How to Declutter and Donate When Moving Across Country

Hall Lane Moving and Storage is here to offer advice on how to declutter and where to donate old possessions when moving across country

Whether you are moving down the street or moving cross country, it always helps to declutter and get rid of old things. Decluttering saves you time on packing and also can reduce the total cost of the move. However, instead of purging and just throwing things away, consider donating your old possessions to people who need them. There are plenty of charities and donation centers that will take old items off your hands. Here are some of the best places to donate and declutter before moving across country.

Local Libraries

If you have some boxes of old books, consider donating them to a local library. Most libraries will also accept CDs, DVDs, and even VHS tapes so you can donate those too. Moreover, libraries use the revenue from book donations to fund library and community events that all people can enjoy.

Habitat for Humanity

If you have unused household goods such as furniture, appliances, building materials or accessories, you can donate to a local Habitat for Humanity chapter. Habitat for Humanity locations exist all over the country and most of them will come pick up large items from you.

Dress for Success

If you have any old professional clothing, you can donate to Dress for Success, a company that provides professional clothing to low-income women for job interviews. Dress for success will not come pick up your donation, but they have several drop off points around the country and you can ship your clothing to them. Career Gear is a similar organization aimed at low-income men and places like Savers or Goodwill also accept clothing donations.

Food Pantries

As a general rule of thumb, you shouldn’t ever pack food when moving across country. Any non-perishable food items you no longer need can be donated to a food pantry. Items you can donate include canned beans, tuna, oats, dry rice, canned fruits and vegetables, and canned soups. Some food pantries also accept pet food and pet treats. You can visit Feeding America to locate a nearby food pantry.

If you are planning on moving across country or are looking for other moving or storage services, feel free to give Hall Lane a call at  631-734-0212 or contact us on our website to schedule a free quote.