Whether you’re downsizing, moving or just doing some spring cleaning in your home, you might be wondering where to donate used furniture, appliances, clothing and other items. There are a number of charities, nonprofits and other organizations across the GTA which are the perfect spot to donate to when you’re downsizing. Some of these organizations offer free home pickup for furniture, appliances and other things you may be looking to donate to charity.
Donate to Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity locations across the GTA are great options to donate to when you’re downsizing or moving. Habitat accepts donations of a wide variety of items, including couches, arm chairs, dining sets, flooring, windows, doors, appliances and more. Habitat sells donated items in its ReStores, social enterprise and warehouse outlets for up to 70 per cent of their original value.
Habitat also offers a free home pickup service for furniture and other items, meaning you can schedule a donation pickup from the comfort of your own couch. You can find a full list of accepted donation items on the Habitat ReStore website, and schedule your free furniture pickup online by following this link, emailing pickup@habitathm.ca or calling (905) 828-0987 ext. 427.
If you’d prefer to drop off your items in a ReStore, that’s also an option! Habitat also has clothing donation boxes located in its ReStore parking lots, allowing you to donate used clothing in addition to any other items you’re dropping off.
You will receive a tax receipt for donations of over $100. Proceeds from sales in Habitat’s ReStores go towards efforts to build safe, decent and affordable housing for local families in need of a place to call home.
Habitat for Humanity Halton-Mississauga represents Burlington, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills and Georgetown. Habitat for Humanity GTA serves Brampton, Caledon, Toronto, Scarborough and the region of York. Habitat Durham represents Ajax Oshawa and Uxbridge, and Habitat Hamilton serves the region of Hamilton. To find your closest Habitat ReStore, check out Habitat for Humanity Canada’s ReStore locator.
Donate to the Salvation Army
The Salvation Army also accepts donations of gently used clothing, textiles, housewares, furniture, electronics, books and accessories. These donated items are sold in Salvation Army Thrift Stores, including several across Central Ontario. Funds from sales in the Thrift Stores go towards supporting the Salvation Army’s community programming, community services and emergency relief efforts. You can learn more about how to donate used furniture and other items to the Salvation Army by following this link to their website.
Donate to Furniture Bank Mississauga
The Mississauga Furniture Bank is currently looking for dining table and chair sets, and accepts a variety of items including sofas, couches, chairs, ottomans, shelving and storage units, dressers, desks, mattresses, bed frames, headboards, electronics, household appliances, lamps and mirrors.
They will pick up donations for a small fee within the areas of Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington and Milton. Items can also be dropped off at a Furniture Bank warehouse. Tax receipts are issued for donations, and you can book your pickup online by following this link.
Donated furniture is kept in the Furniture Bank warehouse and given to clients referred by social service agencies. The furniture may end up going to women and children fleeing an abusive relationship, senior citizens, disaster victims or other people in need in local communities. To learn more, visit the Mississauga Furniture Bank’s website.
Donate to Diabetes Canada
Diabetes Canada does not accept large furniture and appliances, but they do look for donations of gently used clothing, electronics and small household items. More specifically, Diabetes Canada accepts donations of kitchenware, including small household appliances, cookware and cutlery, home decor, small electronics, toys, luggage and hand tools, as well as textiles, including all types of clothing, shoes and boots, accessories, bags and general cloth items such as bedding and bath items. A full list of accepted items is available online.
You can book a home pickup with Diabetes Canada through filling out a form on their website or calling 1 (800) 505-5525. They also have donation boxes across the country, and you can locate the drop box closest to you through their website.
Donated items are sold to Value Village, and then put up for sale in their retail stores. Funds from the initial sale of items to Value Village are combined nationally, and then split between local branches of Diabetes Canada, which used the money to run service activities in their communities.
Dispose of items with 1-800-GOT-JUNK
1-800-GOT-JUNK can pick up and dispose of appliances, mattresses, televisions, refrigerators, carpeting, hot tubs, furniture, electronics and bicycles. While not a charity, Got Junk will donate items that are in good condition to local organizations who will use them. Items which are not donated will be recycled. You can find your closest location and schedule a home pickup online through Got Junk’s website.
Downsizing? Make your donation today
Decluttering has a host of benefits. It helps you live a more minimalist lifestyle, simplifying your surroundings. Re-using your old or unwanted items also helps the environment, since you’re preventing items from being recycled or thrown in a landfill. Diverting waste therefore helps the environment, making donating a green decision.
Donating your items to charity is also a socially-conscious decision because your donations can directly help that organization’s efforts to do good work in your local community. This could be a variety of causes from community programming, affordable housing, medical research and helping others in need.
You can feel good about donating used furniture, appliances or other items to a non-profit, because your items will translate into important work for your neighbours and other people in your community. It’s a win-win situation — you get to declutter and help to make a difference at the same time!
Downsizing, moving or just cleaning up doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. You can find a new home for your unwanted appliances, furniture and other items at any of the organizations listed above. Why wait? Donate today, and let an organization take your unwanted items off your hands.