Moving is the time of revision of all the items that you own. From the smallest sentimental clutter to the largest items such as furniture and appliances, it is important to decide what to do with them. When you are preparing for a move, you are faced with an inevitable question about what to do with unwanted items and old furniture. If it is not broken, stained or torn you can donate old furniture to charity. Most of the time they will come and assess the condition of the items and arrange a free pick-up. And you will do a good deed before you move elsewhere.
Why should you donate furniture?
There are dozens of charities where you can donate furniture and almost as much good causes for which they are working. Helping homeless people, addicts, the military, and unemployed people is truly remarkable. So, as we already mentioned doing a good deed is truly the main purpose of the donation. And all you have to do is make a few phone calls. Furthermore, when you donate the furniture to a charity you can have the money deducted from your tax at the end of the year. Plus, you won`t have to pay for moving heavy items, which significantly improves your finances.
Goodwill
With more than 3000 stores across the U.S., there are pretty big chances that there is a store of theirs near your home. Once you donate your old furniture to Goodwill they sell it and use the money for educating people. If you make a donation to Goodwill, you will help fund employment training and new job opportunities. Last year alone they funded trainings of over 240,000 people. They accept old furniture, but also dishes, cars, electronics, and accessories.
Habitat for Humanity
If you want to help in building new homes for people in need, Habitat for Humanity is the right organization where you should donate your old furniture. They will come and pick up the furniture for free, as well. Habitat for Humanity resells the furniture and other items such as building materials, accessories, appliances, cars, and motorcycles and builds new homes or repair the old ones. You can find them in 50 countries across the U.S, so this is a great opportunity to help build someone`s new home.
Pick up Please
This organization accepts the donation of many items, except large furniture. If you want to donate smaller pieces of furniture such as nightstands, chairs or similar, they are an excellent choice. Their mission is to help Vietnam Veterans of America. If you are not sure whether they can accept your furniture always call beforehand to confirm. If everything is alright, within 24 hours someone will come to pick up all the items that you have prepared. They will leave you a receipt for a tax deduction as well.
Furniture Banks
Furniture Banks is the association that helps people in need have proper furniture. Immigrants, unemployed people, people that work but are poor, or the homeless are all groups that this association is helping every day. They offer free pick-up as well. If you have furniture that is in good condition but will not fit into the interior of your new house, donate it to Furniture Banks. It will go directly into the hands of people in need. Helping others by donating is the most beautiful thing that you can do before the move. It will help ease the moving stress because you will know that you made someone happy.
The Arc
The Arc is continuously helping people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. With a free pick-up option, they will sell your old furniture in their stores and use the money to help people in need. They also accept donations in clothing, shoes, electronics, kitchen appliances, books, and other things. If you choose to make a donation to any of these nonprofit organizations, make a phone call and ask what do they accept. You can even choose to donate different items to different organizations to support various causes.
Homeless shelters
Are there any of the homeless shelters near your home? Donating to homeless shelters is very noble and let us say necessary. Go online and check whether there is a shelter near you and see if they will accept your items. They usually sell the items that are donated in order to provide for food, shelter, shower and other things for the homeless.
Download the Nextdoor app
If you haven`t already, download this app and get in touch with your neighbors. Maybe some of your neighbors are in need and would like a new piece of furniture. You will be able to easily arrange for this donation as the app will connect you to people living in your immediate vicinity.
Theater organizations
Theatres often need different pieces of furniture in order to create the sets for their plays. And, since the money can be an issue more often than not, your donation would mean a lot to them. You can google amateur theatres in your area, and contact them. They would appreciate any piece of furniture. While they may not offer free-pickup for the items, you will know that you have helped culture grow even a little bit.
If the organizations do not accept the furniture that you have
Usually, non-functional pieces of furniture will not be accepted, or items with stains and odors. However, even if you cannot donate, there is no reason why you should not do a good deed. This is the situation in which you can go green, and support the planet. Take your furniture to the nearest recycling center and they will know how to deal with it.
Leaving furniture outside your home, or in some dumpster is not a viable solution. When there is a possibility to help someone or do the right thing, you should always opt for it. Whatever organization or charity that you choose, you will know that you helped someone in need.
