If you're worried about tax deductions chances are you won't qualify. You need to be able to itemize, rather than take the standard deduction, to get any value from donations. On top of that, if you donate more than $500 worth of items, the rules become a lot more stricter. You can donate for the good feeling it gives you, but don't count on the tax deduction unless you've really looked into it in advance.
Personally, I say sell the good stuff at a garage sale or on craigslist/ebay and donate the rest because someone will want it, but it just isn't worth your time to find that person.