Do you plan on moving? Well, you probably already know that the process can be incredibly difficult. However, it can be even more difficult if you live in one of LA’s many busy neighborhoods, such as Westwood or Century City. In fact, you will have to work hard to find Los Angeles movers that know the city like the back of their hands. More importantly, they need to be able to handle everything, from packaging to storage, as well as the moving itself.
Now, any mover out there will tell you that you can save money by transporting fewer things into your new home. And it’s highly probable that you have tons of things, both big and small, that you want to get rid of. Your first thought might be to throw them away or sell them off. However, it might be a good idea to, at the very least, give your old and unwanted stuff to the people who might need them.
In this article, you will find out how you can donate old things while moving. Donating them will not only save you transport and packaging money, but they’ll put a smile on the face of someone less fortunate. Really, it’s a win-win for everyone, including the movers.
How to Donate Old Things & Where to Do It
Old Books
Let’s start off with something small. Every home has at least one personal library of different books. Some of them might be new, others might come from your elementary school days. So, instead of throwing them away or dragging them with you, consider donating them to a local library.
If you live in Century City, you can donate your books to either Access Books or Declutter Free. Alternatively, you can donate your old books to the local branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. Reading to Kids also accepts book donations, and it’s a short walk (or drive) from Westwood. By donating to these organizations, you are helping families who don’t have the means of buying the necessary books themselves. More importantly, with all of the shutdowns related to COVID-19, these families have their access to reading material limited further.
Furniture
Some of the largest items you will have to move are pieces of furniture, such as sofas, armchairs, beds, tables, etc. In fact, when you start packing, take inventory and see just how many furniture items are over 10 or 20 years old. You’ll be surprised at the result.
Now, you won’t be giving away all of your furniture, obviously, but getting rid of a single item will save you a lot of space in the moving van. And simply throwing away a sofa or a chair is incredibly wasteful. After all, another home might find a use for it. Someone can even refurbish it or transform it into something else entirely.
So, where do you start if you need to donate furniture? Well, Goodwill is a decent option, and they have three locations in Westwood alone. Furthermore, Goodwill will also accept old clothes and other small household items. Alternatively, you can donate it to Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that has been doing excellent work keeping low-income homes furnished. Finally, you can simply google “household donations” in your local area. However, make sure that the businesses and organizations you find accept large donations. After all, storing furniture takes space and some organizations simply don’t handle anything else but small items or food.
Clothes
Every household has piles of old clothes that nobody wears. In fact, they can pile up and stay in the closet for years before you even think about picking them up. So, it’s no wonder that they can take up a lot of room during the packaging process.
With that in mind, donating them is probably the best option. The first thing you’ll want to do is browse for local thrift stores and see if they accept donations. Both Century City and Westwood are a short drive from the National Council for Jewish Women and the UCLA Health Auxiliary thrift shop. Both of these stores accept old clothes, as long as they are in good condition. Moreover, they will also accept other small household items and furniture.
Aside from NCJW and UCLA, there is also a Discovery Shop of the American Cancer Society located on Overland Avenue. This store will, among other things, accept slightly used clothing. And, of course, let’s not forget Goodwill; as stated earlier, they have three stores in Westwood, and you can donate clothing in either one of them.
Small Household Goods
When we refer to ‘small household goods,’ it usually covers small pieces of furniture such as rugs, stools, carpets, etc. However, it also covers a wide variety of items you can find around the house, such as:
- Kitchenware
- Small household appliances
- Lamps
- Linens
- Bodyweight scales
- Home electronics
- Toys
- Suitcases and bags
- Instruments
- Silverware
- Dishes
- Pet items
Most of the organizations we’ve already listed accept small household items. However, don’t limit yourself to just a few organizations. In fact, try to donate to as many different ones as possible. For instance, if you have some pet items you would like to drop off, there’s an excellent Stray Cat Alliance thrift store in Westwood that will accept them. And the best part is that it’s within walking distance of a nearby Goodwill, as well as the American Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop.
If you plan on donating something a bit pricier than usual, you might want to check out the nearby Children Charities resale store on Sepulveda Boulevard. They cover a wide range of items, from antiques to modern art. So, if you happen to have some paintings or old dinner sets you don’t need, they are your go-to resale store.
Food
The last thing you want to do is drag food around with you, or worse yet, leave it in the old home for the new tenants to find. Food and beverages spoil, so it’s always a good idea to eat and drink what you can and give away the rest. So, when you consider moving, look into your local food banks. Feeding America would be a good place to start browsing for any near Westwood or Century City.
Of course, you can’t just give away any food. Make sure that it’s non-perishable first, i.e. that it’s dried or canned. Moreover, check the expiration dates and the packaging. Nobody wants to eat food or drink a beverage that’s past due, not even people who can’t afford to buy food themselves. Furthermore, the food packaging should be in decent condition. Some dents and bumps are fine, but if you can, only donate the ones whose packages are intact.
Final Thoughts
Both Century City and Westwood have plenty of stores and organizations that would gladly take some of your old stuff off your hands. Therefore, when you plan on moving, do a bit of research on your own. With any luck, your old items will find their way to someone who might desperately need them. On the other hand, you will have fewer things to worry about when you’re moving into your new home.
