Where to Donate Unwanted Household & Furniture Items

by Taylor Baker April 15, 2023

Are you in spring cleaning mode?! Instead of taking your household items to goodwill — what if you took it somewhere local that gives back to people in need?

Central Furniture Rescue is a nonprofit organization RIGHT HERE in Cedar Rapids, founded by Susan Johnston in 2019. Central Furniture Rescue is run entirely on volunteers from our community. They take your used, but still quality furniture and household items. These items are then distributed to individuals & families who are transitioning out of homelessness. They are able to furnish homes with everything needed to make a house, a home. Im talking all the way down to lamps & rugs! How. AMAZING.

Don't have anything to part with? They also take monetary donations & obviously LOVE Volunteers!

Last year, they helped over 600 individuals & families.

“Central Furniture Rescue actively recycles, working with city authorities and private organizations to divert as much waste from landfills as possible.”

Donations should be:
-Gently used and new items accepted
-Free of rips, stains, strong odors and/or pet hair
-All items must be clean, fully functioning, have all parts and in good condition

Furniture:
-Sofas and Love Seats
-End Tables and Coffee Tables
-Living room Chairs, recliners, and rockers
-Small to Medium Kitchen Tables and chairs
-Mattresses and Box Springs
-Dressers and night stands
-Bed Frames
-Bunk beds, loft beds
-Cribs – must be manufactured after June of 2011
-Pack and plays

Household:
-Bedding, including comforters, sheets, blankets
-Bath towels, bath rugs and shower curtains
-Area rugs
-Trash cans, laundry baskets, fans, and lamps
-TVs: manufactured in 2010 or newer, 36″ or smaller, free standing (no wall mount), flat panel, must include remote

Kitchenware:
-Bakeware and cookie sheets
-Dishes and silverware
-Drinking glasses
-Kitchen towels and hot pan holders
-Kitchen utensils – including can openers
-Measuring cups and spoons
-Mixing bowls
-Pots and pans
-Storage containers
-Small appliances, including coffee makers, crock pots, microwaves and toasters

How to donate? Their drop off hours are: Monday 10-2pm, Friday 10-2 and last the last Saturday of every month from 9-12PM.

You can also check out their website for more information on picking up donations as well!

Central Furniture Rescue
2275 16th Ave SW  Cedar Rapids, IA 52404