William Lipovsky
Short Answer — Many Walmart Vision Centers accept donations of used glasses, including prescription eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses. Walmart partners with the Lions Club to collect eyewear for those in need.
How to Donate Eyeglasses at Walmart
Walmart stores partner with the Lions Club to collect used eyeglasses for those in need.[1] At participating store locations, you’ll find a donation box in the Vision Center.[2]
We called Walmart Vision Centers in Arizona, Indiana, and New York to confirm this information.
As noted above, not all Walmart stores may have a donation box available. You can call your local Walmart in advance to find out if it takes glasses.
Restrictions
All Walmart eyeglass donation boxes accept used eyewear, including both eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses.[2]
However, Walmart doesn’t accept over-the-counter reading glasses. And, your donations must not be broken or missing lenses.[2]
Donation Process
To donate glasses, bring your prescription eyeglasses and/or sunglasses to a participating Walmart Vision Center and look for the blue and white Lions Club donation box.[3]
The Lions Club has a vision mission to provide eye care to underserved communities and prevent blindness. Part of this mission involves collecting and distributing donated eyeglasses to those in need.[4]
Walmart doesn’t provide donation receipts for tax purposes when you donate glasses.[3]
Sam’s Club Eyeglass Donation
Sam’s Club, which is owned and operated by Walmart, also partners with the Lions Club to collect eyeglasses donations.
We contacted Sam’s Club locations in Arizona, Indiana, and New Jersey and found that most Sam’s Club Optical Centers have eyeglass donation boxes — but not all of them.
More Information
If your local Walmart doesn’t accept donations, you can find another option by contacting your local Lions Club chapter.
Where can I donate brand new “cheaters” reading glasses to?
Hello, Kim! New Eyes for the Needy accepts reading glasses. You can donate your glasses by mail. The instructions and address are listed at New-Eyes.org.
I want to donate prescription eyeglasses. My local Walmart informed me they do not collect them. Who can I contact?
Hello, Nancy! Great question! You may want to try contacting a local Lions Club to see if it collects eyeglasses at its office or at other local establishments; you can find one near you using the Club locator. The Lions Club sometimes places donation drop-offs at libraries, churches, or local optometrists’ offices. The charitable organization New Eyes for the Needy also accepts donations by mail. We have update the article to include this information.