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Donating Unused Ostomy Supplies

Laura Cox, LPC
Laura Cox, LPC
Ostomy Lifestyle Specialist | Shield HealthCare
05/12/15  9:28 PM PST
donating unused ostomy supplies

There are many people with ostomies worldwide that do not have the resources to get the supplies they need. If, due to a reversal or your ostomy or after switching to a new product, you find yourself with unneeded or outdated supplies, you can help those in need by donating unused ostomy supplies.

Donating Unused Ostomy Supplies

How Can You Help?

  1. Give your supplies to a local ostomy support group. You can find your local UOAA support group on the UOAA website. Or, you could give the supplies to your Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (WOCN). If you do not know a WOCN in your area, you can find one on the official WOCN website. This way, people with new ostomies can sample different products while looking for the right fit for them.

-or-

  1. Donate to an organization committed to providing supplies to ostomates in need. Two such organizations are:
    1. Friends of Ostomates Worldwide – www.fowusa.org
      1. Who They Are: A non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1986.
      2. What They Do: Send donated ostomy supplies to people in need worldwide, and make sure the supplies are distributed free-of-charge.
    2. Ostogroup – www.ostogroup.org
      1. Who They Are:  A not-for-profit organization that receives donations of unused ostomy products from all over the United States.
      2. What They Do: Collect donated ostomy supplies and provide them to the uninsured for just the cost of shipping and handling.

Do you know of another organization that provides supplies to ostomates in need? Please let us know and provide a link in the comments below. Thank you!

For more information, see related articles and ostomy resources here:

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Comments

50 Comments

  1. marianne s.
    Posted July 7, 2015 at 8:30 pm PDT

    thanks for posting these web urls for donating products Ive been wondering what to do with some i cant use

  2. Laura Cox
    Posted July 17, 2015 at 5:12 pm PDT

    You’re welcome! Glad this helped Marianne!

  3. Lizzet Trains
    Posted November 22, 2015 at 6:00 pm PST

    Hi I was wondering if you know anywhere in Ringwood or Paramus NJ that my friend can donate her husbands ostomy supplies? He passed away and no local hospitals will accept. They told her to ship it to Florida but there is a lot and it would cost over $100 to ship. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you,
    Lizzet

  4. Aimee Sharp
    Posted November 24, 2015 at 5:02 pm PST

    Hi Lizzet. For information in the New Jersey area, we recommend contacting the United Ostomates of North Jersey and asking if they have a recommendation about where to donate the supplies: http://www.ostomy.org/asg_pages_asg_063.html Good luck and thanks for the comment! – Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  5. DIANA M.
    Posted December 14, 2015 at 12:39 pm PST

    IS THERE SOMEWHERE IN FRESNO THAT I CAN DONATE MY DADS OSTOMY SUPPLIES?

  6. Laura Cox
    Posted December 14, 2015 at 4:13 pm PST

    Hi Diana,

    I would start by contacting the nearest United Ostomy Association of America support group (I looked it up and the closest one to you is in Visalia, CA)

    The support group leader’s name is Andrea and you can email her at agregory@kdhcd.org

    She will know if there is a close place for you to donate your dad’s supplies.

  7. Debi
    Posted December 27, 2015 at 6:22 pm PST

    Ostomy 2-1-1 Inc is a 501 (C)(3) Nonprofit that serves the US.
    They operate an emergency Ostomy supply pantry that serves residents in the US.
    They have a private support group for ostomates.
    They have an online resource directory set up like a yellow pages directory.

    http://www.ostomy211.com
    ostomy211@gmail.com
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ostomy211/

  8. Mickie
    Posted January 6, 2016 at 6:44 pm PST

    Where can I donate my sister’s ostomy supplies? I have cases of wafers, bags, creams, etc. We live near Radford, va. These are brand new sealed items.

  9. Laura Cox
    Posted January 7, 2016 at 10:47 am PST

    You can donate them to Friends of Ostomates Worldwide, or if you’d like to donate more locally, you can contact the United Ostomy Associations of America’s Support Group nearest you (here’s a link to locate the groups: http://www.ostomy.org/Find_a_Support_Group.html )

  10. Lorraine
    Posted February 10, 2016 at 5:36 pm PST

    I have urostomy supplies that my family member didn’t use. Where in the Sacramento CA area may I donate them?

