Ravenna, the county seat of Portage County, is served by Goodwill Industries of Akron — the regional affiliate covering Summit, Portage, Medina, and surrounding Northeast Ohio counties. Donations at Goodwill locations in Ravenna support job training and employment programs for people with disabilities and other barriers to employment across the Akron metro region.
To find the current address and hours for Goodwill in Ravenna, use the store locator at goodwillakron.org or search for "Goodwill Ravenna OH" — hours and specific locations can change, and verifying before a large trip is worth it. The donation drop-off is typically at the rear or side of the building with a dedicated lane.
What they don't accept: mattresses, car seats, recalled items, hazardous materials, broken or heavily damaged items. Ohio winters mean items stored in garages or sheds may have moisture damage — check before bringing.
Goodwill Industries of Akron is a 501(c)(3). Donations are tax-deductible at fair market value. Request a receipt at drop-off — you fill in the item descriptions and estimated values. Use the Goodwill valuation guide for reference.
Revenue from Goodwill retail stores in Portage County and surrounding areas funds Goodwill Akron's employment training and placement programs. These include job skills training, career counseling, and placement assistance for people with disabilities, veterans, people with criminal records, and others who face barriers to finding work. Portage County — which includes Ravenna, Kent, Streetsboro, and Aurora — has a mix of manufacturing, university employment (Kent State University), and service sector jobs. Goodwill's programs help connect area residents with these opportunities.
Last updated May 2026. Store information from goodwillakron.org. Errors: [email protected]
Goodwill Industries of Akron serves Summit and Portage counties through retail stores, donation centers, and job training programs. Revenue from donated goods sold at Ravenna and other locations funds employment services for people with disabilities, criminal records, and other barriers to work. In 2024, Goodwill Industries of Akron placed over 800 individuals in jobs through its workforce development programs.
The Ravenna donation center feeds inventory into the Akron-area retail network. Items that don't sell in stores are sent to outlet locations sold by weight, then to textile recyclers — meaning almost nothing goes directly to landfill. A pile of worn-out jeans that can't be sold as clothing becomes raw material for industrial rags or insulation.
Goodwill provides a tax receipt at the time of donation. The receipt lists the date and location but leaves the valuation blank — IRS rules require donors to determine the fair market value of donated goods, not the receiving organization. Use the Goodwill Valuation Guide at goodwill.org/donate/valuation-guide for typical value ranges. For donations over $500, you'll need to file IRS Form 8283. For donations over $5,000, you'll also need a qualified appraisal.
Keep your receipt. If you donate regularly, consider keeping a running log of items donated and estimated values throughout the year rather than trying to reconstruct it at tax time.
If Goodwill's current hours or accepted items don't match what you need to donate, Portage County has other options:
The Ravenna donation center is one of several drop-off points feeding inventory into Goodwill Industries of Akron's retail network, which includes locations in Akron, Kent, Stow, Tallmadge, and surrounding communities. Portage County, where Ravenna is located, has a mix of rural and small-city communities with significant economic need — Goodwill's employment programs in this area serve populations including people returning from incarceration, individuals with developmental disabilities, and adults who've been long-term unemployed.
When you donate at the Ravenna location, your items enter a sorting and pricing process. Items in best condition go to retail floor. Items that don't sell go to Goodwill outlet (by-the-pound) stores. Remaining textiles go to recyclers. The revenue from each stage funds the mission. Goodwill is transparent about this: not everything you donate ends up being worn by another person, but the entire value chain contributes to their programs.
If you have furniture, appliances, or other large items that you can't transport yourself, Goodwill Industries of Akron offers free pickup service in their service area. Ravenna falls within their pickup zone. Schedule through the Goodwill website or by calling the Akron office. Lead time varies — expect 1–2 weeks for standard pickups, longer during high-demand periods like spring cleaning season and post-holiday.
For pickup, items must be accessible (ground floor or with elevator access; they don't carry items down multiple flights of stairs) and in sellable condition. They'll leave items that don't meet condition standards. Call ahead if you're unsure whether an item qualifies rather than scheduling and having them decline on arrival.
The thrift market in Northeast Ohio, like most of the country, has shifted since 2020. Vintage and retro items from the 1970s through 1990s sell extremely well. Brand-name clothing in good condition moves fast. Basic housewares and kitchen items are always needed. Electronics are hit-or-miss — newer items with cables and original accessories do better than older items.
What doesn't sell well at most Goodwill locations in the region: DVDs (streaming has crushed the market), VHS tapes, encyclopedias, large tube TVs, formal business suits from the 1990s, and broken items of any kind. Save yourself and the staff time by not donating things in these categories.
The best donations right now: athletic wear and outdoor gear, complete kitchen appliances in working order, children's clothing in good condition (sizes 0–12 are highest demand in most Northeast Ohio locations), vintage dishware and glassware, and power tools that work.