Donate a Refrigerator to Charity
If you're looking to donate a used refrigerator, you may find it to be a bit of a challenge. Not only are refrigerators bulky to move yourself, but many charities are interested in its intrinsic value as a recycled unit, not in the refrigerator itself. However, you can use the power of the Internet to find your old refrigerator a good home.
Instructions
1. Call the Salvation Army (see Resources below). They will accept appliances, including refrigerators, air conditioners, stoves and so forth. Their site also includes a guide to the potential tax values you can claim for the donation.
2. Try Habitat for Humanity (see Resources below). As an organization dedicated to providing housing at low cost, used appliances are always welcome, as long as they're in good working order. Their site includes local chapter information so that you can contact your local group to see what appliance needs they have.
3. Watch for a local "ecycle" event. Many charitable organizations run ecycle events to rid the local community of used electronics and appliances that might otherwise end in a landfill. The money raised by stripping copper wiring and the like is typically split between the ecycle organizer and the charitable organization that supplies the labor at pick up. These funds are then used by the organization for their charitable efforts.
4. Check out ARCA. The Appliance Recycling Centers of America is a service dedicated to environmentally responsible recycling of old appliances. Typically, they work with your local utility to recycle old appliances. Their website includes a list of territories where these services are offered (see Resources below).
5. Check out the Freecycle Network. This grassroots organization operates by connecting those who have with those who need. Use the link in Resources below to find a group close to your home. Once you've found the group, you can subscribe to their Yahoo! email group, post the refrigerator as available and wait to be contacted for a pickup. Be aware that this donation may not go to a charity group, though, as you're posting to all those who subscribe, which includes individuals as well as nonprofits.
Tags: Resources below, Donate Refrigerator, Donate Refrigerator Charity, Refrigerator Charity, Their site, your local
