A time to give

'Tis the season for giving, still. With all the new gear, appliances and other gifts you received over the holidays, it probably replaced things you already had.

CMI staff photo: Christina Calloway

Jeffrey Vasquez with the Lighthouse Mission in Clovis hauls donations of clothes and other goods into the Lighthouse building Friday. Mission director Richard Gomez said they take donations of all kinds, encouraging people to give what they're not using so that others can benefit.

So if you don't have enough space to store things and you don't want to end up on an episode of "Hoarders," there are places in the area that accept donations for used stuff to help those in need.

The Lighthouse Mission provides in array of services in Clovis to help the less fortunate, including providing necessities such as food, clothing and shelter.

Lighthouse Mission Director Richard Gomez said they take donations of all kinds, encouraging people to give what they're not using so that others can benefit.

"This is a good time for people to see what they do have that they're not using anymore," Gomez said.

He emphasizes the importance of recycling clothes and goods. As children prepare to return to school, Gomez knows there are families in need of a warmer wardrobe.

"Things that are needed at this time of year are back-to-school clothing and things to keep warm like coats and blankets," Gomez said.

CMI staff photo: Alisa Boswell

Nicole Lujan, a cashier at Consigning Women in Portales checks a customer out Thursday afternoon. Manager Debbie Martinez said the store gets steady donations throughout the year and there are no major increases with donations after Christmas. She said their busier season is the end of spring when college students are preparing to go home for the summer.

Mike Lake, the Lighthouse Mission's men's homeless shelter coordinator, added that if people are willing to donate large items such as furniture, they are able to pick the items up.

"We're in the process of building a larger storage room in the spring," Lake said, adding that he has also benefited from donations. "I haven't bought clothes in three years."

In Portales, the women of Consigning Women Angel Ministries are also accepting donations this time of year.

"Sometimes it (donations) increases slightly at Christmas but it pretty much stays steady throughout the year," said Manager Debbie Martinez. "It increased a little this year because of word-of-mouth. People know we take donations now."

She said the end of spring is usually when donations increase more because college students are either graduating or going home for the summer, so they get rid of belongings.

"It's still kind of early on though (since Christmas)," Martinez said. "People pretty much come in all the time with donations."

They mostly receive clothing and toy donations but they also receive some household items, such as kitchen dishes and bedding and occasionally furniture.

The Salvation Army is also synonymous with giving and the one in Clovis is no exception.

Manager Sue Williamson said donations are always needed, but understands how the downturn of the economy has played into the generosity of others.

"Donations were good (after Christmas) before the economy took a nosedive," Williamson said. "I think more people are hanging on to things."

She added that they have a need for appliances and furniture and are also willing to pick up larger items as long as they're in good condition.