CATHOLIC SERVICES OF ACADIANA  401 St. John Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 – (337) 235-4972

  • Catholic Services of Acadiana helps those experiencing hunger, poverty and homelessness in Acadiana. They operate several homeless shelters, St. Joseph Diner prepares free meals every day to anyone who is hungry as well as other services for those in need.

ReSTORE – HABITAT FOR HUMANITY 3123 Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA 70501 – (337) 371-6030

  • Lafayette’s ReStore takes new and gently-used furniture, appliance and home building items and you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing they helped support local families. All of your donations are tax-deductible and they will pick up large items.

FAITH HOUSE OF ACADIANA  (337) 232-8954

  • Donations may be made at: Bridge Storage, 2510 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Lafayette, LA 70506  — Monday and Wednesday 9:00am – 3:00pm
  • Faith House is a private, non-profit program for survivors of domestic violence and their children. Cleaning Supplies, Food, Paper Goods, Health & Beauty, Clothing, Baby Items, Miscellaneous

HUT (HAND UP THRIFT)  105 Leonie Street, Lafayette, LA 70506 – (337) 704-4444

  • Store Hours:  Mon-Sat 9:00am – 5:30pm
  • HUT is a local thrift store in Acadiana associated with two local partnerships including the Affiliated Blind of Louisiana and Family Promise of Acadiana.

​THE EXTRA MILE  525 South Buchanan St. – Downtown Lafayette – (337) 237-2090

  • The Extra Mile helps the mentally ill, families involved with Department of Child and Family Services and the impoverished in Acadiana. They accept new and used items such as clothing, baby gear, school supplies and household items. All donations are tax deductible and donated items are distributed to individuals and families in need.

GOODWILL CAR DONATION 

  • Goodwill Car Donation makes the removal of old and non-working vehicles easier.

BUTTERFLY EFFECT PROJECT

  • They are a non profit accepting community donations of new and gently used prom dresses and give them at no cost to high-school girls. (337) 565-0593
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Keep till warranty expires or can no longer return or exchange

  • Sales Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then keep for 3 years)

What to keep for 1 month

  • ATM Printouts (When you balance your checkbook each month throw out the ATM receipts)

What to keep for 1 year

  • Paycheck Stubs (You can get rid of once you have compared to your W2 & annual social security statement)
  • Utility Bills (You can throw out after one year, unless you’re using these as a deduction like a home office –then you need to keep them for 3 years after you’ve filed that tax return)
  • Cancelled Checks (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
  • Credit Card Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
  • Bank Statements (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)
  • Quarterly Investment Statements (Hold on to until you get your annual statement)

What to keep for 3 years

  • Income Tax Returns (Please keep in mind that you can be audited by the IRS for no reason up to three years after you filed a tax return. If you omit 25% of your gross income that goes up to 6 years and if you don’t file a tax return at all, there is no statute of limitations.)
  • Medical Bills and Cancelled Insurance Policies
  • Records of Selling a House (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)
  • Records of Selling a Stock (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)
  • Receipts, Cancelled Checks and other Documents that Support Income or a Deduction on your Tax Return (Keep 3 years from the date the return was filed or 2 years from the date the tax was paid — which ever is later)
  • Annual Investment Statement (Hold onto 3 years after you sell your investment.)

What to keep for 7 years

  • Records of Satisfied Loans

What to hold while active

  • Contracts
  • Insurance Documents
  • Stock Certificates
  • Property Records
  • Stock Records
  • Records of Pensions and Retirement Plans
  • Property Tax Records Disputed Bills (Keep the bill until the dispute is resolved)
  • Home Improvement Records (Hold for at least 3 years after the due date for the tax return that includes the income or loss on the asset when it’s sold)

Keep Forever

  • Marriage Licenses
  • Birth Certificates
  • Wills
  • Adoption Papers
  • Death Certificates
  • Records of Paid Mortgages

* These documents should be kept in a very safe place, like a safety deposit box.