Cookbooks are one of the most common items people want to donate. Kitchen shelves overflow with collections accumulated over years—some from childhood, some from cooking phases that have passed, and many that simply don't get used anymore. If you're clearing out your kitchen library and wondering what to do with those cookbooks, the New Mexico Literacy Project is here to help.
Many people feel guilty about tossing cookbooks because they represent more than just recipes. They carry traditions and family memories. Donating them passes them to cooks who will use them and keeps them out of the landfill.
Last verified October 2026 · Original research by Josh Eldred
I Accept All Cookbooks—No Matter the Type
I accept all cookbooks, regardless of type or age. Whether you have:
- Vintage cookbooks from decades past
- Modern cookbooks with contemporary recipes
- Regional cookbooks focusing on Southwest cuisine, chile recipes, and New Mexico traditions
- Holiday-themed cookbooks
- Dietary-specific cookbooks (vegetarian, keto, gluten-free, etc.)
- Specialty cookbooks for international cuisines
I give books a second life through resale and free distribution, ensuring your cookbooks find their way to someone who will value them.
Cookbooks in Any Condition Welcome
One of the biggest concerns people have when donating is whether their cookbooks need to be in perfect condition. The answer is simple: they don't. I welcome cookbooks with:
- Stained pages from cooking spills
- Food-splattered covers
- Missing or damaged dust jackets
- Bent spines from heavy use
- Handwritten notes and recipe annotations in the margins
- Bookmarks and page markers left inside
- Any other signs of a cookbook that's been loved and used
In fact, annotated recipes and personal notes can add character and value to a cookbook for the next reader. Your years of cooking experience captured in those margins might inspire someone else's kitchen adventures.
Vintage and Regional Cookbooks Are Welcome Too
Church and civic cookbooks, chile and Southwest collections, and spiral-bound family books with handwritten notes all come in the same way as everything else. I sort every box by hand. Cookbooks that sell fund the free pickup, and readable ones I can't sell go free to Little Free Libraries around town.
Free 24/7 Drop Box in Albuquerque
The easiest way to donate your cookbooks is through my free 24/7 drop box, located at:
5445 Edith Blvd NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
Located at the intersection of Edith and Montano in the North Valley
You can drop off your cookbooks anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; no appointments needed. Just bring your donation to the drop box and you're done.
Free Pickup for Large Collections
If you're clearing out an entire kitchen library or have a large collection of cookbooks that's too much to transport, I offer free pickup service for large donations. Whether you have five boxes or fifty, I'll come to you.
To arrange a free pickup for your cookbook collection, call me at 505-250-3804. Let me know the approximate number of books and what works best for your schedule. I'll handle the rest.
Your Cookbook Donation Makes a Difference
By my estimate, about 500,000 pounds of books have come through since 2021, and your cookbooks join that count. Each cookbook you donate becomes part of that effort, keeping books in circulation and accessible to readers throughout the Albuquerque area and beyond.
When you donate your cookbooks, you're not just decluttering your home—you're giving those books a second life with readers who will use and appreciate them.
Learn More About Donating Books
Interested in learning more about book donations and my free services? Check out these related articles: