Reuse for Refugees

Low-cost pick-ups of
high-need furniture items.

What is Reuse for Refugees?

We want to make furniture donations accessible so that quality pieces can be saved from the curb or the dump and go to homes in need. So, we’ve committed to offering significantly reduced rates for furniture pick-up of home staples in high demand among recently placed refugees and asylees throughout New York City.

  • We deliver all accepted donations to Ruth’s Refuge, a 501(c)(3), to be stored and cataloged. Their recently resettled clients will then be able to “shop” your donations for free via an online platform and furnish their new homes here in New York City.

  • For pickups local to our warehouse, the Reuse for Refugees rate is only $65 per piece + $10 / flight of stairs at the pick-up location. You’ll save a minimum of $100 on our everyday rates for furniture delivery and disposal.

  • Everything except gratuity. Though we are charging a reduced rate and our teams are paid hourly, we hope you’ll be kind to our movers who are working hard to protect and transport your donations.

  • Ruth’s Refuge is a 501c3 and will issue a donation receipt for your taxes within 14 days of the pick-up.

Of the hundreds of refugees and asylum-seekers who come to New York City each year, many are without basic furnishings such as beds and chairs. Even after arriving and securing an apartment, many families are unable to invest in furniture and other home goods, often sleeping on the floor, as they work to pay off debts and establish a new life. In partnership with Ruth’s Refuge, the only organization in the city dedicated to providing the building blocks of a new home for refugees, we are diverting your gently used pieces to unfurnished homes. Furniture pick-ups of accepted donations of one or two, high-need items are eligible for significantly reduced pricing.

  • WHAT ITEMS WILL YOU PICK-UP?

    The Reuse for Refugees drive is focused on Ruth’s Refuge’s current high-need items; sofas, dressers, dining sets, and rugs. If you have any of those items, you can request to donate smaller pieces as well.

  • HOW MANY ITEMS CAN I DONATE?

    We’re able to pick up two (2) furniture pieces per household at our Reuse for Refugees rate. Have more to give? You can still use the form to request a pick-up at our usual rates.

  • WHAT TIME WILL YOU PICK UP MY FURNITURE?

    We’ll offer you a few options at our discounted Reuse for Refugees rate. Or, you can book outside of those windows at our normal rate.

  • CAN I DONATE SOMETHING IF IT’S DAMAGED?

    Ruth’s Refuge is seeking like-new, gently used furnishings for displaced individuals and families building a new life here in NYC. If you have something to dispose of, we can help with that.

  • CAN I ARRANGE MY OWN DELIVERY TO RUTH’S REFUGE?

    Yes, you can contact info@ruthsrefuge.org to schedule a drop-off at their storage in Gowanus, Brooklyn or inquire about donating items not listed here.

  • WHY ISN’T THIS SERVICE FREE?

    While we donate services to Ruth’s Refuge and other community partners as often as we can, the last two years have made it even more challenging to do that as an NYC small business. Still, we want to do what we can to make donation services more accessible and divert more furniture to waiting homes. The Salvation Army, Big Reuse and Goodwill offer free pick-up services for some items.

Cool Hand Movers on the Job with the Ruth’s Refuge Team

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Best Moving Company in NYC - See the Reviews

“The Cool Hand Movers team were nothing less than perfectly professional on task business people. I read another review that expressed exactly how I feel in this instant. If I ever need movers again, I will certainly call Cool Hand Movers.”

— Keyona K. / Google / February 2022 / ★★★★★

“Moving is always a pain, but these movers made it as painless as possible! Communication was always very clear through the process of getting a quote. The crew was friendly, professional, efficient, and good-humored—from wrapping furniture neatly and securely, to carrying endless bins of books up the stairs.”

— Katherine N. / Google / January 2022 / ★★★★★