Tough times for the average person mean even tougher times for charities. While fewer people are donating money, more people (and animals) than ever are in need of their services. Here are a few simple things you can do for free this weekend that will leave your home a little cleaner and the world a little brighter.

Raid your pantry. We all have a few boxes and cans sitting in cupboards that we know we’ll probably never use.

With the huge number of people visiting food banks, those items can really help someone out and the extra space in your kitchen will come in handy with the holidays just around the corner. Grab that cherry pie filling you bought for a BBQ in July, the muffin mix you meant to use last time family stayed over, and the low-sodium soup that you bought 4 cans of and just didn’t like. Toss them in a bag and drop it off at a local food bank. Find one here.

Clean out your linen closet. Those ratty old blankets and towels with frayed edges can keep a shelter dog warm this winter.

Most shelters depend on donations from the public for items like these and without them, dogs are forced to sleep on cement that’s cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Shelters are overrun with pets abandoned or turned in by their owners who’ve lost jobs in the bad economy. This weekend, help a homeless pup while freeing up some space in your linen closet by donating your shabby towels, blankets or even rugs. Find a shelter near you here.

Donate your wedding or prom dress.

Those things take up lots of space and lets face it, your future daughter/niece/little sister is just not going to wear it. Makingmemories.org makes dreams come true for women with metastatic breast cancer. Dresses that aren’t worn by brides in need are auctioned off and funds are used to help the cause.

Have a prom dress taking up space in your closet? It could be a dream come true for a girl who can’t afford to buy one of her own. Find a drop-off location at donatemydress.org.

Get your medicine cabinet in shipshape.

We all have shampoo that we tried and didn’t like and a bottle or two of gift-basket lotion that smelled less than amazing. Put them to good use by donating things like soap, deodorant, or unused medications that will be good for at least 6 more months at worldmedicalrelief.org.

And last but certainly not least, make sure you’re a member of SocialVibe! It may not make your house any cleaner but each activity you do directly raises money for a great cause.

Sign up and choose your cause here.

Find even more great ways to help at thesimpledollar.com.