Don't be afraid to tell your friends what you are looking for or in need of. They might just have that special something in their donate pile at home, or know of someone else who has that item.
One day I was at a friend’s house and while we were talking she told me about a cookbook she wanted. I told her that I had that cookbook and didn't want it anymore. She got what she wanted and I got rid of the cookbook and made space for a new one.
Another example is hand-me-downs for children's clothing. We have an amazing foster to adopt baby that was born premature, we had no preemie clothes, my friend told her friend and they came to our house and brought us all of their preemie clothes! Praise GOD!!!!! We are now the happy recipients of all of their little boy's clothes and incredibly thankful.