Sometimes the hardest part of donating isn’t deciding what to give away. It’s figuring out how to get everything out of your house.
A few bags of clothes are easy enough to load into the car, but what about a couch, dining table, dresser, or several boxes of household items? If you don’t have a truck or someone around to help, a donation trip can quickly turn into a bigger project than expected.
The good news is that some charities and nonprofit organizations offer donation pickup services. Instead of hauling everything yourself, you can schedule a pickup and have someone come to your home.
Pickup rules vary by location, and not every branch offers the same service. Some organizations only collect larger items, while others have restrictions on what they’ll take or which ZIP codes they serve. It’s always a good idea to check the local program before setting everything outside.
Here are 12 organizations worth checking if you need help getting your donations out of the house.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is one of the first organizations many people think of for donation pickup. Depending on your area, you may be able to schedule a free pickup for furniture, clothing, appliances, and other household goods.
This can be especially helpful if you’re clearing out a home and have large pieces that won’t fit in your car. Donated goods are sold through Salvation Army thrift stores, with proceeds helping fund programs such as rehabilitation services, food assistance, shelters, and other community services.
Goodwill Industries International
Most people know Goodwill Industries International for its thrift stores, but some local Goodwill organizations also provide donation pickup.
The service varies quite a bit from one area to another, so check with your local Goodwill before loading up your car. Depending on the branch, accepted donations may include clothing, books, electronics, household goods, and furniture.
Money from donated merchandise helps support job training, employment services, and other programs run by local Goodwill organizations.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Have leftover furniture or materials from a home renovation? Habitat for Humanity ReStore may be a good place to start.
Many ReStore locations offer pickup for larger donations such as furniture, appliances, cabinets, lighting, and certain building materials. That can save you a lot of work if you’re remodeling a room or clearing out a garage.
Items are sold through Habitat ReStores, and the proceeds help support Habitat for Humanity’s housing work.
Related: 15 Donation Rules Most People Don’t Know
Vietnam Veterans of America
Vietnam Veterans of America operates the Pick Up Please program, which makes donating household items fairly straightforward in participating areas.
The program commonly accepts clothing, shoes, books, linens, toys, and smaller household items. Pickup can often be scheduled online, which is handy if you have several bags or boxes ready to go.
Before scheduling, check the service area and current list of accepted donations for your location.
AMVETS
AMVETS offers donation pickup in certain parts of the country. The organization supports veterans through programs that include advocacy, assistance, and other services.
Depending on the local pickup program, donations may include clothing, kitchen items, books, bedding, electronics, and small appliances.
Since AMVETS pickup coverage varies by region, check your local service area before making a pile of donations at the curb.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Some local Big Brothers Big Sisters organizations work with thrift stores and other donation programs to collect gently used goods.
Accepted items can include clothing, shoes, books, toys, electronics, and household items, though the list depends on the local program. Revenue from donated goods can help support youth mentoring programs.
If you have a large donation, contact your local chapter to find out whether pickup is available in your area.
Related: What Thrift Stores Wish People Knew Before Dropping Off Donations
The Arc
The Arc supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through a network of local and state organizations.
Some Arc chapters operate thrift stores or donation programs and may provide pickup for furniture, clothing, electronics, and household goods. Services are handled locally, so the items accepted and pickup options can differ from one chapter to another.
If you have furniture or several boxes to give away, checking with your nearest Arc organization could save you a trip.
Furniture Bank Network
Old furniture can be especially difficult to donate because moving it is often the biggest obstacle. Furniture Bank Network connects furniture donors with programs that provide household furnishings to people in need.
Furniture such as beds, couches, tables, chairs, and dressers may be given to families leaving homelessness, escaping domestic violence, or dealing with financial hardship.
Pickup options depend on the local furniture bank, but this can be a meaningful way to give a second life to furniture you no longer need.
Out of the Closet
Out of the Closet thrift stores are operated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, with proceeds supporting HIV/AIDS healthcare services.
Stores accept a variety of gently used goods, including clothing, furniture, home décor, and household items. Some locations also offer pickup for larger donations.
If you have furniture or a sizable household donation, check your nearest Out of the Closet location to see whether home pickup is available.
Related: 7 Donations That Often End Up in the Trash at Thrift Stores
GreenDrop
GreenDrop works with several nonprofit organizations and provides donation collection services in many areas.
Depending on the location, accepted donations can include clothing, shoes, household goods, toys, electronics, and other gently used items. Home pickup can be scheduled in participating areas, which makes it a convenient option if you have several bags or boxes ready to go.
Before scheduling, check which nonprofit your donation will support and what items are currently being accepted in your area.
World Relief
World Relief assists refugees and immigrant families as they settle into new communities.
Some local offices accept household goods, furniture, clothing, and other items that can help families furnish their homes. Pickup services vary by location, so you’ll need to check with the nearest office before arranging a donation.
A gently used table, dresser, kitchen item, or other household necessity can be especially useful to someone starting over in a new home.
DomesticShelters.org
DomesticShelters.org connects people with domestic violence shelters and programs throughout the country. Individual shelters may have their own donation needs and pickup arrangements.
Furniture, clothing, appliances, and basic household supplies can be useful for families rebuilding their lives after leaving an unsafe home. Some local programs coordinate pickup for larger donations, while others may ask donors to bring items directly to the shelter.
Because each shelter operates independently, contact the specific organization first to find out what it needs and whether pickup is available.
Before scheduling any donation pickup, check the organization’s current list of accepted items, pickup area, and scheduling requirements. A quick call or website visit can save you from moving a heavy piece of furniture twice, or discovering after everything is loaded that the organization can’t accept it.
