Live Baltimore

The Maryland Book Bank is a great nonprofit that focuses on providing book access to kids. It's…read moredefinitely come a LONG way from its early days in the cramped, hot space connected to the Baltimore Sun building. New space is much better. This location is much more open since it's like a warehouse with shared space for other nonprofits. The books are somewhat organized, but since they have lots of book donations, there are always bins and bins full of books that are constantly being sorted. My suggestion is to come when you have the time to sort through the book options and pick through what's useful. Some books are brand new, others with a little wear, and some are much older. It's a pretty mixed bag of books They're open about 4 days a week for specific timeframes. It's absolutely free to get a certain number of books, and kids can take as many as they can carry. You can also buy a membership, which is tax deductible, if you would like to take more than the allotted amount. They also have special events here and there for members. Overall, this is a great place to get books for classrooms, daycares, camps, etc.

The Maryland Book Bank is such an amazing resource, one that my daughter and I recently discovered!…read moreMy GPS had a difficult time figuring out how to get to the warehouse. Take the road that puts you as close as you can get to the interstate. It is a dim space among a huge warehouse that houses several other non-profits, so you might want to consider bringing donations when you come. The books are all free! There are only kids books, donated from the community, in pretty good used condition. Bring a bag or box. Each person is allowed 25 books, unless they purchase a yearly membership for $45. The hours are Wed 3-5 pm, and Sat 9-11 am. Amazing!!!

Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center

My son has been going here since he has started school and this place has honestly assisted with…read morethe growth of my child's not only behavior, but was expected of him. They have become a family and make sure my child is looked at as one of their they have several options for hard-working parents who need to drop their children off early as well as assisting parents with picking up and transporting to this facility safely honestly has been a help since I was introduced to the program and I am grateful for Lil flowers. Ms Jasmine, Miss Tracy

Best fried chicken, Mac n cheese, and cornbread that I've had in Maryland thus far. And it's black…read moreowned!

House of Ruth

I am blessed given that I haven't required the services of House of Ruth, but want to let everyone…read moreknow that I've heard only good things. They are tucked behind quite a few office buildings (I HATE thinking about why they need to be hidden) so before you come to drop off anything please call and get specific directions otherwise you WILL get lost. Their donation hours are M-F noon-5pm. They take brand new or really clean, well-cared for used clothes, shoes, bags, etc. for kids and women. They have a shortage of such items because they are always running full. Your donations are going to strong-willed women who needed to flee in a moment's notice, often without anything of their own. We are so very fortunate in our lives that if my last year's Nordy blazer I wore twice helps one of these ladies land a new job and some independence, awesome. Sure, I could have sold the stuff on eBay but I'm HAPPIER bringing them here.

Gather Baltimore

4.8

A great non profit organization! They pick up vegetables from grocery stores that are about to be…read morethrown out and give it back to the community. $9 for a huge bag of vegetables and sometimes fruit. The bags contain different vegetables every time. The vegetables should be use fairly quickly and may be bruised, but it is totally worth it. With proper storage and the use of a freezer, it is great to eat. They also ask for volunteers. Last time I went, they had cookbooks on the shelves for patrons to take home. Check out their Facebook page daily for updates and before you head out. Right now, the hours are Monday - Wednesday and Sunday 11-4pm. Pictured are some of the food I was able to make with the generous vegetables.

This place is pretty amazing. I tried checking in and adding pictures but I had some difficulties…read more Gather Baltimore is a non profit organization that gives away 40 pounds of fruits and veggies for a total of $8. I normally go on Sundays at 12PM. This place reminds me of Farmers Market but you are getting such a great deal! Everyone at Gather Baltimore are exceptionally nice and they are volunteers. Ever since I been going to Gather Baltimore I been eating healthier and I been juicing. I am excited to see my weight and health goals for 2018.

Second Chance

4.0

(150 reviews)

•$$

So this place was pretty cool, but really didn't have what I was looking for. If you have a lot of…read morespace for furniture, are doing a big home project, or are into furniture refurb, I would definitely recommend Second Chance. Unfortunately I don't fit into any of those categories. Also, it's annoying there are so many faux plants in there and none are for sale. What's the point?

