What to Look for When Donating Furniture in Maryland

Author: John Spare

Donating your unused clothes or furniture is an admirable and generous way to extend help to your community. Such donations definitely make a difference in the growth of our communities, especially when donations are placed in the right hands. Goodwill is one of the best places to donate your unwanted items. Minimizing your clutter can be a great opportunity to help people in your community find jobs, hone skills and gain valuable training. Veterans, single mothers, military families, and other people with barriers to employment are just some of the possible beneficiaries of your good will.

When donating in Maryland, however, there are things you must remember when donating furniture:

  • As you walk around your home, collect or take note of items that you no longer need. This can be anything from clothes that no longer fit or toys that your children no longer play with. Evaluate their condition and ask if someone else would be able to use these items.
  • When donating furniture, check to see if the piece is in a good working condition, has all pieces and parts intact, and is free from rips, stains or damages. Basically, any item that you think can contribute to help someone else is acceptable, except for items that have been banned, recalled, or do not meet safety standards. Donating specialty items like vehicles and computers are also welcome.
  • A simple furniture or clutter donation can be a great way to help promote job opportunities within your community. By donating, you not only de-clutter your home but also help create job opportunities. As Goodwill sells your items through their nationwide stores or through their online auction sites, the funds/money earned by this process is used to provide job training for those in need.

About the Author:

This article is written by Horizon Goodwill Industries, a leading human service agency and network of non-profit organizations. They serve 17 counties in Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia. Their mission is to help people with special needs and barriers to employment improve their quality of life through work and related services.