Every spring and summer, when students prepare to move out of their housing, there is often a big challenge of what to do with unwanted items. These items may be in good condition, and could be reused by someone else. The university is partnering with the city of Ann Arbor, local housing providers, and several non-profit organizations to offer efficient and convenient ways for you to donate these items. Take a look at the information below for how you could help.
WHY?
By donating your unwanted stuff, you can help families that were previously unhoused, provide food for fellow students, and reduce your waste to the landfill. Last year, several organizations in Ann Arbor sent about 40 tons of materials for reuse or recycling and helped 511 households with 634 children get set up with furniture and other items in a new home. This helps to build equity and resilience in Ann Arbor by giving your things a new and extended life!
WHAT ITEMS? Furniture, clean mattresses, household items, lamps, electronics, décor, rugs, clothing, nonperishable food, cleaning supplies, and more.
WHEN? Now! Start by making a plan to donate your household items, décor, clothing, nonperishable food, and more using the resources below. Again, this year, many local organizations are participating to give your stuff an extended and new life by helping with collections and getting it to those in need.
As a pilot service being offered for the first time this year, there are services provided by local non-profits like HouseN2Home that are providing curbside pick-up for household items and décor in good usable condition over six days in the area between Oakland Avenue, South Forest Avenue, Hill Street, and Tappan Avenue. HouseN2Home will have clearly marked vehicles and volunteers available to collect your items. HouseN2Home is also collaborating with Oxford Management, Dan’s Houses, several apartment buildings, and most sororities to collect directly from these properties. If the pilot program is successful, we hope to be able to expand the coverage area in the future. For full details visit their campus collection webpage.
Alternatively, JFS (Jewish Family Services) also works closely with vulnerably-housed individuals and families, and are receiving donations of unwanted items. Take a look at this page for more details.
HAVE YOUR OWN CAR?
You can also take your stuff to a non-profit organization for donation! There are also many, many places you can drop-off items such as clothing, furniture, and household goods for reuse. The City’s reuse page has a directory of many organizations and details about the specific items that they accept for donation.
Alongside this, the City of Ann Arbor also offers a drop-off location south of campus at 2000 S. Industrial Highway. Any good, usable items taken to this location will be used by Kiwanis for resale. You can also recycle foam, scrap metal, and cardboard as well as throw away bagged household trash and bulky items yourself. Details on days and hours can be found here.