One of the very best outlets for leftover household articles is your local preschool, kindergarten, or elementary school. These kids are forever in need of a multitude of items, and the, teachers can be hard-pressed to come up with enough for everyone (the school budget sure doesn't cover it!). The following is a partial list of exceptionally useful items, but if you have anything to offer, please just call your local school and ask what they can use.

Just about anything of an "arts & crafts" nature: materials, ribbon, fake fur, thread spools, lace, buttons, yarn, "found-in-nature" items, bright wrapping paper, etc.

Things to use for "dress-up" and plays: old clothing (adult or kids), hats, glasses (they can remove the lenses), melmac-type dinnerware, pots, pans, bed or bath linens and dishcloths, costume jewelry, and old Halloween costumes.

Everyday items are used to teach counting, colors, science, social environment, etc. They can use telephones, calculators, magnets, books of all kinds, magazines, catalogs, keys, and other containers.

Plastic bags are used to send home wet or soiled clothing or to protect art work from the elements. Paper bags become a suit of armor, an Indian dress, paper dolls, or a building in a town. Paper rolls (bath, kitchen, or the large ones used for holiday wrap) are always in demand, as are toys.

So next time you have stuff that you no longer need, don't just put it out in the trash. Call around to see it some kids can use it (with a little imagination) to make it good (or better than) new.