Awesome Organization!!! They Take Donations Of Certain Medical Equipment And Supplies!! They Then Redistribute The Medical Equipment And Supplies To People That really Need Them!! It's First Come First Served!!! I have 2 Friends That Use Their Services Exclusively!!!! One is Nicknamed Ed Flintstone he is on Social Security and Uses Adult Diapers which he gets every week from the ReCares Network!!! He has Even gotten a Berry Atric Walker and a Wheelchair for Future Usage My Other Friend Is Called Randy Big Sexy!!! He Is A Diabetic and Weighs 500 Pounds and Is 6Ft 4 Inches !!! Unfortunately he suffers from Low Esteem and Has a Chip on his Shoulder and Feels Like The World Owes Him Everything!!! Thank God for ReCares he Gets His Diabetes Supplies , Dressings , Adult Diapers, Walker and Canes from there !!! People and Organizations like this are Heaven Sent!!! This Charity Is A Baller On A Budget Approved!!! I keep my Pimp Hand Strong!!!! Number # 34 On The Yelp Top # 50 List Of Most Prolific Yelp Elites of 2025!!! read more

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As a mover, I love having a place where I can drop off durable medical equipment and expendables easily, and know that they are going to go to the people who really need them. This is the kind of operation that makes our community better. read more

Truly an incredible organization dedicated to tackling wastage in the medical supply industry. They're very stringent about what they do and do not accept, so if you're donating make sure to read the rules beforehand or call their number. I found street parking and walked into the underground parking lot, but they do occasionally have a few spots for parking in the lot itself if you're lucky. Within the first 5 minutes of opening, there was already a line of about 10 people waiting to be helped at the table. Diapers, walkers, and wheelchairs seem to be the most popular items, so if you're looking for these make sure to come early because it's first come first serve. Process is simple: you request what you'd like, they give you a receipt detailing quantity of items, your info, and how many you're picking up for, and you say thanks and leave. I was there to pick up some emergency medical equipment and Linda was an absolute gem. As a practicing nurse, she was able to cut right to the chase and brought over loads of supplies that I was more than eager to accept. I'd love to come back or even contribute personally. read more

They are absolutely wonderful. They recycle medical equipment and provide opportunities for people who can't afford to buy the equipment new. One of the best charities in East Bay and because they don't charge anything the price is right. read more

excellent for getting health supplies, but sometimes volunteer shortages cause closure

Honestly! We are so very fortunate to have ReCares in our community. Their mission to "paying it forward" with the recycling of medical equipment is a gift. The volunteers are so knowledgeable and very kind. I consider their presence a jewel in our neighborhood! read more

Amazing nonprofit specializing in medical equipment. You can drop off unused items, such as crutches, wheelchairs and more. I had surgery on my right foot and was in need of a handless crutch. I called ahead and left a message on their machine. Within minutes I received a call back from a kind employee. He informed me that they had two in stock and to stop by before 4pm. My partner went to pick up the item and said there was a ton of parking and staff was very helpful. They gave him the crutch that day and I was able to use it in physical therapy the next day. I am very grateful for places, such as this, that let individuals like myself use equipment while they are healing. Thank you to the team for being so accommodating and inviting. read more

The ReCARES Network - Handless crutch I received - Community Service/Non-Profit Near Me - Oakland, California

This place is so helpful for those in need! They take donations after inspecting it They have a ton of things to give to those in need. Easy process My heart and thank you'd go out to the volunteers who work here weekly even with some of the demanding people who want items in abundance. read more

What a wonderful group this is! It's so great to put medical equipment to good use so that others can benefit from it. I have used these folks many times to drop things off that otherwise would just go to waste. Thank you ReCares!!! read more

Not easy to contact (all volunteer group) but they provide a genuine service taking in selected medical supplies and making them available to community folks in need read more

I had a high quality manual wheelchair to donate after my mother died. It was recently serviced, two years old and cost over $5000. It was a lot of trouble getting it in my car and bringing it to ReCares in San Rafael. When I arrived they told me they accept wheelchairs, but this snooty ill tempered guy told me not to even bother removing it from my car because he thought it was "dirty". On Friday, I brought it to the Oakland location. I had checked the hours of operation, but overlooked the "latest news" portion of their site that indicated it would be closed Dec 27. So, that's two wasted long trips I made to their facilities and one very deserving individual who does not get my wheelchair along with a bunch of canes, walkers and a new commode that also could have been distributed to the needy. I ended up giving everything to Goodwill which is much closer to my home anyway. My advice is don't waste your time donating to this outfit because they are hardly ever open and their incredibly high standards mean they probably wont accept your donation anyway. read more

So glad to be able to get the walker I needed post-surgery, and then give it back after I was done!

