Household goods can stack up quickly, and it is amazing to see what one can end up with over an extended time.
The amount of stuff collected often is apparent once the moving date is approaching.
Heading to a new house is an exciting time, but it can become overwhelming with packing, downsizing, or storage to clear out.
Lightening the load can help support more than just your household; it can filter back into the surrounding community!
Making donations before relocating provides essential needs to individuals and families in the Denver area.
Exploring your options and knowing the best donation centers and specific charities to work with can help you stay organized before transitioning to your next place.
Cultivating a Smooth Moving Process Stars with Decluttering
The plunge into decluttering and downsizing for a move can be challenging.
There are often many rooms to go through and a strict timeline to get things done.
Committing to a large declutter can massively reduce the stress of moving, helping ease the relocation process.
Plus, the more stuff you take with you, the more the process will cost.
Donating and selling those belongings is the best way to get to that final destination with ease.
Donating Before You Move is the Smartest Choice
With or without motivation, it is time to muster up the courage to begin the process. There are better ways to get things started than Procrastination. Instead, opt for getting started as early as possible.
Depending on the size of the home, apartment, or condo you are leaving, giving yourself time throughout 3 to 6 months is a good idea.
This allows Denver residents time to get through everything and avoid that dreaded feeling that overcomes a person when everything needs to happen at once.
For certain items, it may be helpful to resell or consign, but donating things helps to give back to the community you are a part of!
Benefits of Donating in Denver
When moving into a space and opening up a new chapter, there is no better time to leave behind things from the past.
It is also the perfect time to give those items away towards someone else’s future.
No one wants to drag things into a new home that could be weighing you down, and there are a plethora of benefits that come along with donating unwanted items:
- Helping others ultimately benefits everyone involved. It feels good to give an old coffee table to someone who needs it or to free up closet space to provide a Denver shelter with extra clothing. Giving back to those who can and will appreciate the kindness will help to fill up your emotional tank and theirs, too.
- Less clutter is never a bad thing! Living in a cluttered space can tug a person down mentally and emotionally. Plus, it can be a real eye-sore and a source of anxiety. Donating things that no longer have a legitimate use brings satisfaction to the household. Taking advantage of these moments by cutting back on unnecessary household goods will help to declutter the entire place.
- Decreasing those moving costs is easily achieved through donations. When moving with items that you absolutely need or want to keep, the size of the move will decrease dramatically. Sometimes, it is more cost-effective to replace a few pieces of furniture than to cover the expenses of packing and moving them. You can save a whole lot of money when giving away things that are no longer needed.
- Time is the one thing that no one gets enough of. It is essential when preparing for a move, and it is simple to manage that time better when decluttering and donating goods. Getting rid of those things saves the time it would have taken to manage, organize, and pack those items. You will not be stuck hauling them around and unpacking those items on the other side of things, either!
How to Find Donation Centers Near You
Fortunately, there are several local donation options available throughout the Denver metro area.
Locating the right donation center is a key element in getting everything to the right places. There are tons in operation throughout the city that make things simple if you are hoping to drop off, or even have those donations picked up.
A quick internet inquiry can lead you to places that are close by, and there are even map applications that can direct you to a spot that is open when you need it to be.
It is critical to double-check any specifics around donation acceptance and hours of operation before making the trip.
There are websites dedicated to helping Denverites locate donation locations within their neighborhoods.
Websites like donationtown.org and justserve.org can greatly assist with the process.
Denver’s Top Donation Centers
The Mile High City is home to several well-established donation spots, each of which has its own focus and offerings.
Donating items to trusted donation centers in Denver is a fabulous way to lighten the load.
Below are some of the most frequented options:
- Goodwill is a nationally recognized entity for donations. They provide both pick-ups and drop-offs depending on the location nearest you. Goodwill has over 42 locations and ten different donation centers that accept things like furniture, home decor, shoes, clothes, appliances, etc.
- The Salvation Army remains a staple in the United States, with a massive location in Denver. There are other emergency shelter centers located within the metro area and additional services throughout the surrounding suburbs. Their proactive measures with donation centers will accept clothing, furniture, and various household items. They are even available for pick-up when larger items are going towards donation.
- The ARC is best known for being a popular thrift store with low-priced goods available for purchase. They are similar to Goodwill, with a strong presence in Denver and a go-to location for those looking to drop off donations before a local or long-distance move.
- The Denver Rescue Mission is well-known for remaining active in support of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Donations are always welcome to provide additional ways to bolster those in precarious situations. There are six local locations, but it is best to check in with the centers before showing up with your donations.
- Habitat for Humanity is operating to end homelessness by providing housing for low-income individuals and families facing financial challenges. They are capable of taking larger donations that will help to furnish and decorate the homes they build.
- Arapahoe House is an amazing local non-profit organization in Englewood that assists families in need. They will accept donations of clothing, general household goods, and furniture. Their organization is also seeking volunteers to help those seeking recovery and a path forward in their lives. Arapahoe House is now a part of a larger organization, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.
Acceptable and Non-Acceptable Donations
Most donation centers will not accept things that are in good, clean, and reusable condition. Understanding what a center can and cannot accept is crucial in dropping off your donations to a place that can use them.
