Written by: Brooke Weatherford
Here at
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of
Greater Lansing, one of our
Core Values is to give back to our community, and we have found that our customers often seek to do
the same. Moving often provides the ideal time to de-clutter your
space of old or unwanted items. Six to eight weeks before your move, go through every room of your house and decide what you'd like to keep and what you can get rid of. While
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®
cannot take these items off your hands for you, we can help you give back to the community by providing you with the
right tools and information to easily give that outdated couch or old
piano to someone less fortunate. Ask any
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Move Consultant or Mover for a list of recommended
donation centers, and they will provide you with a flyer about our five
favorite charity donation centers, and how you can quickly and easily
donate your unwanted items and help someone else in the process. Here
are five donation centers we recommend:
Habitat for Humanity Restore: Habitat for Humanity ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores and
donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, home
accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a
fraction of the retail price. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are proudly
owned and operated by local Habitat for Humanity affiliates, and
proceeds are used to build homes, community, and hope locally and around
the world. There are two locations in the Lansing area; one in

Haslett
(517-999-0488) and another in Lansing (517-374-6235). Habitat offers a direct phone number you can call to arrange for items to be
picked up (517-575-8152). To
see a complete list of acceptable items visit
http://www.habitat.org/restores/.
Volunteers of America: Volunteers of America is a national, non-profit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need rebuild their lives and reach their full potential. The local Volunteers of America accepts items such as
small appliances, furniture, bikes and toys, dishes, computers,
wheelchairs and much more. To arrange to have your donated items picked up, call 1-866-333-8281. Visit
http://www.voami.org/Give-a-Gift/in-Kind-Donations to see a full list of acceptable items and to find a location close to you.
St. Vincent’s Catholic Charities:
Lansing partners with St. Vincent’s every summer for an event
that collects school supplies for less fortunate. Operation
Backpack begins in late July and runs through mid-August. Anyone interested in contributing may drop off school supplies and backpacks at our
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®
location, or one of the other drop-off centers, to help these kids get
the tools they need to do their best in the upcoming school year.
In
addition to school supplies for Operation backpack, St. Vincent’s
Catholic Charities regularly accepts items such as furniture, bikes,
linens, pre-paid cell phones, car seats and booster seats, and many
other items. To see a full list, visit
http://www.stvcc.org and click on the “Ways to Give” tab, or call them at 517-323-4734, ext. 1050.
Hidden Treasures: Lansing Christian School's
Hidden Treasures Thrift Store is Lansing’s largest upscale thrift store. Hidden Treasures
accepts things like small appliances, furniture, toys, wedding and prom
dresses, books CDs and movies, gently used linens and other things. You
can contact Hidden Treasures at 517-708-3300 or visit them online at
http://www.shophiddentreasures.com/donations.htm to find out more information.
Lansing City Rescue Mission Thrift Store:
The City Rescue Mission provides food, shelter, and hope to women, children, and men in Michigan's capital area. When you give to or shop at the thrift store, you help the Mission provide "rescue" to the many women, children, and men who utilize their services. Funds from the store also enable them to meet operational needs and purchase specific items that are needed but not often donated. They accept small appliances,
furniture, dishes, toys, rugs, curtains, and many other items. Contact
the City Rescue Mission at 517-203-5190 or visit
http://www.bearescuer.com/BEaRESCUERthrift/help.htm.
So, as you are packing up your home for your move with
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® of Greater Lansing and decide you don’t want that old couch, or your college-age son’s childhood booster seat, remember how
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®
gives back to the community and makes it easy for you to do the same.
Giving away your old stuff not only helps you de-clutter, but it may
provide someone less fortunate with a comfortable place to sit, a safe
ride for their child, or even more important…. hope for a better future.