If you have extra unused supplies like masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, or cleaning wipes, now is a good time to donate them to your local hospital, public health department, or a healthcare worker you know.

Time is running out for people who require protective medical gear the most.

According to reports, almost 9 million children under the age of 5 die each year due to lack of access to simple medical supplies.

And that’s just children under 5! People around the world are dying because they don’t have access to the billions of dollars of usable medical supplies that go to landfills in the United States each year.

Donating supplies, often called donating in-kind, can be done on a small or large scale.

Individuals who have surplus medical supplies or equipment that they don’t need can donate them for a good cause.

Most times, individual donations come from family members of deceased loved ones.

They might have a stock of supplies that remain unused, or medical devices that are no longer being used.

Your donation could mean the difference between life and death for those who suffer because of limited access to supplies and medicine.

Aside from the obvious humanitarian benefits of donation, recent reports note that usable medical supplies totaling around $765 billion contributed to annual waste. That is more than the annual budget of the Defense Department!

It is also noted that the value of those wasted supplies could cover the full medical insurance premium for about 150 million United States workers.

Aside from the fact that donation is good for the environment (because it reduces the amount of usable waste), it could incentivize lower healthcare costs for individuals and businesses.

If you decide that you want to donate medical supplies, you have several options to consider.

You can donate to a local organization that is willing to take unused supplies.

Many hospitals and home healthcare companies take supplies to give to patients who are unable to afford them on their own.

Best Places to Donate Unused Medical Supplies

1. Global Links

Global Links is a medical aid organization that accepts donations from medical suppliers, healthcare workers, and individuals from the community.

They accept unused medical supplies, surgical instruments, hospital equipment, walking and injury aids in good condition, and biomedical equipment. To donate, email lwest@globallinks.org.

2. MedShare

This is a non-profit organization that collects and redistributes unused medical equipment to communities in need.

They collect unused medical equipment and supplies, as well as used biomedical equipment.

To donate, you are expected to fill out the appropriate form on their website which will ask for your contact information as well as a description of the donation.

3. MedWish International

MedWish receives health-related products as donations including unused medical supplies and equipment. They do not accept expired supplies or pharmaceutical products as donations.

Medical supplies and equipment that are accepted may include things like ace wraps to burn dressings to crutches.

Equipment accepted can be cardiac monitors, exam tables, hoyer lifts, and walkers.

Check the website for a complete of items being accepted. If you want to donate supplies, call 216-692-1685.

4. Help The Children

Help The Children strives to provide medical services and supplies to impoverished people around the world.

Note that they accept donations of medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and antibiotic ointment, as well as unopened packages of many common over-the-counter medications. To make a donation of medication or other supplies, call 323- 980-9870.

5. Alliance for Smiles

Alliance for Smiles receives donations of surplus medical supplies and equipment and distributes them to people who need them the most.

Note that they have an online medical supply needs list since their needs are constantly changing. Supplies can be surgical, dental, pediatric, as well as bio-medical in nature.

All supplies that are donated are expected to be within the expiration date and unused. To donate supplies, call 415-647-4481 or email info@allianceforsmiles.org.

6. American Medical Resource Foundation

The American Medical Resource Foundation is known to distribute donated medical equipment and supplies to charitable hospitals and medical clinics.

They receive used items that are either functioning or able to be repaired. The Foundation can arrange for the pick up of your items if needed. To make a donation email victor@amrf.com!

7. Project C.U.R.E.

Project C.U.R.E. is a humanitarian relief organization that receives medical supplies and equipment and donates it to developing countries.

A C.U.R.E. Kit is a specially prepared box, containing an assortment of medical supplies, medications, and instruments, designed to be hand-carried by a short-term medical team for international use.

The aim is to provide the most common medical and surgical items needed by a short-term medical team

8. Get Us PPE

This is a grassroots organization established by medical professionals that connects potential donors with hospitals and healthcare organizations around the country, with instructions on drop-off procedures.

9. Local Organizations That Accept Donations

There are various local organizations in the United States you can check in with if you prefer to donate medical supplies during a national disaster, epidemic, or pandemic.

However, note that during an epidemic or pandemic, donations may be put on hold in order to prevent contamination.

You can check in with your local department of public health to see if they are currently accepting medical supplies.

If not, you may be able to donate other supplies or foods that help out individuals or animals in need that are being negatively impacted. You can also check in with:

• Local clinics in your area
• Contact your local news station to see if they know of a business in need
• Places of worship
• Homeless shelters and safe houses
• Your local fire and police department
• Local restaurants and grocery stores that are open during a pandemic or epidemic

Most organizations are always accepting donations because they are always shipping out supplies.

A good number of these programs have monthly and annual goals they are trying to reach.

So don’t wait to contact them if you think you have supplies or equipment that they could use.

If you have concerns about the timing of your donation contact the organization you’ve chosen to donate to and ask for scheduling details.