Donate household items

Your cash donations allow us to continue to serve those who are in need, in our community.  Your donations of new or gently used furniture and accessories help to create clean, comfortable, safe and beautiful spaces.  Below are the kinds of donations we CAN accept:

• Kitchen items (tables, chairs, dishes, gently used pots & pans, cooking utensils, silverware, glassware, microwaves, toasters, can openers, small dish racks)

• Gently used or new furniture (sofas, loveseats, chairs, coffee & side tables, accent tables, small desks, chests, dressers, nightstands, desks, bed frames, high chairs.)

• Table and floor lamps

• New twin, full or queen mattresses and box springs, in original packaging

• New bedding in original packaging

• New bed pillows only, in original packaging

• Bathroom items (toilet tissue, towels, shower curtains, soap dishes, toothbrush holders, trash bin, etc.)

• Decorative accessories (wall decor/artwork, decorative pillows, rugs no larger than 9x12, candle holders, table mats, etc.)

• Curtains (for privacy, opaque panels are preferred)

• Curtain rods

• Area rugs no larger than 9x12 (gently used & clean)

• TVs (flat screen TVs up to 40 in.)

• TV stands

• Book shelves

• Cleaning supplies (brooms and dust pans, all-purpose cleaners, mops and buckets, Swiffer cleaners, sponges, paper towels, vacuums, kitchen trash cans and trash bags)

• Misc. household items (light bulbs, extension cords, night lights, power strips, aluminum foil, sandwich/freezer ziploc bags, scissors, flash lights, three-prong adapters, hangers, and batteries-all sizes)

• Gently used books for all ages

• Arts and craft supplies

• Toys and board games (only by request during the Christmas holiday season)

• First-aid kits

We DO NOT accept:

• Used mattress sets

• Used sheets/bedding

• House paint

• Adjustable beds

• Large appliances (washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, etc.)

• Pullout sofa beds or heavy recliners

• Ceiling fans and hanging light fixtures

• Heavy wall-mounted mirrors or wall decor

• Custom window draperies and custom rods

• Mini or vertical blinds

• Glass furniture or glass table tops

• Large china cabinets, armoires (over 5 ft. tall)

• Large entertainment centers

• Desks (over 4 ft. wide)

• Computers, laptops or tablets

• Printers

• Car seats

• Baby gates

• Cribs

• Exercise equipment

• Clothing

• Food (except through corporate partners)

• Window or portable air conditioners

• We do not accept any item that requires professional installation

If we have available storage space, we would be happy to schedule a furniture donation drop-off time for you, by appointment only or a donation pick-up, for larger furniture items.  Please email us at donations@upwarddesignforlife.org with questions or to schedule an appointment. We will need a minimum of two weeks to plan for a pick-up.

*We do require seeing photos of larger furnishings before arranging to pick them up. Additionally, due to the high cost of gas and truck rentals, we no longer travel more than 20 minutes from our donation center on Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, NY.

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Tell your friends, family and co-workers about volunteer opportunities available to assist with moving, painting and furnishing residences. There's no better way to make an impact than to become an active advocate yourself.  Volunteer now and change a life today!

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