Charities Take Used Furniture

From LoveToKnow Charity

Anyone who has ever visited a charity thrift store, like the Salvation Army or Goodwill, recognizes that charities take used furniture. However, few people really understand how the process works and how donating used furniture can help a community in so many ways.

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Why Charities Take Used Furniture

There are a number of ways that used furniture can help non-profit charities assist those in need. Community organizations make use of used furniture donations in the following ways:

Resell the furniture and donate the proceeds to those in need, or to charities that help the poor.
Directly provide gently used furniture to help the poor as well as disaster victims.
Provide used furniture and equipment to support the operation of non-profit charities.

Generous individuals and corporations from around the country donate many thousands of pieces of furniture and supplies to non-profit charities. Still, every year there is a shortage of funds and supplies to help those who are most in need. In order to recognize those organizations that continue to help collect, resell or redistribute donated furniture, the following stories provide examples of the tremendous generosity of some individuals and organizations.

When Floods Destroy Furniture

In December of 2008, the Catholic Charities of Paterson, New Jersey, organized a large furniture "give-away" to households that were destroyed by flooding from the April storms of 2008. Most families in the area had their homes partially destroyed by flooding that filled basements and first floors of many buildings. While the homes could be cleaned and repaired, the flooding destroyed entire collections of furniture and family possessions. This Paterson charity helped organize the countless donations that flowed in from area donors, and provided a new start to the poorest families hit the hardest by the flooding, and who couldn't afford to refurnish their homes.

The IBM "Gifts in Kind" Program

Every year, IBM and the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast provide area non-profit organizations with a gift of brand new computer technology, office furniture, and supplies at no cost. The program, called the "Gifts in Kind" program, is part of a 1992 IBM technology grant program that has already donated over 500 computers worth over a million dollars to area organizations. In 2007, 27 organizations received the donated resources from IBM. The Gifts in Kind program is an excellent example of perfect corporate community involvement and charity.

Princeton University's Annual Furniture Drive

Each year, at colleges all across the country, students move in and out of dormitories and often throw away furniture and supplies. Princeton University developed a wonderful recycling program that offers departing students the option to donate furniture, bikes, clothing, books, or even food, in order to help local charities. University volunteers collect donations of furniture and supplies and then either resell them or donate them directly to local charities. The profits of all sales also go to local charities. Princeton leads the way for other Universities around the nation to follow in order to reduce waste during student moves, and instead to tremendously help the charities in surrounding communities.

My Brother's Keeper

My Brother's Keeper is a Christian organization in Easton, Massachusetts, where volunteers accept donations of high-quality furniture and food, and delivers those supplies for free to members of the community who are in most need of assistance. The mission of this organization is "to life people up, help them feel special, and let them know they are loved." Organizations like these exist across the entire country, and they are ready to serve as the "middle-man" in order to make sure your used furniture gets put to its greatest use. All you need to do is call.

How to Donate Your Furniture

If you are interested in donating your furniture to help your local community, the best approach is to contact your local United Way. Or, if there is a Goodwill or Salvation Army in your area, they can also help you determine how your gently used furniture can be put to the best use. Whatever you do, never throw your furniture in the dump where it will only get buried or burned, and added to the rest of the nation's ever-growing landfill problem.

United Way: Searching the United Way website for "furniture" returns a list of fundraising and other non-profit opportunities where you can donate your furniture to help your local community.

Salvation Army: The Salvation Army provides a free pick up of high quality furniture by calling 1-800-95-TRUCK. Or you can drop off your furniture at a local drop off center listed on the website. You can also donate a car, truck, RV or boat to the Salvation Army, and receive a tax break in the process!

Goodwill: Goodwill has perfected the art of reselling items and donating the proceeds to local charities. Goodwill accepts clothing, appliances and furniture, and then resells those products at one of the thousands of retail stores across the country. Goodwill focuses its proceeds on charities that help fund job training and career services to help disadvantaged families get back on their feet. Goodwill guarantees that at least 84 percent of all revenues are used to fund employment and training programs. This makes Goodwill one of the best organizations to donate your furniture to.