5 Organizations That Will Pick Up Your Donations for Free
Published by Chris Townsend
Organizations That Pick Up Your Donations
One of the first steps to a successful relocation is to get rid of all the items you no longer need. Over the years, you’ve likely accumulated a lot of stuff – whether it’s an old bed frame collecting dust in your attic or a dining set that doesn’t get used anymore. If you have stuff that you need to get rid of, and you want to minimize what actually gets thrown in the garbage, consider donating. When you donate your old household items, they will go to someone else who has a use for them. Not to mention, donations made to charitable organizations are tax deductible.
Though, if the thought of having to lug bulky, heavy, or just numerous items to your local donation center is deterring you from donating at all, you’ll want to find an organization that will pick up your donations for free. Fortunately, we’ve done all the work for you! All of the organizations listed below offer donation pick-ups from the convenience of your home, many of which will even collect your large items like couches and tables.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is considered one of the best organizations for donation pickup. Founded in 1865, this international organization helps those with a range of different needs, such as those suffering from poverty, hunger, human trafficking, addiction, domestic violence, and more. If you’ve ever been shopping during the holiday season, you’ve likely seen Salvation Army volunteers asking for donations for their red kettle project. This, along with using their donation pick up service is just some of the ways that you can support Salvation Army’s efforts.
Items that The Salvation Army accepts: The Salvation Army will accept most of your furniture items, except for metal desks, particle board furniture, baby items, and TV armoires because of recalls or government re-selling regulations. They will also take clothing, appliances, dishes, kitchenware, household décor, electronics, vehicles, and more.
How your donation helps: What you donate to The Salvation Army will be sold in one of their Family stores. The money made from these donations contributes to their proceeds towards their Adult Rehabilitation centers. Operating in 130 different countries, the Salvation Army is able to assist approximately 23 million Americans every year.
Habitat for Humanity
Another option for donation pickup, Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization whose main focus is on building safe and affordable homes for families who need them. They operate across all 50 states, in addition to approximately 70 countries around the world. Habitat for Humanity also serves as a furniture pickup and donation center.
They offer free donation pick-up, once a week for furniture donations. To schedule a pickup, simply call the Habitat Humanity location that is located closest to you.
Items that Habitat for Humanity accepts: Although your local Habitat ReStore might have specific requests for donations, most locations accept furniture, vehicles, building materials, appliances, farm equipment, and even airplanes.
How your donation helps: Donations will be sold at one of their ReStore locations, their home improvement and furniture resale stores. The proceeds from these sales go toward the efforts to build homes, and also repair those built by the organization. Anyone can apply to live in a Habitat for Humanity home, although candidates are accepted based on financial need.
AMVETS
AMVETS, short for American Veterans, is an organization that supports local veterans and their families. They have been serving United States veterans since 1944, operating in 22 states with both donation pick-ups and physical stores. To use their donation pick up service, simply go to their website and fill out the pickup form.
If they offer services in your area, you’ll need to pack up your donations in boxes, label them ‘AMVETS,’ and place them outside your door before 7:30am on pickup day. For larger items, contact your nearest chapter to find out how they handle the pickup of these types of donations.
Items that AMVETS accepts: The types of donations that AMVETS accepts includes clothing (for men, women, and children), kitchenware, small appliances, electronics, various household items, and more. They will also accept exercise equipment, flat-screen TVs, and computers if they are less than five years old. If you’re unsure if they’ll accept one of your donations, call them and ask! They tend to accept much more outside of this list.
How your donation helps: Your donations are sold in their thrift stores to generate revenue that helps support their numerous Veterans Programs.
Goodwill
Goodwill is, arguably, the most well-known organization on this list. However, many are unaware of the fact that they will pick up your donated items. Goodwill has over 157 organizations across the United States, Canada, and 12 other countries, in addition to roughly 3,300 stores in North America alone. These stores work on the community level to provide employment and job training resources.
To check if Goodwill pick up is available in your area, visit their website and navigate to “charity near me.” Contact them directly to find out what they accept and how to schedule a pick up.
Items that Goodwill accepts: Goodwill will take clothing, furniture, electronics, artwork, décor, dishes, glassware, kitchenware, and accessories. They will also accept many types of vehicles including cars, boats, SUVs, RVs, riding lawn mowers, campers, and more. In most cases, they don’t even have to be in working condition!
How your donation helps: Your Goodwill donations are sold in their stores or on their online auction website. The profit is used to fund employment training and job placement assistance in your area for the elderly, youth, individuals with disabilities, and those who are trying to get their life back on track after a prison sentence, among many others.
Pick Up Please
Pick Up Please is a program created by the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA). Donations of clothing and other household goods that go towards this organization greatly benefit the lives of America’s Veterans and their families. The funds generated from donations directly support the Vietnam Veterans of America’s local, state, and national programs.
Scheduling a donation with Pick Up Please is done conveniently only, and your items are often picked up within 24 hours. One of the main benefits is that you don’t even have to be home at the time your donations are to be picked up. Simply place the items you wish to donate in a box, label it “VVA Donation Pick up,” and they will retrieve it, leaving you either a physical tax deduction receipt or have one sent to your email.
Currently, this service is only available in California, Oregon, Colorado, Delaware, Michigan, Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Louisiana, and Connecticut. Check their website to see where in these states you can donate!
Items that Pick Up Please accepts: Pick Up Please will accept a wide array of donations including gently used clothes, shoes, purses, toys, electronics, household items, exercise equipment, yard tools, musical instruments, and so much more. Visit their website for the full list. Though, it’s important to note that they can only take items that are small and lightweight enough for one individual to easily lift and carry.
How your donation helps: Vietnam Veterans of America sells your donations to private companies by annual bid, generating most of the funding to support their local, state, and national programs. The VVA is a critical support service for America’s veterans, and your donations make all of their efforts possible.
