Moving is a bit like spring cleaning turned up a notch. It’s your chance to have a fresh start, a lighter home and space for what truly matters. Whether you’re trading your Swillburg walk-up for a new spot closer to Highland Park or relocating out toward the suburbs, one thing’s for sure — moving is the perfect opportunity to donate things you no longer need.
Explore places to donate items in Rochester, NY, and how to make the most of your giving so your move feels smoother and more meaningful.
Before you pack a single box, take a good look around. Everything you donate now is one less thing you’ll have to wrap, haul and unpack later. Decluttering before your move isn’t just about saving space on the truck. It’s about saving money, time and energy. Fewer boxes mean lower moving costs and less time spent labeling, stacking and sorting.
Plus, when you arrive at your new home, you’ll be greeted by only the items you love and use. That means no mystery bins or forgotten “someday” projects that just add to the physical and mental clutter.
There’s also the feel-good factor. Donating gently used items helps local families and community organizations while reducing waste. You’re simplifying your move and helping others furnish their homes, find clothing for work or stock up on essentials. It’s a win-win for everyone.
Rochester has no shortage of incredible donation spots, from large national nonprofits to homegrown local heroes. Each one has its own specialty, including furniture, clothing or niche items you’d never think to donate but absolutely can.
Let’s break it down by category so you can easily match your donations with the right destination.
If you’ve got furniture that still has life left in it, working appliances or home improvement materials collecting dust, Habitat for Humanity ReStore is your go-to. This nonprofit sells donated items at affordable prices to support Habitat’s mission of keeping usable items out of landfills and building affordable housing in the community.
You can drop off donations at your closest ReStore location or, if you’re parting with bulkier items, schedule a free pickup online. Just make sure everything’s in clean, working condition.
The Salvation Army’s Rochester branches also gladly accept furniture, home goods and small appliances. Your donations help fund programs like shelter, rehabilitation and family support. You can schedule a pickup and they’ll handle the rest — one more thing you can check off your moving to-do list.
Not everything you want to donate needs a truck. If you’re sorting through closets or playrooms, these Rochester-area organizations are happy to accept your gently used items:
Donating your extras to these local charities in Rochester turns your move into a way to strengthen the community around you.
Sometimes, you come across items that don’t quite fit into a typical donation pile. Think home decor, collectibles or unused greeting cards. For these items and more, A Second Thought Resale Shop is the perfect organization. Operated by its volunteers, this gem supports local and international outreach programs for people with disabilities. The best part? You can shop there too, so don’t be surprised if you find a treasure or two while dropping off your own.
Even the most generous decluttering session will uncover a few things that can’t go to charity, like old electronics, expired cleaning supplies or that mysterious box of cords no one can identify. For these items, Monroe County’s ecopark is your best friend. This facility offers a convenient way to dispose of electronics, batteries, chemicals and other tricky items. Check its website for hours and accepted materials before you go.
Other items, like worn-out furniture or damaged textiles, may simply need to be discarded. Before tossing anything, double-check local recycling guidelines. Rochester’s Residential Recycling program offers convenient curbside collection and helps ensure materials are handled responsibly.
These items once served you well, and now they get to serve someone else. Here are a few small steps that can make your donations go further:
Once your home is decluttered and your donations are dropped off, it’s time to think about the move itself. A trusted moving partner can handle the details so you can focus on settling into your new space.
At Corrigan Moving Systems, we’ve been helping Rochester residents relocate for more than 95 years, with craftsmanship, care and plenty of smiles along the way. Our team specializes in professional packing, local and long-distance moving, secure storage solutions and more.
Whether you’re heading out of state or moving across town, we make the process smooth and organized.
By decluttering and donating before your move, you’re lightening your load, helping your community and setting the tone for a fresh start in your new home.
Once your boxes are filled with only the things that serve you, the next step is finding the right team to get them safely to your new place.
Partner with Corrigan Moving Systems to help you start your next chapter. Contact us today to schedule your free in-home or virtual consultation.