  11. Laura Cox
    Posted February 11, 2016 at 8:22 am PST

    If you want to donate locally, I would contact the leader of the local Sacramento support group, to see if they need any supplies or if they have a local organization that will take them. Here is a link to the Sacramento ostomy support group! http://uoasacto.weebly.com/

  12. Anna williams
    Posted March 28, 2016 at 7:35 am PDT

    I am asking for help, I’m having my surgery on 3/31/2016 . I have no insurance and need help with my supplies for a colostomy . Does any body no were I can go I live in mineral VA

  13. Laura Cox
    Posted March 28, 2016 at 10:00 am PDT

    Hi Anna,

    First, I would look for a local WOCN (wound ostomy continence nurse) or support group and ask if they have any supplies that you could use (if you need help finding a WOCN or support group, please let me know and I can assist you). Otherwise I would suggest you find somewhere you can purchase ostomy supplies out of pocket. Ostogroup tends to be one of the cheapest places.

    I hope your surgery goes well and you have a quick recovery!

    -Laura

  14. Myrna
    Posted April 12, 2016 at 8:23 am PDT

    My sister is in desperate need of wafers and pouches , 57mm. and she doesn’t have insurance.

    Is there anyone who doesn’t need theirs that can donate them to her?

    Any little bit helps, Thanks,

  15. Laura Cox
    Posted April 12, 2016 at 8:44 am PDT

    Hi Myrna, I would suggest she use ostogroup (see above) to get her ostomy supplies. They provide supplies to the uninsured for a low price! https://www.ostogroup.org

  16. Brandy Cortez
    Posted May 5, 2016 at 7:56 pm PDT

    Hi i live near the Los Angeles, CA area and my grandma has been recently cut off from her medical colostomy bags, and since they are expensive i was wondering if anyone knew of a place where she can receive them at a low price or even (by some miracle) free.
    Any help is greatly appreciated!

  17. Laura Cox
    Posted May 9, 2016 at 9:06 am PDT

    Hi Brandy,
    I’m sorry to hear your grandma has been cut off from her pouches! Does she have insurance? Most insurance will pay for a certain amount of pouches each month (I would be happy to help you find out about her insurance if you would like). If she does not have insurance she can pay out of pocket for her supplies on websites like Ostogroup. Your local WOCN may also have some insight about local places to purchase pouches. Please let me know if you need any assistance!
    Good luck!
    -Laura

  18. Jeannie Magnus
    Posted July 24, 2016 at 9:38 pm PDT

    stopped to feed a homeless guy and to pray for him. he said he need colostomy bags. Do you know of a place in the Sacramento, CA area where i could get him a free supply of them for him?

  19. Laura Cox
    Posted July 25, 2016 at 11:15 am PDT

    I would look up your local WOC Nurse (Wound, ostomy, continence nurse) and see if he or she has any donated supplies to give. Here is how you can find your local WOC Nurse. http://www.wocn.org/?page=Nurse_Referral

    You are so kindhearted to want to help!

    Another possibility is to get him registered for Medi-Cal. He then could be signed up for a distributor to get his supplies. If he has any family with a permanent address the pouches can be sent there (I know some people on Skid Row in LA do this). I hope this helps.

  20. Leo Helmar
    Posted August 22, 2016 at 3:07 pm PDT

    Want to know if someone needs ostomy supplies have approximately 1000 pouches and flanges convatec cannot afford to be shipping 90 pounds of supplires any help there please else they will becdisposed of in the trash. Thank you

  21. Laura Cox
    Posted August 23, 2016 at 8:25 am PDT

    Hi Leo, I would suggest you contact the groups above to see if they will pay for shipping. Otherwise, I would bring the pouches to a local support group, which you can find here: http://www.ostomy.org/Find_a_Support_Group.html

    Thanks, Laura

  22. Richard Pruitt
    Posted August 24, 2016 at 3:55 pm PDT

    I have many unused osteomy supplies to donate.I live in Hemet,Ca.Any ideas?

