Where to donate furniture?
Kara asks via email:
I'm getting a new couch in a few months and my old one while worn, could still be of use to someone. Are there any local charities that pick up donations of this sort?
There are definitely charities that take furniture donations. But we wonder if charities have different rules for stuff like, say, a table and chairs and upholstered things like couches.
Got a suggestion for Kara? Please share!
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Comments
I know people who have donated furniture to Victory Church and the come to pickup the items. Give them a call - http://www.victoryalbany.com/
... said Shawn on Feb 4, 2015 at 10:51 AM | link
Update September 19, 2017: Addictions Care Center of Albany contacted AOA to let us know that it no longer accepts furniture donations.
At the Addictions Care Center of Albany (www.theacca.net), we are grateful for furniture donations which many times are given to our residents who are moving out of our facility and into homes of their own. In addition, we will pick up the items from you, within local distance (Albany County). The only rules that we have for donating furniture are that the items must be in good condition (no holes, major dents, scratches, etc.), and we require emailed photos of the items prior to accepting and picking up. Also, we do not accept file cabinets or sleep sofas.
... said Francine Sinkoff on Feb 4, 2015 at 11:01 AM | link
Call the Habitat for Humanity Restore
518.275.6638
http://www.habitatcd.org/restore/
A great local resource did a piece about them in 2013.
http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2013/08/29/checking-out-the-new-habitat-restore-on-fuller-rd
... said ned on Feb 4, 2015 at 11:06 AM | link
The Habitat ReStore does just this kind of thing. Call them and they will even come pick it up.
http://www.habitatcd.org/restore/
... said Rebecca on Feb 4, 2015 at 11:52 AM | link
Habitat for Humanity ReStore has a couple locations around the area and picks up large donations!! Schenectady: http://schenectadyhabitat.org/restore/overview/ and Albany: http://www.habitatcd.org/restore/
... said Kaitlyn CM on Feb 4, 2015 at 12:12 PM | link
The Albany or Schenectady ReStore. Proceeds support Habitat for Humanity projects. Call for more info. 518-275-6638
... said Jamie on Feb 4, 2015 at 12:34 PM | link
There are lots of local nonprofits which would be happy to have your couch! The Albany Damien Center, Goodwill and the Salvation Army immediately spring to mind, and you can also search "furniture donation" on www.211neny.org, which will show you all local nonprofits that accept furniture, and what types they accept.
Weird PSA on the subject of furniture donations: an acquaintance of mine recently mentioned to me that she was planning to donate furniture to Goodwill, but was offended that they sold it (rather than giving it to people in need free of charge).
People, it's completely OK that nonprofits sometimes sell your old stuff! In virtually all cases, the profits from those sales provide funding directly for the organization, either through operating support or to make it possible to offer other programs and services for free, or for less than what it costs to run them.
So give freely! (And if you're concerned with a charity's effectiveness/trustworthiness, just check the organization out on Guidestar or the Better Business Bureau.)
... said SiobhanGK on Feb 4, 2015 at 12:45 PM | link
Grace's Closet: https://www.facebook.com/gracesclosetny
Capital City Rescue Mission: http://capitalcityrescuemission.com/get-involved/donate-items/
Freecycle: https://www.freecycle.org/
... said Caitlin on Feb 4, 2015 at 12:51 PM | link
I've donated to Troy Area United Ministries in the past. They'll pick stuff up curbside.
... said Adam on Feb 4, 2015 at 12:54 PM | link
I'd start here - they help people going through emergency situations. http://www.schenectadyhomefurnishings.org/donate_furnishings.html
The Addiction Center of Albany accepts furniture donations
http://www.theacca.net/get-involved/donate
Habitat for Humanity (ReStore) accepts furniture, though I am not sure of their specific rules regarding donations.
http://www.habitat.org/ReStores/donate_goods.aspx
Salvation Army accepts furniture *though they may have rules about it, not sure, I don't support them as they discriminate.*
Goodwill does not accept furniture.
I think the only way to find out about specific rules regarding furniture donations is to make phone calls or research on the internet. Bed bugs are a big issue and have forced many places to refuse furniture donations.
... said xina on Feb 4, 2015 at 12:55 PM | link
Home Furnishings in Schenectady. Here is the link for pick up:
http://www.schenectadyhomefurnishings.org/donate_furnishings.html
... said AKM on Feb 4, 2015 at 1:00 PM | link
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore offers a pickup service for donations. I've had very positive experiences with them in the past.
... said Laura Palmer on Feb 4, 2015 at 1:00 PM | link
If all else fails, try Freecycle
... said ace on Feb 4, 2015 at 2:45 PM | link
I have multiple pets so donating upholstered furniture, even in good condition, is problematic. I used Freecycle to get rid of a sleeper couch and some college students were happy to get it. (I currently use CRFreeStuff for give away items.)
... said chrisck on Feb 4, 2015 at 5:24 PM | link