It's multiplying

I don't know about you, but in my house, as a project goes on, the stuff seems to pile up. You know what I'm talking about: that kitchen gadget you never use; the side table that isn't quite right; the stemware from Aunt Gertrude.

It's time to get rid of the junk!

Most of the time, I try to give it to a family or friend who could put it to good use. I just gave three nonstick pans to my sister, who is still developing her kitchen.

But before that, I took a bag of odds and ends to my neighborhood thrift store, which benefits AIDS research. And before that, I collected an absurd amount of clothing and donated it to a local hospital. In this house very little makes it to the trash can. Almost everything can be put to good use in a new home. If you need ideas, here are some organizations that take your trash and turn it into--for lack of a better phrase--treasures.

• Goodwill It keeps people employed! Gotta love that!
• Salvation Army They provide for tough times
• ReStore They take preloved home items and sell them to benefit Habitat for Humanity
• Philly AIDS Thrift My personal favorite, but local to Philly
• Soles 4 Souls Great way to give shoes a second life