  23. Laura Cox
    Posted August 25, 2016 at 7:44 am PDT

    Hi Richard, I would suggest you contact your local Hemet ostomy support group. Here’s a link to their website! http://www.hemetostomy.org/

  24. Silent Echo
    Posted September 12, 2016 at 9:19 am PDT

    I am from the Central Jersey area. I have ostomy supplies that are no longer needed. I would like to donate to an organization that doesn’t charge those that cannot afford supplies. If I knew someone that could use them I would gladly give them to that person No Charge. Can someone please advise me. Thank You

  25. Aimee Sharp
    Posted September 12, 2016 at 9:56 am PDT

    Hi, Silent Echo! There are many ostomy support groups in the Central New Jersey area, so if you use this site: http://www.ostomy.org/Find_a_Support_Group.html and type in your zip code, you can find the nearest on to you. Call and ask them if you they’d be interested in your unused ostomy supplies. You are welcome to specify that you want to make sure they’re given away, not sold, but that is generally how it’s done. Thanks so much for reaching out! I’m sure the recipients will appreciate it. -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  26. Heather Holmes
    Posted September 15, 2016 at 4:37 pm PDT

    Hi, I volunteer at a nonprofit organization (GoodHealthwill) that collects donations of medical equipment and healthcare supplies — including tons of ostomy stuff! — and provides them to the public thrift store style at our warehouse locations in Colorado. GoodHealthwill also ships! Genelle Davis is the online sales and shipping coordinator for the nonprofit, and she can be reached at Genelle@GoodHealthwill.org or 970-825-2540. We provide ostomy supplies for $5-15/box. You can find more info at http://www.GoodHealthwill.org and http://www.Facebook.com/GoodHealthwill. Thanks!

  27. Aimee Sharp
    Posted September 16, 2016 at 8:38 am PDT

    Hi Heather! Thanks for providing this great information, and thanks for volunteering! I have added your site to our OstomyLife resource links page. We appreciate it! -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  28. Jaretha fletcher
    Posted September 18, 2016 at 10:39 am PDT

    I would like to receive free ostomy supplies due to the fact of how costly they are. I would appreciate it very much

  29. Heather Evans
    Posted November 11, 2016 at 4:53 am PST

    Hi Laura,

    My Grandma just passed away and we are in the process of cleaning out her house. She has a few shelves full of ostomy supplies that we would love to donate but cannot find anywhere near us, the shipping of the products would be too much since there is a lot. Do you know of anywhere near Grand Rapids, MI that would take the donation?

  30. Aimee Sharp
    Posted November 18, 2016 at 11:11 am PST

    Hi Ms. Evans. Thank you for your question. We’re sorry to hear about the passing of your grandmother. If you head to this Find a Support Group site through ostomy.org, and type in your zip code, you can find the group nearest on to you. Call and ask them if you they’d be interested in the unused ostomy supplies. Thanks again for reaching out! -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  31. Destini Beysher
    Posted November 12, 2016 at 2:00 pm PST

    If anyone needs a 30 day supply of bags or wafers, you can contact Convetec @ (866) 207-5909. They will provide a 30 day supply. They also sent me adhesive remover and or other samples. Im donating all mine on 11/28 to the local office. Jacksonville, Fl. Hope this helps someone. GodBless everyone dealing with thibeen there done it and its been horrible. Just remember you are not alone

  32. oyun
    Posted January 3, 2017 at 5:23 pm PST

    Does anyone have ostomy bags, ostomy skin repair cream and other useful ostomy supplies to donate? please help me. asap thank you!

  33. Aimee Sharp
    Posted January 4, 2017 at 10:36 am PST

    Hi Oyun. You may find Destini’s comment in this thread helpful. You can find it above, but she says: “If anyone needs a 30 day supply of bags or wafers, you can contact Convetec @ (866) 207-5909. They will provide a 30 day supply. They also sent me adhesive remover and or other samples.” Hope that helps! -Aimee, Shield HealthCare

  34. Laura
    Posted April 7, 2017 at 8:48 am PDT

    do you know of anywhere that accepts pediatric ostomy supplies in the omaha nebraska area? my grandson has an ostomy and iliostomy so we have quite a bit of unopened supplies.
    thanks

  35. Monica
    Posted June 4, 2017 at 2:16 am PDT

    Hi Myrna…Coloplast and Convatec offer the Patient Assistance Program for people who are in need of ostomy supplies and dont have health insurance. Coloplast number is 877- 781- 2656. Convatec number is 800- 422- 8811.

