Helping with Furniture is a group of Ottawa volunteers who collect gently used furniture that is unwanted and deliver it to refugees living in the Ottawa area. They provide a pick up service every Wednesday night, funded entirely out of the pockets of the people running the program.
Those who have unwanted or unneeded items in their basements or garages should consider making some donations using the form on their website.
I found out about this via Green Living Ottawa.
[Update: 19 July 2009] Let me stress one thing: posting a comment on this post will not lead to your furniture being picked up. I have no affiliation with Helping with Furniture. If you want them to collect something from you, phone them directly at 613-745-1348.
{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
I have an Nestle freezer in good working condition with all the basket also I have a 4 drawers unit, a letaher chair, a TV unit and 4 shelf unit. I don’t want to go in the problem of selling them, I would rather donate them if someone can come pick it up.
You can contact me at work 613-993-5609 or cel 613-204-0555
David
The phone number for Helping With Furniture is 613-745-1348.
They do furniture pickups on Wednesday evenings.
we have abig couch and matching chair in very good condition and a 19 inch t.v. to give away. contact us at 613- 789- 5037
I have a Dining room set c/w 6 chairs, hutch and display case I would like to donate to a needy family. It is apartment size but will expand to seat 6-8. it is in excellent condition. It would need to be picked–location Riverside south.
Once again, please contact the organization directly. I have nothing to do with them.
We have 2 couches to donate. One is a ikea white sofa bed and the other is a 4 people seater sofa. Both in great condition.
Angie,
Please look at the comment directly above yours. I have nothing to do with this organization. You need to call them yourself.
We have furniture we would like to donate.
Please call
613-841-7478
613-894-1155
Thank you!!
People sure don’t read, do they?
Maybe giant red flashing text is the answer – ideally replacing the comment box at the bottom of the page.
I have washer and dryer in good condition
intersted call 613-291-8159
Bring on the big red flashing idiot sign!
I have been emailing commentors with instructions to call Helping with Furniture. I don’t want refugees to miss opportunities to get donations, just because people with furniture to donate don’t pay attention.
I have a chesterfield, glass & brass shelving unit, antique dresser 3 drawers and a wall unit for TV and components.
I would like to donate these articles to a good cause, would it be possible to have them picked up some time this week.
You can contact me at 613-830-6661
Can you close comments on this entry?
Should refugees really be deprived of furniture because people don’t take the time to read?
I will email Virginia directly, as I did with the people above.
This might be my most directly influential blog post ever. Obviously, it gets Google traffic. If a few of the people above really made donations, and would not have otherwise, this post has generated considerable benefit. That is worth the slight hassle of putting commenters in touch with the right people.
I have a loveseat and a lazyboy chair both in good condition that I would like to donate.
And Milan becomes the unwitting co ordinator of charity furniture donations in Ottawa..
What a kind, proactive and patient lad y’are!
Thank you for being so!
Please note that Helping for Furniture is also looking for volunteers and donations.
The organization is run by two women: Nathalie Maione and Buffey Cassidy. They pay “the direct costs to rent space at a small storage facility and pay out of pocket for all vehicles, insurance and fuel expenses.”
we are a refugees an we need all for our home, we dont have anything
if somebody can help us please contact me.
we (me and my 4 years old son) are a refugees and we need all for our home,if somebody can help us please contact me
my phone number is 613 869 6831
Just a reminder to those looking for free furniture, Ottawa has a free give away day on June 6th. So check your area for great bargains. People put there unneeded item out at the curb, check early in the morning.
Good Luck
Will keep in touch with what I have in the coming months.
I have a sectional couch with a hida bed to give away. You must pick it up yourself. If you’re interested call 613-831-8664
This thread makes me feel bad about my species.
This post is really very appreciable.your post is very advantageous for me and very good. Should refugees really be deprived of furniture because people don’t take the time to read? Please look at the comment directly above yours. I have nothing to do with this organization. You need to call them yourself.
==================================
Daniel01
Hi,
I have a couch, chair, tv stand (large with stereo room), plates, cups, dishes that I would like to donate. I have left a message on the answering machine if you would liek to come pick it up that would be great.
Thanks,
Janice
Free 45″ Mitsubishi color TV (internal projection) still in good working condition with compatible Mitsubishi VCR. Call any time 613-737-0724.
Thank you,
Jess
Hi,
I need a desk for my daughter to study on.
so pls if any has one, Just comment and reply
thanks
.
Hi, I currently just moved in to Ottawa. And I am seeking if there was anyone that would be giving away furniture for free.
I have a three year old son with me, and have nothing in my place at the moment. All I have is a temperary bed and serval kitchen items.
But I am seeking a bed , cause my back is not in a very good condition.
I have back problems, and am reguesting a toddler bed as well…
I’m looking for a double or queen size. And would love to have drawers, as you see am in need in alot of things. Please feel free to contact me if you have anything to give away for free… Heres my celluar if you need to contact me. (613) 818-0910 and my email is giny_redrose_wesley@yahoo.com. Thank you very much
– I
I would like to donate the following items for free. If interested please contact me via email.
Matching Coffee and 2 end tables.
Large square coffee table.
27″ tv.
Two 21″ tv’s.
printer, copier, scanner, & fax machine.
VCR
5 disc DVD, CD player
two drip coffee machines
Microwave
Entertainment centre
Hello Cindy,
I do need your Printer,copier and scanner if you still have them please.
Can you contact me on 613 869 6968 pleaseeeeeeeeeeee
I would like to donate the following:
Entertainement unit – Real wood, 3 storage drawers, side panel with glass shelves and stained glass door fits TV up to 42″.