The volunteer helping me today was so kind. I drove into the underground lot and into the line marked 'donations.' The volunteer helped me unload the unused rolling walker w seat from my car - she also let me know that rolling walkers are in high demand and that it would likely be claimed within 10 minutes of being donated. I'm pleased that it could be put to good use! And the whole process took less than 10 minutes. read more

I came by to drop off a few items; wheelchair, walker and shower chair. They are located behind the Church on 27th street in the parking lot. One section is for pick up and the other is for donations. Staffs were friendly & quick to response. I was able to donate my minimal use items in a quickness with no problems at all. Great foundation. read more

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I have had a tab open for ReCares for months, intending to take some leftover medical equipment to donate, a wheelchair and several bedside commodes. I can't tell you why Alan bought so many bedside commodes, but he did and most of them seem to have spent their lives out on his balcony, Today was the rare Friday that I had no plans and I determined that today would be the day I would drive over. I had donated other medical equipment, like crutches and a walker or two, several years ago, following my hip surgery. They had a different name then but I forget what. I loaded the commodes into my car, but couldn't even lift the wheelchair, so I called on my strong young neighbor, who came over to help. I couldn't close the cargo hatch door because the leg of one of the commodes was blocking it. So the damn car made an alarm the entire trip unless I was stopped at a light. I easily found the place, drove in, got in line and waited to be helped. Aaron helped me and was very kind. He told me they could take the wheelchair, but not the commodes because they had a surfeit. I asked if it would be possible to move the two from the cargo area and once he removed the wheelchair he did that, so I didn't have to listen to the alarm all the way home. He also gave me the name of a place in Berkeley called VIDA that might possibly take the commodes, so that's a good lead which I'm following up. read more

I drove quite a distance to donate things. They wouldn't take an item that they said they would take. Felt like I wasted my time.

ReCares is easy to get to, lots of parking and very nice people. Just wish they could take all of my used medical equipment. Thank you - Oakland ReCares Team read more

These people are great. I was able to easily donate excess supplies and equipment and get something I needed. They were very kind.

I was in a pinch after having a total hip replacement. I needed some items to help me transition back to full recovery during rehabilitation. They had a great supply of most everything! I got a commode, shower chair and a reacher. All the items were clean and in excellent condition. The people representing the agency were great to work with. I highly recommend this place to anyone in need of long or short term rehab medical equipment. Don't forget to pay it forward! read more

The parking can be kind of hard and the lines can move a little slow but the people who work here are super sweet, generous with their time and make sure to try to help you get the right equipment for your needs. I am thankful. I got some almost new really good medical equipment for my mom for free. I feel lucky. Thank you ReCares. read more

That ReCares has to exist at all -and that it flourishes- is a disgrace to America. A disgrace because of what it reveals about our wasteful habits (after only a few weeks of use, perfectly good medical equipment is never accepted for re-use from wherever it was issues - wheelchairs, crutches, etc. are expected to be simply thrown away) and a disgrace because of what it reveals about our conscious witholding of needed medical equipment from those who need it but have not been economically successful enough to be able to afford to buy such things. Having said that, ReCares rocks! Over the years, I've returned 3 pairs of crutches, two walkers, and borrowed 2 pairs of crutches from a friendly, helpful bunch of people in a basement parking lot behind an Oakland church (why this is the only place that welcomes them is another disgrace). read more

I mean, what do you do with all this stuff? You leave the hospital or clinic with a little bit of everything (because do you get the feeling they don't want you back?) so you have extra medical supplies, emison basins and pads, crutches, splints and who-haws and gee-gaws that end up collecting dust and getting old in the home. Well, before the stuff expires, consider taking lightly used medical supplies to ReCares! There are three locations in San Francisco, Marin & Oakland. They are open limited hours but at least once a week, you can drop off (donations are tax deductible) and pick up all at the same time! I have personally been to both the Marin & Oakland locations and I can personally attest that there is a need for medical supplies that just sit in peoples' houses gathering dust. Instead of throwing these items out on the expiration date, why not give them to someone in need? It is a good feeling to be able to help these people who otherwise may not be able to purchase these items because if the expensive cost. The Marin location is not easy to find first time out, so I would recommend calling before going to make sure you can get there first time out. Both the Oakland & Marin locations have at least one day where people looking for items go at the same time as people who are dropping off, so you will literally be finding people looking in your trunk for medical items they need (it's a little disconcerting). I recommend writing down your items and estimating their value BEFORE you go so you can just fill out the donation receipt and be on your way so the people that need medical supplies can get their goods. ReCares is a great service to people in the community. I am really glad they are here to provide a valuable service to those in need. Thank you ReCares! read more