I was condescended to, bullied and threatened here today by a sales person and it was so shocking I…read moredon't know what to say. This dude was so instantly nasty to me, dismissive, condescending, just awful. I literally don't even know what I did wrong but try and buy a stack of books and try to get a discount cos I was buying a whole stack! Never ever before met a rude person here in the twenty years I've been coming (since before ravens stadium was built and they were across the street). I've bought thousands of dollars worth of appliances here (2 $500 stoves, a $1000 fridge, two dishwashers, and two washers and dryers), not to mention hundreds upon hundreds worth of lumber, trim, windows, doors, miscellaneous hardware, etc. I bought 400 dollars worth of upholstery cloth one time alone. I come in, I don't mess around, I know what I need and I am a friendly nice customer. (Because they use your phone number when you buy, also? they should be able to SEE this). I was buying BOOKS. Books are not their main business (and to be honest their prices are so out of scale it's crazy compared to thrifts--10 dollars each for a used hard over cover book from the 80s? I think there was one vintage item or two--I collect golden book kids encyclopedias) In the past they've basically tried to GIVE me books I wanted to buy! I wasn't buying anything from the "special glass cases. I asked Josh what they could do for me on these 20 books that I promise no one wants. (I promise). I picked up so many cos I have always been given a little break on stuff here! It's literally the way I thought they do business!!!! Nope. Not a single red cent. Off ANY book EXCEPT one they wanted 20 dollars for that didn't cost 20 new! (No it was not old or vintage!) I had 100 bucks of books in my cart he couldn't do 80? He wouldn't even discuss it and when I was frankly totally taken aback by this since it's so counter to EVERY EXPERIENCE IVE HAD THERE FOR OVER 20 YEARS--he threatened to call security on me!? For trying to bargain?????? These were all crap books. I want them for myself and to show my husband AND I make art from them. I'd have paid literally 10 for every set of four of these books at thrift. They wanted 10 and 15 dollars EACH. It wasn't just he wouldn't deal at all on price. He treated me like a criminal for no reason at all. He had his hand on his walkie talkie and when I kind of laughed just thinking he was driving a bargain he said he was going to call security on me!!!! He did this because I had the temerity to say "come on, not any discount at all? I'm buying in bulk!" And I mentioned I've never had them not come down on price on anything ever! I am a short, friendly 53 year old mom. fyi. What the living heck is going on with this place? It was SUCH an unpleasant and weird experience. I feel horrible. I will take my business to loading dock.

SCRAP B-More

4.7

(31 reviews)

•$

Loved this place: the concept, the people running it and the level of organization. Small but…read moremighty. Definitely worth a stop in!

I've been to a similar shop like this back home in Los Angeles (Remainders in Pasadena for those…read moreinterested) and now that I live in Baltimore and remain a frequent crafter (sewist, knitter, and general hobbyist), I was delighted to find out this shop existed. I've been on the hunt for some cheap supplies, specifically a pinback button machine as this is around $50-60 new online and since I'm using funds from the school club I'm in to buy it; this felt excessive. Unfortunately they didn't have this machine and apparently only have ones in stock like this once in a while as they tend to go fast. Not deterred, I kept exploring the rest of the shop. Price wise, this place is THE best craft store you can and should stop into before going elsewhere to see if they have supplies you could use. You name it; they have it or have had it in the past. Supply varies as they depend on donations but with some supplies I bought costing just a quarter, I truly cannot be mad. They had yarn, paper supplies, knitting supplies, beadwork items, sewing supplies including patterns and zippers and sewing feet, stationary and scrapbook/journaling supplies. I absolutely recommend any crafters on a budget to come out here.

My Sisters Place Lodge

residents are welcoming. the place is warm and very clean. it is a great place to live if you can…read moreget in

If you are looking for ways to give back, let My Sisters Place be one of your 1st stops in…read moreBaltimore. They offer a ton of volunteering opportunities for individuals or groups. You have everything from serving others, logistics and break down. The staff here is warm and inviting.

The Roland Park Community Center

Roland Park Community Center (formerly known as The Corner Community Center)! has great amenities…read moreand programs. They also host an improv meetup on some Wednesdays. They have events on their schedule related to the arts, education, and recreation. They're open for outdoor and indoor gatherings, but masks are recommended indoors. And if you're interested in scheduling an event, the staff is happy to work with you.

Herring Run Nursery

4.9

(17 reviews)

•$$

Love to browse and see what is blooming. Also appreciate option to order ahead! The plants I…read morebrought from here 2 years ago are thriving and I've already been able to divide some and share the bounty. I am very grateful for these well priced native plants from a trusted source that has allowed me to experiment with a variety of options to see what works more rapidly than with seeds alone. Thank you to all involved.

Awesome place the manager is a great guy! helped me find everything i needed. Great selection of…read moreplants too.

