Got Old Furniture? How to Give It a Second Life in Calgary

Got an old couch gathering dust that online marketplaces just won't budge? You're not alone. As a Calgary resident recently discovered, rehoming gently used furniture can be tricky, but local charities are stepping up to bridge a critical gap.

Calgary faces a significant affordability crisis, with housing and food costs soaring, stretching household budgets across the city. This has dramatically increased demand for essential services from charities. Organizations like the Women In Need Society (WINS) and the Calgary Drop-In Centre are experiencing their highest demand for furniture in recent memory. WINS alone supports over 120 families weekly, including newcomers, refugees, and those fleeing violence. The Drop-In Centre's Free Goods Program reports "hundreds and hundreds of families" are waiting for furniture, with demand driven by a "massive uptick" in refugees from Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Instead of grappling with furniture disposal challenges, which can be tough in Calgary due to size and logistics, consider donating. The Calgary Drop-In Centre accepts clean, usable furniture and household items for its Free Goods Program, distributing them at no cost to low- and no-income Calgarians. WINS welcomes new and gently-used furniture, including mattresses free of damage, to stock their thrift stores, with revenue directly funding vital community programs.

Both organizations typically have specific drop-off guidelines. WINS may offer pick-up services for large items, though fees might apply, while the Drop-In Centre also offers pick-up for larger items. Donating not only provides a solution for your unwanted items but also embodies Calgary's enduring spirit of giving, directly impacting those most in need.