I'm trying to find anyone who needs a hospital bed. It's in Hayward, ca.94541. Free , but must pick up yourself. Contact d.avanzino@yahoo.com read more

Volunteer workers were very helpful and friendly. It was a hit or miss kinda things. They have a lot of variety of used DME (durable medical equipments) to choose from. My mom recently had a stroke and needed a lot of stuff to help her stay safe and get better. Thank you Recares for your services! P.S. you can also donate usable DME here. read more

I dropped off a few things here today. There were people waiting to help accept things and offer a receipt; it was very quick (Saturdays are dropoff-only days, so I think that helped). The directions here on yelp and on mapquest aren't very good. Recares is on the lower floor of the building behind the church on 27th Street, not on Broadway (the building might have been a parking structure; I saw the sign at the last minute after going around the block). Instead of going down Broadway as the directions say, stay on 27th and make either a right or a left, depending on which way you're coming from, right behind the church where you see the Recares sign and the down-sloping driveway. Thanks to the Recares folks for doing this great work. read more

This place used to be a wonderful asset to our community. Unfortunately it is under new management and it's no longer a good service.

I was at ReCARES, Oakland, today, to donate medical equipment and surprisingly found some special tape, still in the package, and a large, brand new, vitamin dispenser for my husband. What a marvelous idea: recycle gently-owned, clean medical equipment so it can be used by others within the community. The idea gets 5+ stars, but the running of things gets 3 stars only--all of which averages out to be 4 stars. Here are some suggestions that may prove useful; 1. Please put up signs so people know where to line up to donate and where to request/receive items. This eliminates the confusion I witnessed happening today. 2. Charge $$$! How about $10-15 for a wheel chair, $2 for a tub chair, and so on? Maybe tape, etc. miscel. items can be free. Otherwise, with the idea "yeah! it's all free" people are inclined to take more than they need, but worst of all, I wonder if this encourages greediness, bad manners, etc. "It's free & I got it 1st!" ?? Today, a woman last in line for requesting items, suddenly spied an expensive car that had just arrived. She caught a glimpse of some of the things the people in that car were unpacking--intending to bring to the donation area. The woman rushed over. Immediately she'd claimed some very nice items, including a wheelchair---before the donor had finished unpacking. Quickly this ill-manner woman stuffed the grabbed things into her car and away she went. Sadly, there was a woman who arrived before ReCARES opened & had been patiently waiting, hoping that a wheel chair in her size might be donated. That kidnapped wheel chair, nice and large, probably would've fit this woman. If big ticket items must be paid for, then perhaps this would slow down someone like the aggressive woman today. 4. Put on the ReCARES web site that if you are donating items, then don't personally give away directly to anyone once on the premises. Also put on website that a person seeking an item can't help themselves to donations; they must wait for items to be checked in by a ReCARES volunteer and then wait their turn in line 'til someone can assist them. 3. Today's boss--Susan--probably she's there every Thursday since no one knows what's going on but her. This woman needs an assistant who has the authority to make decisions about donated items & is familiar with the inventory etc. When I drove up, barely 30 minutes into the 4 hour time period for ReCARES (Oakland) Susan was visibly stressed. She accepts donated items (physically lifting items & carrying them to storage area); she fulfills requests, tries to corral people into correct lines, constantly answers questions and is THE person directing everyone/everything. This is too much work for her. May ReCARES thrive. It is truly a wonderful community service. read more

Great idea for the community. I went there to see if they had something I needed for a friend. However standing in line I realized they were more people in need than me so I left. A lot of the medical equipment that people need are expensive expecially if they are on fixed incomes such as wheelchairs canes commodes bed rail wheelchair start and usually 300 on up I can't even imagine not having the money to buy one they do good work. They are located behind the church in the parking garage lower level to the left I thought it was a full story but evidently it's a special closet that the church has downstairs and it's run by the volunteers donations are always accepted monetary or equipment wise read more

This is a wonderful service to the community. So many seniors and people with disabilites are on fixed incomes. ReCares gives away lighty used durable equipment and new disposable items such as gloves and paper products that have been donated. Was able to acquire a like-new walker for a friend with a broken leg who has no insurance and a giant medical bill inhibiting her recovery. Was also given a quick demo of the proper use of the item. If I had free time, I would volunteer here. And if you've ever wondered what to do with supplies you or your loved one no longer needs, then DONATE TO RECARES! read more

ReCARES formerly HomeCARES is a great place to donate medical equipment and unused health care supplies. I had a serious accident a few years ago and wanted to do something useful with my walker and specialty medical supplies. They give it out to those in need. There is also a San Francisco and Marin donation center. Find the address at www.homecares.org. read more