You’ve sold your house and are downsizing, with the help of The Move Makers. There are lots of decisions about what to keep, and what to give to family or friends. But once those decisions are made, what about the items that no longer fit your new space, yet still have value?
Consider donating, recycling, or consigning them through one of Portland’s many non-profits and sustainable organizations. Whether it’s household goods for Community Warehouse, furniture for Habitat for Humanity ReStore, books for the Children’s Book Bank, or electronics for Free Geek, your gently used items can find a second life while supporting a good cause. For those with high-end furniture, art, or jewelry, estate sale experts like A Clean Slate PDX will help your items find a new home. It’s a win-win situation all-around!
Here’s The Move Maker’s list of organizations beyond Goodwill and The Salvation Army that can help with your decluttering projects:
Non-profits that Pick Up Donations in Portland
- Community Warehouse – Accepts household goods and beds in excellent condition (Portland & Tualatin).
- Medical Teams International – Accepts donations of medical supplies and equipment
- ReStore (Habitat for Humanity) – Accepts furniture, appliances, and building materials (Portland & Washington County)
- Super Thrift – Accepts clothing and furniture while giving students vocational training in their stores.
- William Temple House – Provides food, counseling, clothing, and household items to those in need.
Non-profits Accepting Drop-Off Donations
- Deseret Industries – Accepts clothing, furniture, and household goods.
- DO Good Multnomah – Accepts kitchen items, furniture, upholstered items and unstained mattresses, and clean gently used clothing
- Rose Haven – Accepts comfortable clothing & shoes, socks, underwear, personal hygiene items, outdoor gear, backpacks, and luggage
- SnowCap Community Kitchen – Accepts food and kitchen supplies for a local soup kitchen
Consignment Shops for Reselling Items
- A Clean Slate PDX – Specializes in estate sales
- Consignment NW (Beaverton) – Specializes in furniture.
- O’Gallerie (high end art) – Auctions for fine art, furniture, antiques, rugs & carpets, collectibles, and decorative objects.
- Oswego Trading Company (Lake Oswego) – Offers consignment for high-end furniture.
- Upscale Consignment (Gladstone) – Accepts upscale furniture and jewelry.
Book Donations
- Book Corner at Beaverton Library – Sells affordable, gently used books and audio-visual materials.
- Children’s Book Bank – Provides children with books to promote literacy.
- Friends of the Library – Donate books to support local libraries.
Sustainable Donation Options
- Free Geek – Recycles old computers and electronics responsibly.
- James Recycling – Recycles plastics as well as electronics and small appliances
- Scrap – Accepts art and craft supplies for creative reuse.
Ready to start? Explore these great options above. You’ll not only simplify your move, but also make a positive impact in your community. And remember, we’re here to help!
Michael Gettel-Gilmartin comes to The Move Makers with many years experience of caregiving. At university in England, he volunteered to visit seniors in their homes and do their weekly shopping. After teaching English in Japan (where he met his Oregonian wife), he moved to Portland and was a stay-at-home parent—he calls it being ‘a domestic engineer,’—for many years. Most recently, he spent several years employed by a senior living center as an in-home caregiver. Michael is also a writer and has written several (as yet unpublished) novels. In his spare time he likes to hike, read, volunteer at a food pantry, and go to the theater. His motto is “Do everything with a Smile.”