I'm trying to help a friend who donated large amounts of small dollar value items to an animal shelter last year. Some were dollar store items, some were larger items like food, medical supplies & small cost equipment. The total value (based on her purchase price) totaled over $6000. How do I show this on Schedule A? I think she needs to fill out Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Deductions), but I don't know where to begin. There are over 500 different items she donated at different dates over the year. Can these all be lumped together on one line? The form talks about an appraisal?? Help... where do I start??

You need to lump them together, but NOT all on one line on Form 8283. Spread it out over several dates.

It would be better if she contacted the animal shelter and got several receipts for different dates throughout the year. That way, she has a paper trail to show the IRS if they decide to audit the return.