Current Donation Needs
Thank you for your interest in supporting your neighbors by donating some much-needed items! With the generosity of community members like you, Cornerstones has provided vital programs and services to individuals and families across Northern Virginia for more than 55 years. Last year alone, we delivered over 26,000 essential services, and we couldn’t do it without your support.
After donating your items, please complete your gift receipt to help us meet audit requirements, understand program costs, recognize your generosity, and unlock additional funding.
Contact the Development Team at development@cornerstonesva.org if you have any questions about donating items.
Ways to Donate Much-Needed Items
1) Shop Our Amazon Wish Lists
We gratefully accept donations of items through our Amazon Wish Lists, each aligned with a core service area. Please be sure to include a gift note with your name, address, and email so we can properly acknowledge your generosity.
2) Donate Meals, Snacks, and Kits to the Embry Rucker Community Shelter
Support our shelter residents year-round by helping us provide nutritious meals and essential items. We gratefully accept donations of:
- Catered breakfast, lunch, or dinner – provide breakfast, lunch or dinner for clients at the ERCS
- Bagged lunches – ready-to-eat meals for individuals on the go
- Snack packs – individually packaged, non-perishable snacks
- Hygiene kits – travel-size toiletries and personal care items
- Seasonal kits – weather-appropriate supplies (e.g., gloves, sunscreen)
- Welcome home kits – household essentials for residents transitioning into permanent housing
Click here to learn more.
3) Support Our Seasonal Drives
Cornerstones hosts three seasonal drives throughout the year to meet critical needs in our community. Your donations make these efforts possible.
- Back-to-School Drive (June – August)
A new backpack, new school supplies, and a regular supply of hearty healthy snacks can help boost a child’s confidence and set the tone for a successful school year – all year. - Thanksgiving Food Drive (October – November)
Make the holiday special for families in our community and help fill our shelves with non-perishable food to support food security for families year-round. - Gift Cards for Kids Drive (November – December)
Wrap up a little joy—donate a $25 Walmart, Target, or Visa gift card and give families the power to choose what they need most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there items Cornerstones does NOT accept?
Yes, unfortunately, there are certain items we are unable to accept. While we deeply appreciate the generosity of our community, we must be mindful of limited storage space, health and safety regulations, and the dignity of those we serve. To ensure we can responsibly distribute donated goods and meet the needs of our clients, we do not accept:
- Used mattresses or furniture
- Used clothing
- Large appliances
- Small used appliances
- Used household items
- Opened or expired food/products
- Damaged items or items needing repair
- Medical equipment or prescription products
- Toys and games
Contact development@cornerstonesva.org if you’re unsure whether your donation can be accepted.
If you cannot accept my donation, can you recommend another organization?
Yes, the following organizations may accept items we cannot:
Please contact these organizations directly before drop-off to ensure they can accept your donation.
Why do you ask donors to complete a gift receipt?
Tracking donations helps us:
- Comply with IRS and audit requirements
- Understand the full impact and cost of our programs
- Properly recognize and thank you for your contributions
- Demonstrate the true value of community support—reporting the full value of your donation helps us unlock additional funding and resources from foundations, government, and other partners
If you have any questions or would like assistance, please contact us at development@cornerstonesva.org. Thank you for making a difference!
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