Double Sofa bed – good condition new mattress.
Coffee table
Arm Chair with matching ottoman
Please contact me via email @ monicalavallee@hotmail.com
Thanks
Sorry about my last post, please ignore that!
I have tried calling HELPING WITH FURNITURE and can’t get an answer and the mail box is FULL.
I would love to help but it’s not easy when you can’t reach ANYBODY….
Thanks.
I can understand why you are frustrated.
Helping with Furniture is just a couple of volunteers doing this charitable work in their spare time.
If you cannot reach them, you could try donating your furniture to other organizations, such as the Salvation Army.
I have a nice sofa-bed in good condition that I would like to donate.
It is very comfortable . Caramel color.
window a/c
radios 3 1 boomboxrecorder -writers desk—typewriter ==2 good tv,s = end table==1 fan = lamp==fan—fabric chair hope you get this 521-1924
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I get in touch with you to make an offer of furniture?
You can reach us by phone or by e-mail. On our website, under the heading Donations, click on Furniture Donations. An e-mail link is provided. To reach us by phone, dial 613-745-1348. Please leave us a message indicating your name, phone number, and a brief description of the items you have to offer. Messages are picked up at least once a week by a volunteer, who will return your call or e-mail. If we can accept your offer, you will be added to our list for a pickup.
How long does it take for you to pick up my furniture after you have agreed to accept it?
We do pickups and deliveries once a week, on Wednesday evenings. In general, the following week’s pickup is already scheduled when you contact us. How soon we can pick up your items depends on your location, what you are offering and our needs. You should be prepared to wait two or three weeks.
What if I want to donate to HWF but can’t wait for a pickup?
Consider dropping off your donation at our storage facility. This is our preferred method. When you speak to our volunteer about your donation, indicate that you are prepared to deliver; we will give you the address and do our best to have somebody at our storage at a time that works for both of us.
I know you collect furniture in Ottawa. Do you have any geographic limits?
Yes. At present we only pick up in areas in the map above. As we get larger we will expand but for the present these are the limits. We do not pick up in Quebec.
Do you charge for picking up furniture?
No. But every pickup involves transportation and storage costs for us. We do not charge anything for furnishing homes with the furniture we get. So we do appreciate money donations when we pick up your furniture. We give a tax receipt for all money donations of $10 or over.
Will you pay me or give me a tax receipt for furniture I donate?
No. We cannot do that under the rules of our charitable tax status.
What furniture will you take?
Our needs are subject to change; however the common list of items that we need is as follows:
* Dining room sets
* Night tables and dressers
* Beds
* End tables and coffee tables
* Sofas and loveseats
* Chairs
* Kitchen tables and chairs
* Desks
* Bookcases
What items will you not take?
Large appliances (stoves, refrigerators, washing machines), extra large or heavy items, soft furniture used by animals or smokers, torn or unclean soft furniture. We reserve the right to refuse to take away items that do not meet our standards of condition. The person doing the pickup has the authority to make the final decision on the spot at the time of pickup.
Do you also accept household items?
Yes. We always need lamps. We also accept the following:
* Area rugs
* Dishes and cutlery
* Pots and pans
* Glassware
* Small appliances
* TV’s and microwave ovens (small), radios
* Irons, ironing boards, vacuum cleaners
* Bedding and linens
* Curtains
* Pictures and frames
* Mirrors
* Baby items that meet current regulations
Do I have to prepare items to be picked up?
Furniture must be clean and of a quality that we would take in our own homes. Dishes, linens and small items must be boxed or packed, identified as to contents. Loose pieces of related items (e.g. nuts, bolts, screws of beds, tables with legs, TV’s with remotes) must be tied or taped together. Please have donations ready on the main floor if at all possible.
Do you take mattresses?
If we need them at that time; They must be in good condition, unstained, with accompanying box springs.
Do you pick up on a particular day of the week?
We pick up on Wednesday evenings. All the people who do our work are volunteers so we have to operate on a limited regular basis. Pickups are done between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. You will be given notice at least 48 hours beforehand.
Who can I contact if I have items you don’t take, or if your pickup schedule doesn’t work for me?
The City of Ottawa provides a list of places that will take used items. You can reach them at http://www.ottawa.ca/takeitback. A french version is available at http://www.ottawa.ca/rapportez-les.
hi, please i would need a dinning set i would like to know how i can get it.thanks
Hi
I have a couch & 2 chairs in good condition….camel colour also dishes and kitchen items, cutlery etc
We have a Sauder entertainment unit that could fit into a room corner and a working tv–free for pickup. Please email rbelangr@gmail.com. We are in Barrhaven.
This had to be done, it seems:
They also have email (donations-coordinator@helpingwithfurniture.org) and a website.
THANK YOU FOR DONATING!
I have 2 televisions, 27″ and 29″, in perfect working order in every way. Can’t be bothered trying to sell and would prefer to give them away to somebody in need. Please email at imaputertutor@hotmail.com. We’re in SE Ottawa
I have an office desk, a single bed, and a square coffee table to donate. is it possible for some one to pick up these items.
raman desai
Terrific idea to assist new Canadians & show our generosity. I have furniture items that will greatly help a new family to Ottawa. From a lovely kitchen table, dresser, freezer, air conditioner only used 2 summers, Art, clothing. Being on ODSP due to coronary heart disease along with multi level degenerative disc disease. Due to this , I want to help but I need these items to be picked up. Please contact me asap as I am moving at the end of the month. Contact me at 613 294 6255 call or txt, gmail is jfbenway@gmail.com. Thank you . Let’s get this done , so our new Canadians can have access sooner than later.