Furniture Donation Pick Up

From LoveToKnow Charity

Using furniture donation pick up can save you a lot of time and effort, but in order to maximize the profits for the charity there are some things you should do beforehand.

Donate Furniture to Charity

Serviceable Furniture

It costs charities money to provide furniture donation pick up. Not only do they have to maintain vehicles in order to conduct the pick ups, but they also have to have people on staff who are capable of going out and picking up furniture. If there are no volunteers available for this task then the responsibility falls upon the shoulders of paid employees. The charitable organization must also have the facilities available to store the furniture until it can be moved to its final destination.

For this reason, charities usually only want to pick up furniture that is serviceable. Whether the organization resells donated furniture, gives it to needy families, or uses the furniture within their own facilities, they do not want to go to all the effort of conducting a pick up of the furniture only to have to turn around and send the furniture to the dump.

If your furniture is far too damaged or dirty to be of any use to any organization, do not request a furniture donation pick up. You may find the furniture refused at the pick up by the charity representatives, and this is a big waste of everyone's time and resources. If the furniture can't be used by anyone, don't call a charitable organization out to pick it up. Instead, contact your local waste management office to find out the proper procedures for disposing of furniture items.

Maximize the Furniture's Potential

Before requesting a pick up for furniture by a charity, figure out what you can do to make the furniture as useful to the organization as possible.

Clean up any stains with furniture cleaner.
Make any needed repairs.
Pull together any extras that go along with the furniture, such as extra throw pillows matching a couch.

The more serviceable and attractive the furniture is, the more likely the charity will be able to use it.

Accessible Furniture Donation Pick Up

Find out beforehand what the desired location for pick up is. Is the organization willing to enter your home to collect the furniture, or do they expect you to haul the furniture out to the curb? Some charities are willing to enter a home and collect furniture donations, but before they arrive you should make sure the path is as clear as possible and the furniture is ready. Representatives probably do not want to have to wait for you to move items off the furniture and then carry the piece out a truck while climbing over items scattered on your floor.

Find a Charity

Not all charities conduct furniture pick ups. Some will pick up only certain types of furniture, such as appliances or large pieces of furniture. Contact the charity of your choice to inquire about the availability of furniture pick ups.

Here is a brief list of charities that will pick up furniture donations as long as the resources are available to do so:

Some Goodwill facilities have the capability to pick up furniture in the local area. Check with your nearest Goodwill center to find out if this service is available.
The Salvation Army can pick up furniture in some areas. Call 1-800-728-7825 to find out if this service is available where you live.
Vietnam Veterans of America routinely pick up donated items from contributors, but you should call ahead to notify them of your furniture donation in case they need to make room in the truck.

Don't forget local charities. Organizations that may not normally conduct pick ups of donations may make exceptions if you donate household items they plan to use at their offices or have a specific purpose for.

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