Living Classrooms

Living Classrooms is a fantastic organization that does educational chartered boating trips and…read moreteaches people about the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding ecosystems. I got a chance to go out on the Lady Maryland for a college supplemental trip through UMUC but they normally charter trips for younger crowds. The crew aboard the ship was energetic and passionate about their subject matter. They have various stations that you perform while you're sailing which include water quality tests and learning how to identify the specimens that you catch while you're on the boat. The boats are cool pieces of history and it's a neat experience to be able to go out on the Baltimore harbor on a historic ship. If you ever get the opportunity to go out on a day trip with Living Classrooms, I highly recommend it. http://www.livingclassrooms.org/ (There isn't a website on this page yet)

Savers

3.5

(60 reviews)

•$

I love you Savers. This location has single-handedly furnished my apartment and has refreshed my…read moreentire wardrobe. The staff here are pretty chill, and are especially kind towards regulars. The crew in the furniture section are always quick to help me find what I'm looking for or keep an eye out for me. Compared to all of the goodwills, and even the nearby ReStore, this is gonna be your best bet price-wise. This is the first thrift store that I've been to that rotates its inventory based on the season. All of the furniture that I've purchased here has been for less than $20, and I'm talking about good hardwood furniture and even a 7ft silk sofa wrapped in the OG plastic protectant. For my fellow DIYers, you'll come across sewing machines often here, some built into tables with full kits for about $15 - $25. There is also a rack for scrap fabric, and abandoned knitting projects in the back. This location is in the prime spot, as it receives donations from all demographics. So whatever your style is, you're bound to find something you'll like here.

Everyone knows that every thrift store is hit or miss. I'm not talking about the likelihood of…read morefinding a banger. I'm frustrated in finding literal trash for sale. Why is there the the handlers for Christmas lights on sale for 3 dollars each? Bonkers. Also, the inconsistencies of pricing is frustrating. A no name brand beat up pair of sneakers is 14$, but a brand new pair of name brand vans is 10? I love how organized savers is. But some stuff is so frustrating at times.

Cousins Hauling & Clean-Out

(53 reviews)

Cousins Hauling were absolutely outstanding. Communication was fantastic. Their pricing was very…read morereasonable and that even included me adding a few extra items the day of hauling. They were very efficient and clean. Also we're both super nice guys. Highly recommended!!

Did a phenomenal job communicating. Showed on time and hauled everything I needed to get rid of!read more

2A Thrift

3.6

(19 reviews)

•$$

Visit 1 x month, have found many excellent fines, both for home and clothing for work. Very…read moreimpressed with the store and associates.

I've been in the store recently and have noticed employees shopping, telling other employees what…read morethey are shopping for, having items put aside for them. Some of the staff are rude, push by you before saying excuse me. Having conversations on the phone while on the floor. The main thing I noticed was around Christmas there was items coming out to be bought that was not on the floor but rather from the back. Back with the other owner I remember seeing employees hiding merchandise and getting them when they get off their shift, I thought with the new owners things would be different.

Charm City Haulers

4.9

(7 reviews)

Charm city haulers were exceptionally professional and helpful! Took all of my construction debris…read moreaway within minutes!

Awesome company Charm City haulers they are fast strong also they get things done in a timely…read morefashion

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My Sisters Place Lodge

residents are welcoming. the place is warm and very clean. it is a great place to live if you can…read moreget in

If you are looking for ways to give back, let My Sisters Place be one of your 1st stops in…read moreBaltimore. They offer a ton of volunteering opportunities for individuals or groups. You have everything from serving others, logistics and break down. The staff here is warm and inviting.

St Francis Neighborhood Center

St. Francis is a non-profit providing a bunch of awesome services in Baltimore City. For more…read moreinformation about them, I suggest checking out their website. That said, recently I attended the Res Fest which was held in a park next to St. Francis. I was able to tour the community center and was very impressed with...well, everything! There was a recent addition to the main facility and whoever architected it was a genius. St. Francis is bright and spacious with tons of activity centers and lots of interesting sights, sounds, and games for kids. Highly impressed with the center and all it offers. Highly recommend.

A truly special place in the heart of Baltimore!…read more I've been volunteering at St. Francis Neighborhood Center for a while now, and it's hard to put into words just how much this place means to me, and to the community it serves. The staff and volunteers are passionate, dedicated, and genuinely care about creating opportunities for the kids and families who come through the doors. Working with the kids here has been such a joy. You can see their confidence and creativity grow every day, whether it's through after-school programs, summer camps, or mentorship activities. It's amazing to watch them discover their strengths and build lasting friendships. The center itself has also seen incredible transformations in the last couple of years. The building has been beautifully renovated and expanded, with new spaces that make learning, playing, and connecting even more inspiring. Every improvement has been made with the community in mind, and you can feel that when you walk in. If you're looking for a way to give back, get involved, or just see real change happening in Baltimore, St. Francis Neighborhood Center is a perfect place to start. I'm so proud to be part of it!

