Where to donate a virtually new mattress?
Elisabeth emails:
[My husband] and I recently ordered a new mattress online...thing is, we're not feeling it and decided to return it.
The company told us "there is no one in your area to donate it to..." so they're going to schedule a 1-800 Got junk pick up. Ugh. I find it hard to believe that no organization will take a practically brand new queen size mattress!
Can you ask the AOA hive mind if they know of an organization that will take it? It has to be a not-for-profit and not a friend of a friend thing as we need to provide proof of the donation.
Charities sometimes have rules about what sorts of items they will take, often because of logistics and sometimes because of concerns about condition. In this case, with one of these foam mattresses that would seem to be relatively easy to inspect, we're guessing some org might be interested.
So, got a suggestion for Elisabeth? Please share!
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Comments
Call RISSE (Refugees and Immigrants Support Services) at 518-621-1041
... said Stacey on Apr 18, 2018 at 3:28 PM | link
Try the interfaith partnership for the homeless. I donated a bed to them a few years ago. But with the bed bug epidemic in the area and the cost of addressing it, I can understand why charities are reluctant to take beds.
... said Laura on Apr 18, 2018 at 3:32 PM | link
I will and can take it, I know of some families in the Arbor Hill community that are in need.
... said Sara on Apr 18, 2018 at 3:35 PM | link
The Treasure Chest on Hamilton in Center Square has taken mattresses in great shape recently. Walter, the manager, has to see it first. Pickup is sometimes possible. Call the store at 518.436.7451, 11-6 weekdays, and get Walter's cell number if he's not there. TC benefits the Albany Damien Center.
... said Devon on Apr 18, 2018 at 6:16 PM | link
@sara—Thanks for your suggestion. Unfortunately, we have to donate the mattress to a not for profit in order to get a refund. Otherwise I’m out a lot of money.
... said Elisabeth on Apr 18, 2018 at 7:31 PM | link
Habitat for Humanity on Fuller Road in Albany or the one on Broadway in Schenectady, a very good cause.
... said ravioliollie on Apr 19, 2018 at 12:12 PM | link
Catholic Charities takes bedding or has in the past. They come and pick it up.
... said SJ on Apr 19, 2018 at 1:19 PM | link
Contact the Homeless and Traveler's Aid Society (HATAS) in Albany. They accept donations at a warehouse on Exchange Street.
... said DSW on Apr 19, 2018 at 1:26 PM | link
Thanks for all of the great suggestions, everyone! I think we found a match.
... said Elisabeth on Apr 19, 2018 at 4:15 PM | link
Came to suggest the HATAS Furniture Bank also. I recently had to donate an online ordered mattress and they were terrific. And they don't sell the stuff to raise money for programs, the stuff goes directly to people who need it.
... said EMB on Apr 20, 2018 at 3:25 PM | link
Elisabeth,
Although our name can sometimes be misleading. We actually donate any mattresses that are in good enough condition. In this case, a brand new mattress would be! If it weren't, THEN we would junk it.
The easy part about calling us is that we'll come pick up your donation for you. Eliminating the extra step of you dropping it off.
It sounds like you have already taken care of the mattress, but at least now you know for the future :)
Here is our mattress disposal page if you wanted to read more about our process for disposing and donating used mattresses:
https://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en/what-we-take/mattress_disposal
... said Haley Kieser on Apr 27, 2018 at 1:29 PM | link
Haley--
Yes, your name is misleading...but thanks for the info. Good to know.
Elisabeth
... said Elisabeth on May 1, 2018 at 11:57 AM | link
I see you found a match, but wanted to add to this for people who search in the future. We’ve used TAUM for this exact purpose. It’s a non-profit out of Troy. They come and pick up your mattress (and any other furniture) and donate it to families — typically women and children — who are getting settled after breaking free from a domestic abuse situation.
They’re wonderful and are always desperately in need of beds, most of all.
... said kristi on Jul 24, 2018 at 6:13 AM | link
I have a split twin futon matress, also essentially new. Any thoughts on who might take this?
Thanks
... said Althea on Aug 9, 2018 at 6:29 PM | link
I would suggest donating any furniture to HATAS, http://hatas.org they help people in need, and especially (I believe) women & children from abused families, allowing them to move into new places to live, and giving them furniture and means to build new lives.
... said ken on Aug 11, 2018 at 5:32 AM | link