Only some organizations are going to need or take what you are offering.
It is common for locations to accept the following:
- Gently used clothing items like hats, gloves, coats, pants, and shirts. These items cannot show significant wear, staining, or odors.
- Reusable furniture items like kitchen tables, chairs, or couches. Certain baby items, such as cribs and car seats, cannot be donated under any circumstances.
- Basic household items, kitchenware, appliances, sheets, linens, and decor.
- Some locations will accept televisions, laptops, computers, tablets, and other electronics.
- Gently used toys, games, books, and other forms of entertainment.
Things to Know Before You Go
Before loading up the car and heading off with your donations, you must understand where to go for what and what cannot be accepted.
There are specialty donation centers that are there to help with things like medical equipment, food, or womens clothing.
Then, there are certain things that most organizations cannot accept:
- Badly damaged or broken items. This would include cracked furniture and electronics that no longer work.
- Dirty, stained, or items with significant odors.
- Used mattresses and box springs as they can carry bacteria or bed bugs.
- Recalled toys or items.
- Opened food items, perishable goods, or opened hygiene products.
- Hazardous items, paint, cleaning products, chemicals.
Specialized Donation Opportunities in Denver, CO
In addition to generalized donation centers like Goodwill, certain non-profits are in search of more specific donations.
Plenty of these kinds of places exist throughout Denver, all with their set specialty:
- The Gathering Place is dedicated to supporting women, non-binary, and transgender youth. They are looking for toiletries, hygiene products, health and wellness items, baby or family items, and non-perishable food.
- Project Cure is based in Denver and focused on health products. They are capable of taking unused medical equipment, medical supplies, surgical tools, and personal protective equipment. For more details of what can be accepted, it is best to contact Project Cure representatives.
- The Delores Project is an astounding non-profit shelter for people experiencing homelessness who are suffering from trauma. They are committed to providing help reintegrating back into society for a functional, healthy life. The organization maintains a list of current needs on their website. Those looking to donate will always know what they can accept, as these items can change throughout the year.
- Dress for Success isn’t native to Denver. It is a global organization. Their reach goes far and wide, but when focused on the people of Denver, one can make a positive impact. They accept clothing that helps those in the job market to dress for the position they want!
Eco-Friendly Donation Options to Reduce the Environmental Impact of Your Move
Instead of taking all those unwanted items and dumping them in the trash, you can avoid the landfill for a more sustainable progression.
Colorado is a state that is devoted to reducing its carbon footprint and has remained steadfast in providing options to residents with the opportunity to get involved.
This is a great way to contribute to the cause.
Check out any of the following options for donations:
- Re:Vision is a Latina-led organization that is focused on connecting members of the community. They will upcycle old furniture for reuse, similar to Habitat for Humanity.
- Recycled Cycles is a unique organization looking for used bicycles! If you have a bicycle gathering dust in your garage, Recycled Cycles is the perfect place to donate it.
Denver Local Charities in Need of Support
The Mile High City is home to a diverse and vibrant community of people. Like many cities across the United States, it also faces challenges with homelessness, food security, and healthcare.
With these local charities and their dedicated volunteers, they have been able to give back in a big way.
They remain vital to the community but depend on the generosity of the residents.
You can impact the lives of your neighbors and help strengthen the fabric of the city just by making donations.
Below are some of the top charities in need of support:
- The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless is a large charitable organization that centers its focus on providing access to affordable housing. They create kits depending on the season to provide to those experiencing homelessness. They accept hygiene kits or unused shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, undergarments, lotion, and socks year-round.
- Urban Peak is located on Acoma Street in Denver. They support teenagers and young adults with food, shelter, and housing. Donation drop-offs are limited, but will accept clothing, personal hygiene products, and school and art supplies!
- Food Bank of the Rockies is heard about often and is a great place to provide any unused, non-perishable food items you may not want to pack for the move. They are one of the largest hunger-relief options in the Denver region. The team is providing millions of pounds of food to various food pantries and shelters throughout the metro area.
Planning Donations Can Avoid Last-Minute Stress
With such a wide variety of donation centers to choose from, there is no use in stressing over all the stuff in a home before a big move.
When preparing for relocations or even spring cleaning, planning out donations ahead of time can help to avoid those anxieties and last-minute scrambles.
In Denver, community engagement and sustainability are the cornerstones of value.
Organizing those donations ensures ample time, a lower moving quote, and the ability to participate in giving back.
Donations of clothing, furniture, food, and electronics help to reduce waste and reduce additional things coming along into the new house!
Booking the Right Movers Can Help Too
Once the details of decluttering and donating are complete, searching for local moving companies that are dedicated to helping with a stress-free relocation is the next move. Choosing a professional and reliable company like DTC Movers will not only streamline the logistics of the process but also ease any worries.
Our experienced Denver movers are well-equipped to handle everything to ensure your belongings get to their final destination safely.
Avoid costly mistakes and save your valuable time with our family-owned moving company.
We allow clients to focus on the most important aspects of the move.
Booking our services sets you up for success and a total transition without the stress!
