Do you know who where I can donate coats that are outgrown?

–Sandy

You're ten days too late for the NY Cares Coat Drive, which extended through January this year! Strangely, it's hard to find someplace that specifically wants children's coats. We were about to suggest Housing Works, but they no longer accept children's items! There are a few Goodwill thrift stores and Salvation Army Family Stores where you can drop them off.

What can I do with a ton of used-but-in-good-condition children's picture books? Neither the school nor the public library want them.

–Claudia

Save your Fresh Direct boxes, pack 'em up, stick them into the car and drive over to the Housing Works Used Book Cafe. They'll also take CDs, records, and DVDs. One bit of advice: take another adult in the car with you so you can pull up in front and run the books in while someone waits in the car.

I have a few bags of kids' clothes that are stained or torn. Too nasty too donate. But I hate adding to the landfill.

–Sophie

If you happen to live near Union Square, every Monday from 8-6 you can drop off any kind of textile (clothing, hats, bedding, shoes, coats, etc). If you're in Brooklyn, you can do the same at the Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket every Saturday from 8-4. They say the materials will be reused or recycled!