  36. Debi Fox
    Posted March 27, 2018 at 8:04 pm PDT

    Ostomy 2-1-1 Inc is a 501 (C)(3) Nonprofit that serves the US.
    http://www.ostomy211.org

    They operate an emergency Ostomy supply pantry that serves residents in the US.
    http://www.ostomysupplies.ostomy211.org

    They have a private support group for ostomates.
    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ostomyfamily

    They have an online resource directory set up like a yellow pages directory.
    http://www.ostomy211.com

  37. Lynn E.
    Posted April 4, 2018 at 9:44 am PDT

    I have a lot of Hollister bags, powder, barrier rings, and no sting. I would like to donate in the Minneapolis MN area. But I am not finding anything here to drop off my items after my take down. thank you Lynn

  38. Julie G.
    Posted April 19, 2018 at 9:50 am PDT

    I also have a lot of ostomy supplies that we no longer need. I thank God everyday that my husband’s condition was reversible. Our insurance company paid for the supplies and we would like to donate them to someone or someplace that needs them. I did contact a place in Ann Arbor, Michigan and haven’t heard back. Do these places need them or not? I found the email under the UOAA, but got no response, not even a no. I’m still looking to get rid of this stuff or I’ll be throwing it all away, what a waste as I know they are expensive.

  39. Ramez k.
    Posted July 15, 2018 at 10:37 pm PDT

    Hi I have my father in law who lives in Amman Jordan in needs for colostomy supplies if there is any one has extra size 45 mm will be highly appreciated. I live in Sacramento ca so I can ship to him .

  40. Esteban I.
    Posted July 20, 2018 at 12:02 pm PDT

    In need of 8331 ostomy bags but cannot afford please help, Thank You Kirby Tx

  41. G.Brown
    Posted October 23, 2018 at 10:10 am PDT

    I am in bad need of supplies I have no income and there’s no resourse here in Livingston tx can someone plz help me . Thank you

  42. Naomi E.
    Posted November 12, 2018 at 10:59 pm PST

    Good Day! I am Naomi Enriquez from the Phillippines. I am humbly asking your help for my now 1 year old son who was born with OEIS, left renal agenesis and hydrocephalus. He had an ileostomy done when he was a day short of 3 months old and we are in need of ostomy supplies as it doesn’t come cheap and the cost of appliances here is equal to my husband’s average wage and therefore cannot afford it. Any help will be greatly appreciated. You may email me at naomi_vergara@yahoo.com. Thank you!

  43. Jeovany
    Posted November 25, 2018 at 9:19 am PST

    Desperate, Desperate,,my wife was diagnosed with stomchac and colon cancer and now she has an eliostomy done but the insurance doesn’t pay for those things, the bags we have ,which is only one left are two pieces that clip together from convetec , they work good on her, please help us with that and any other item related, 352-445-0295 is my number, thanks

  44. Linda t.
    Posted August 7, 2019 at 1:15 pm PDT

    My name is Linda I am 33years survivor . When I had jobs that had insurance I did not have any problem in getting my ostomy supplies. But I am disable and I have been through the ringer with both private insurances that after applying with them I was shock to find the health I assurances they were ailing did not cover preexisting conditions. They had went as far as telling me that they do not cover preexisting period. Then I went to something called market place, they are government health insurance. Found out later after I gotten them that they do not cover preexisting conditions even though they are part of Kentucky suggested health insurance for elderly and disable. I called them asked them about all I need in order to live they said they do not cover any of it nor would they cover any of my doctors. I am waiting to see what kind of health insurance that will cover my doctors my meds my needs to stay alive. Please can you help me. I just need enough till November maybe January.

  45. Kennedy M.
    Posted September 7, 2019 at 1:02 pm PDT

    Need assistance because am a cancer survivor who is dependent on colostomy bags and cannot afford the cost

  46. Sarah Sanchez
    Posted September 24, 2019 at 9:52 am PDT

    Hi Kennedy. I’m sorry to hear that you are having trouble getting supplies. Please follow this link to contact FOW-USA. I am hoping they can connect you with a support group or clinic in your area that can get you the supplies you need. I wish you the best. -Sarah, Shield HealthCare

  47. Kennedy M.
    Posted September 7, 2019 at 1:03 pm PDT

    Kindly help

  48. Cathy clayton
    Posted January 12, 2021 at 3:21 am PST

    I would like to buy some hollister pouch 18183 57mm 21/4in

  49. Catherine Smith
    Posted July 21, 2021 at 11:31 am PDT

    I from Huntington Beach, CA I have some medical supplies to donate but I can’t find anywhere in my area to donate. Thank you in advance for your help.

  50. kathleen klein
    Posted October 23, 2022 at 11:29 am PDT

    I find it appalling that it is so difficult to find someone in a person’s local area to donate supplies to. I have called nursing homes and hospitals. The cost to ship is too much. I can’t believe there is NO ONE in my area that can’t afford supplies! WHY is it so difficult?

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