Getting rid of stuff

This past year has been a sort of milestone year in my little circle. So many of us have had to tackle the sad job of clearing out our parents' homes. Our parents all grew up in the Depression and never threw anything out. So once you've finished shredding all those forty-year-old phone bills, what do you do with those rooms full of stuff? If you just want to give it away and want someone to pick it up, here are some places to call. Everything has to be in decent condition, or they won't take it.

• Canadian Diabetes Association

  Free pickup. Clothing, linens, shoes, jewelry, dishes, furniture, small household items, kitchenware, laptops. No large appliances, sofa beds, carpets. Donations are sold at Value Village; some proceeds returned to CDA to fund programs.
  1-800-505-5525
  http://www.diabetes.ca/get-involved/supporting-us/clothesline

• Furniture Bank

  Fee for pickup. Gently used furniture, small appliances, pots and pans. No beds, books, clothing, linens. Donations go to people coming from shelters, refugees, and the abused.
  416-934-1229
  http://www.furniturebank.org/

• Habitat for Humanity

  Free pickup. Kitchen cabinets, sinks, faucets, counter tops, fridges, stoves, cooktops, microwaves, dishwashers, furniture, light fixtures, building materials, doors, windows, flooring, hardware, tools, gardening equipment. Items sold in Habitat's ReStore.
  416-755-7353 x230
  http://www.torontohabitat.ca/restore.html

• Oasis Clothing Bank

  Free pickup. Clothing, dishes, small appliances, small furniture, pots and pans. Some donations given to participants in their addiction recovery program, some sold.
  416-751-0553
  http://www.clothingbank.ca/index.asp

• Ontario Federation for Cerebral Palsy

  Free pickup. Clothes, shoes, bedding, linens, small appliances, small furniture, books, electronics, housewares. No large appliances. Donations are sold at Value Village; some proceeds returned to OFCP to fund programs.
  416-244-0899
  http://www.ofcp.ca/used_clothes.php

• Red Door Family Shelter

  Fee for pickup. Table and chair sets, dining room furniture, chest of drawers, dressers, night tables, coffee tables, end tables, shelving units, desks. Given to families moving out of the shelter.
  416-915-5671 x222
  https://www.reddoorshelter.ca/moving-program

• Salvation Army

  Free pickup for furniture only. Donations sold in their Thrift Stores.
  1-888-333-1229
  http://www.thriftstore.ca/central-ontario/donating-goods

• 1-800-GOT-JUNK

  Fee for pickup. Almost anything.
  1-800-468-5865
  http://www.1800gotjunk.com/ca_en/locations/junk-removal-toronto/