17 Places To Donate Your Stuff in Canada Before You Move

It doesn’t matter if you are downsizing or simply looking to purge before you move; you might not feel great about donating your stuff.

However, decluttering before you move is a great way to reduce your workload and lower the cost of hiring movers. 

The less you have to pack and carry, the cheaper your move will be, and the more time you will save when it comes time to unpack at your new home.

Why Donate Before You Move?

Donating your items is a great way to get rid of items you no longer need while helping others.

It enables you to release that extra load. Remember that your donation pile shouldn’t be treated like a dump.

Benefits of Donating Before Relocation

Reduces clutter

Donating stuff helps reduce clutter and create more space in your home, making packing and unpacking easier.

Ensure you only donate gently used items in good condition—avoid giving away trash or broken items.

If something is beyond repair, it’s better not to donate it.

Help those in need

That winter jacket you haven’t worn in a year may not be trendy for you, but it could be a lifesaver for someone in need, especially during harsh Canadian winters.

Help families and individuals in need by giving away your unwanted items.

Environmental Impact

Donating items you no longer need keeps them out of landfills, which helps reduce waste and minimize pollution.

Types of Items To Donate Before Moving

Clothing and Accessories

You haven’t worn that dress in over a year, and it’s unlikely you’ll wear it again.

Consider donating it so someone else can benefit. Many NGOs and charity organizations accept clothing in various sizes. 

Here are a few items under clothing and accessories that you might consider donating:

• Gently used clothes
• Everyday clothing for men and women
• Formal wear, such as suits, dresses, and shoes
• Children’s clothing and uniform
• Women’s footwear, including heels, sandals, and boots
• Accessories such as Jewellery, watches, hats and bags

Household Goods and Kitchen Items

If you don’t want to take your old household goods and kitchen items to your new home, consider donating them instead of discarding them.

Your items could be essential to those moving into a new home or rebuilding after difficulties.

Here are a few furniture items you can donate:

• Cookware, pots and pans
• Utensils and silverware sets
• Bowls, plates, and drinking glasses
• Toasters, blenders, and microwaves
• Storage containers and boxes

Furniture

Many NGOs and donation centers accept furniture in high demand, as it can make a significant difference in people’s lives just starting over in their new homes.

These NGOs and donation centers resell or redistribute the furniture. 

Here are a few items you can consider donating before moving: 

• Bedframes and mattresses
• Armchair, sofas
• Dining Table and Chairs
• Coffee tables, side tables
• Desk and office chairs
• Dressers, wardrobe

Electronics

Electronics in good working conditions can be extremely useful for people who cannot afford to buy new ones. 

Many organizations accept donations of:

• Mobile phones
• TV, radio, and stereos
• Computers, laptops, and tablets

Books and Toys

Donations of books and toys in good condition can be helpful for the kids who cannot afford them. 

You can donate items like: 

• Board games, puzzles, and card games
• Children’s books, novels, and magazines

Where To Donate Furniture Before Move

1. Furniture Bank

Furniture Bank accepts donations of used furniture from the community.

It redistributes it to families facing furniture poverty, women and children who have escaped from abusive environments, and refugees who have come to Canada.

They also refurbish lightly damaged furniture and rescue repairs that would otherwise end up in landfills.

They are the best place to donate your table, chairs, sofa, dressers, bookshelves, kitchen tables, etc. Furniture Bank provides services within the GTA.

2. Habitat For Humanity

Habitat for Humanity accepts donated furniture, including tables, chairs, sofas, and shelves from homes and offices.

When you donate, your items are sold at Habitat ReStores, and the money goes on to help families build affordable homes.

ReStore also stands out because it accepts a variety of other items, such as lighting, bathroom fixtures, windows, doors, flooring, tools, and more.

You can drop off your donations at a ReStore or arrange a free pick-up for larger items.

They are in Studio District, East York, Etobicoke, and North York.

3. Red Door or Family Shelter

Since 1982, Toronto’s Red Door Family Shelter has been helping women and children affected by domestic abuse, families dealing with housing issues, and refugees who can’t return to their home countries.

When families are ready to leave the shelter, they receive basic household furniture to help them start fresh and save money for other essential needs.

Red Door accepts various types of donations, but they especially need items like dressers, kitchen tables, desks, coffee tables, TVs, and dressing tables.

4. JRCC Furniture Depot

JRCC Furniture Depot is a non-profit program in the Greater Toronto Area that offers free furniture to those in need.

They provide essential items like tables, chairs, desks, mattresses, and sofas.

The program has partnered with over 60 social service agencies across Toronto and York Region, assisting new immigrants, individuals with chronic illnesses or disabilities, and survivors of domestic violence.

By providing free furniture, they help these clients rebuild their lives with the basic necessities they require.

5. Just Junk

Just Junk collaborates with local charities such as Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, and the Red Cross to recycle unwanted items through donations.

With locations in Ontario, Alberta, BC, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia, they offer a convenient solution for junk removal and furniture donation, helping you declutter while supporting your community.

Where To Donate Household Goods

6. Elizabeth Fry Society

The Elizabeth Fry Society helps women make positive changes in their lives and avoid legal issues.

It provides programs and services to prevent crime and support personal growth.

The society accepts donations for hygiene kits, including items like soap, toothpaste, brushes, combs, deodorants, lotions, hand sanitizers, and feminine hygiene products.

7. Kidney Foundation of Canada

The Kidney Foundation of Canada aims to conduct kidney research and develop programs that help fight kidney diseases.

It accepts a wide variety of donations, including household goods.

To donate your items, you can schedule a pickup or find the nearest location to drop them off.

They accept clothes, luggage, bags, accessories, textiles, small appliances, sporting goods, toys, books, kitchenware, jewelry, and household tools. 

