 4/29 Hawker St, Mon & Wed 9:30am–12:30pm, 1st Sat 10am–12pm
Tarneit – 2–28 Goddard St, Tue–Thu 9:30am–12:30pm, 1st Sat 10am–12pm
We’re also grateful for donations of new toiletries, infant formula, hygiene and sanitary items, and quilts/doonas, these are in high demand and must be new. If you can pop an extra item or two in your grocery shop to include with your preloved item donation, we would be so appreciative.
A Community Effort
Every donation, small or large, contributes to a stronger, kinder community. If you’re decluttering or simply passing on items your children have outgrown, your thoughtful donation makes a real difference.
Please share this guide with friends, family, schools, and community groups. Even a small action — a bag of preloved clothes or a box of toys — can brighten a child’s day and help families regain stability.
Thank you to our volunteers, supporters, and community — together we make sure every donation counts, every child feels cared for, and every family receives the help they need.
