Who we are

Vacation Donations is a nonprofit online community resource in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, and beyond. We encourage vacationers and property managers to donate unused food, beach toys, books and other items that travelers can’t or don’t take back with them. We also encourage the donation of items “too used” to be offered in vacation rentals, but perfectly fine for many people – and sometimes pets.

We do this by showing you how and where, and YOU take it from there!

Owners and property managers: Ask us for free fridge magnets, stickers and a tips page of how you and your renters can reuse, recycle, repurpose and donate in IRB and beyond!

We also encourage other communities to start similar projects that fit their own specific needs. For tips, see "Ways to help" on our website, and we'll personally assist you as well.

Indian Rocks Beach, or IRB as it’s known to locals, covers 2.7 miles of shoreline on Florida’s Gulf Coast, between Clearwater and St. Petersburg, and has about 3,700 residents. Like many vacation communities around the country and beyond, it’s filling up with short-term rentals, which have cooking facilities and encourage longer stays. Visitors who come from afar, especially by plane, often buy food, beach supplies, books and more while they’re visiting and then leave much of it behind when they depart. Too often, these items get thrown away or sit around unused. By providing a one-stop source of information, we’re making it easy for travelers and property managers to “After a stay, give it away.”

How it all started

Vacation Donations was launched in 2023 by Diane Daniel, who has been connected to Indian Rocks Beach since the 1970s. She currently divides her time between IRB and the Netherlands. (By the way, she's pictured here with her used beach bike, 15-year-old  "Croc"-offs and $3 T-shirt from the local Beach Community Thrift Store. The sticker on her bike cupholder is for local Anecdote Brewing. She practices what she preaches!)

When Diane isn’t in IRB, she rents out her home. She's seen firsthand the many things her guests leave behind. She hates waste and loves recycling, reusing and repurposing. She believes most people feel the same way and would be happy to donate if they knew how and where. With Vacation Donations, now they know!

Mission/vision statement

Vacation Donations addresses growing landfill waste and hunger by reducing food and item waste in vacation rentals. We do this by providing inspiration and donation/reuse resources to travelers, vacation property owners/managers and community members. Our vision is to see vacation rentals become as waste-free as possible.

How we're structured

Vacation Donations operates as a community/volunteer group and is a tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donors can deduct contributions under IRC section 170. We welcome donations of any amount to help offset the cost of magnets, food drives and marketing materials. Contact Diane or send donations via Zelle using the address [email protected].  Thank you!

(And because we mentioned donations, here's the mandatory verbiage, ALL CAPS included! A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR VACATION DONATIONS REGISTRATION NO. CH73583 MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE AT 800-435-7352  WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.)