8. Salvation Army Thrift Stores

Salvation Army thrift stores provide a unique way to give back through retail and recycling, helping to reduce waste in landfills. Their goal is to generate funds to support their mission. They accept various household items, including clothing, electronics, and toys. Donate at any Salvation Army location or schedule pickup services for larger items.

Where To Donate Clothing To Charity

9. New Circles

New Circles is a not-for-profit, grassroots organization dedicated to providing basic necessities, including clothing, to impoverished individuals in Toronto.

They primarily serve Cedar Ridge, Heron Park, Keelesdale Eglinton West, Thorncliffe Park, Flemingdon Park, Victoria Village, Taylor-Massey, and Oakridge residents.

Their GLOW (Gently Loved Outfits to Wear) program offers quality clothing for men, women, and children at no cost, focusing on maternity wear and various sizes.

10. Dress For Success

The goal of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic and financial independence by providing them with the required tools and appropriate work attire for those who are actively looking for jobs, are in the process of making a career change, and want to add more clothes to their work wardrobe. They currently accept blazers, cardigans, tops, pants/trousers, and dresses at their head office by North York Centre.

11. Donation Town

Donation Town is an online resource that helps people donate clothing to charity.

It lists organizations that offer pickup services across Canada, including Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity.

This makes it simple for anyone to donate gently used items and support local causes.

12. Sistering

Founded in 1980, Sistering supports women and gender-diverse individuals in Toronto experiencing poverty.

They help those who have faced abuse, mental health challenges, widowhood, and issues related to prostitution and substance use.

They accept donations of Gently used clothing at their headquarters in Bloor.

Where To Donate Electronics

13. Free Greek Toronto

Free Greek Toronto accepts recycling donations of used electronic items, such as cameras, laptops, computers, mobile phones, and LCD TVs.

If you’d like to donate your unwanted electronics, you can arrange a pickup for a fee that depends on your location.

14. Recycle My Cell

Recycle My Cell accepts donations of unwanted or used mobile devices that can connect to mobile data.

These devices are sent to recycling centers for refurbishment and dismantling, allowing scrap materials to be converted into new phones.

Recycle My Cell has locations throughout the Greater Toronto Area, including Oakville, Burlington, and Mississauga.

Where To Donate Books 

15. Goodwill 

Goodwill accepts donations of hardcover and paperback books for its stores.

If you no longer need any books, you can drop them off at your nearest location, provided they are in decent condition. The donations are then sold in Goodwill thrift stores.

16. Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity accepts donations of used books.

Halton Habitat Mississauga looks explicitly for children’s books, including fiction, history, and biographies.

You can drop off your donations at the nearest ReStore.

Where To Donate Food

17. Food Banks Canada

Donate food before moving. Food Banks Canada aims to help Canadians facing food shortages.

It supports various associations, affiliated food banks, and food agencies that work in the community to eliminate hunger.

Donations of money and non-perishable foods are accepted for those in need. 

Where To Donate By Province

How to Prepare Items For Donation

Every NGO or local charity has guidelines on what to donate and how to prepare the items for donation.

If you have any questions about what they currently need and their preferred donation process, check their website or call them.

This way, you’ll ensure that your items meet their requirements and truly benefit those they serve. 

Here are a few guidelines on how to prepare items for donation:

• Pack similar items together.
• Do not donate broken or torn items
• Remove batteries from toys or any other electronic gadget
• Place books vertically in boxes to prevent them from bending or tearing
• Fold the clothes neatly and keep them in bags and boxes to keep them organized 
• Ensure the boxes are properly labeled.
• If donating food, check the expiration date and make sure the packaging is intact. 
• Wrap furniture in blankets to avoid damage during transport.

Renting a self-storage unit can be great if you need extra space to store items you’re not ready to give up immediately.

You can safely store your belongings in storage units until you’re ready to decide whether to donate or keep them.

When To Start Donating Before Moving?

Start donating the items you don’t need 6-8 weeks before moving.

This will give you enough time to sort your belongings and give you a clear idea of what you need and don’t.

Search for the best places to donate near you, then choose the donation centers where you’d like to donate.

Conclusion

Moving to a new home can be an excellent opportunity to donate things you no longer need and lighten your load.

Donating helps you declutter your space and supports those in need.

That old chair may not be your style anymore, but it could be a perfect fit in someone else’s home, providing them with the comfort they need.

Giving away the things you don’t use can make a difference in someone else’s life and help them create a beautiful home.

FAQ

1. Do NGOs and Charities pick up furniture donations? 

The Salvation Army offers free furniture pickup in Toronto if you donate three or more items.

They accept tables, sofas, shelves, and other working appliances.

The donated furniture is sold at thrift stores to fund their charitable programs.

2. What clothing items should not be donated?

Torn, ripped, damaged, or dirty clothes should not be donated to the donation centers.

Avoid donating items that are old and in poor condition because these items will not be resold.

Instead, recycle or dispose of these clothing.

3. What do charity shops do with clothes they don’t want?

Charity shops send clothes to textile recycling companies, which cannot be sold and are repurposed into other products that use textile fiber. 

4. How do I find a local self-storage near me?

Renting a self-storage unit can be a great solution if you want to declutter your home but are not ready to donate your items.

Let’s Get Moving has one of the best storage facilities across the GTA.

If you live outside the GTA, you can also search for local self-storage rentals to find a facility closer to your location.

5. Where to donate household items in Toronto? 

You can donate household items to charity centers like the Salvation Army, Diabetes Canada, and the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

6. Can I donate large appliances?

Some NGOs and charities accept larger appliances, but to be sure, it’s better to visit their website or call them to confirm in advance.