CASA - Baltimore

We have used workers from CASA Baltimore over the years and once we do the initial hire, are able…read moreto coordinate with the worker(s) to return at mutually convenient times. Most have been skilled workers and a few not, but eager to learn. We've never been disappointed.

We have used several workers from the group. They have all been excellent. It has caused us to…read moreuse the same people over and over and call on them again as we needed new skilled workers. They are respectful and knowledgeable, not to mention reasonable.

The Maryland Book Bank

The Maryland Book Bank is a great nonprofit that focuses on providing book access to kids. It's…read moredefinitely come a LONG way from its early days in the cramped, hot space connected to the Baltimore Sun building. New space is much better. This location is much more open since it's like a warehouse with shared space for other nonprofits. The books are somewhat organized, but since they have lots of book donations, there are always bins and bins full of books that are constantly being sorted. My suggestion is to come when you have the time to sort through the book options and pick through what's useful. Some books are brand new, others with a little wear, and some are much older. It's a pretty mixed bag of books They're open about 4 days a week for specific timeframes. It's absolutely free to get a certain number of books, and kids can take as many as they can carry. You can also buy a membership, which is tax deductible, if you would like to take more than the allotted amount. They also have special events here and there for members. Overall, this is a great place to get books for classrooms, daycares, camps, etc.

The Maryland Book Bank is such an amazing resource, one that my daughter and I recently discovered!…read moreMy GPS had a difficult time figuring out how to get to the warehouse. Take the road that puts you as close as you can get to the interstate. It is a dim space among a huge warehouse that houses several other non-profits, so you might want to consider bringing donations when you come. The books are all free! There are only kids books, donated from the community, in pretty good used condition. Bring a bag or box. Each person is allowed 25 books, unless they purchase a yearly membership for $45. The hours are Wed 3-5 pm, and Sat 9-11 am. Amazing!!!

Park Heights Community Health Alliance

This is a fantastic community organization that provides so many resources. I went to a mindfulness…read moretraining there that was led by the executive director, Teniyah and it was so amazing! Not only did I get to meet other community members, I also got to become aware of all of the resources that the organization offers.

Cool Kids Campaign

My daughter is part of the Cool Kids Campaign program as she was diagnosed with leukemia when she…read morewas 22 months old. This organization offers a wide range of programs for children of all ages. Most importantly they have programs for kids beyond treatment. For example, they offer support programs ranging from tutoring, art therapy, nutrition, oncology parent support groups. Cool Kids offer so many opportunities to engage with their members but also for members to interacted with each other. Majority of the kids in the program are immunocompromised so they must limit the number of interactions they can have so they don't fall ill. Cool Kids offers virtual event as well as in person ones. I really love this organization! Here's a snip Cool Kids Campaign's about us page: Cool Kids Campaign programs focus on direct services for children and their families affected by a cancer diagnosis and the development of additional programs that will have a positive outcome on their lives, we recognize the need for continued growth. Our future goals include the opening of additional clubhouses, vacation and respites housing, an expanded tutoring program along with working to provide guidance and connection to other programs and organizations that support children with cancer.

Literally, the best organization I have EVER had the honor of serving! They cater and serve…read morechildren who have been diagnosed with cancer. They have parties, outings, support services, FUNdraisers and everything else to encourage the children and families.

Heartwares by Art with a Heart

I've had the chance to volunteer at Heartwares by Art with a Heart, and it's such an inspiring and…read moreuplifting place. The shop is filled with beautiful, handcrafted pieces made through community art programs and each item tells a story. A lot of the art is made by kids throughout Baltimore City. The staff and volunteers are incredibly kind and passionate about their mission to support local artists and create opportunities through art. It's a wonderful space that combines creativity, purpose, and heart. Whether you're volunteering or shopping, you'll leave feeling inspired. Most pictures I have are with kids, but volunteering and giving back to the Baltimore City community has been extremely rewarding.

What a great place to find a creative gift - and such a bonus that the proceeds support such a…read moregreat cause!

Delta Community Center

4.5

(6 reviews)

I sooooo love the Delta Center I would book there for any event. It's been awhile since I booked…read morewith them but I definitely recommend this place

Strong anchor for the community of Park Heights and beyond. Caring organization serves as both role…read moremodels and hosts for both family and community-level events. Parking is a bit tricky in the latter case, but can be managed. Looking forward to returning.

Casey Cares Foundation