What is the Moving Program?

Red Door’s Moving Program has been in operation since December 2005. When a family is ready to leave the shelter we are able to move their personal belongings and to provide some of the furniture that they require by linking donated furniture with residents’ needs.

The operation of the Moving Program has meant that families are able to use more of their “start-up monies” for food, clothing and other necessities rather than on their move or buying furniture. With the Moving Program we are able to give our families a jump-start into their new homes and lives.

During the 2008/2009 fiscal year, this program served over 250 families. 96% of the families who required the services of a professional mover were able to use Red Door’s Moving Program instead.

What types of donations are needed?

High priority items being accepted by the Moving Program are:

table and chair sets, dining hutches and sideboards
chests of drawers and dressers, night tables
coffee tables, end tables
shelving units and desks

Currently, we are unable to accept matresses, bed frames, sofa, arm chairs, and sofa beds. Furniture donations must be clean and in excellent condition to be accepted.

Pick-up Guidelines

We pick-up furniture from Bathurst Street to Markham Road in the east and from Lake Ontario north to Lawrence.
Pick-ups have a fee of $25 within these boundaries. This helps to offset the cost of operating and insuring our truck.
Pick ups must be scheduled in advance. There is a 2-3 week average waiting period.
Our driver will accept only items that can be reused as is and has the right to refuse based on condition or storage space.
The Moving Program costs are funded entirely by private donation. Tax receipts are given for donations that are over $20.

We are unable to accept:

Anything that needs to be fixed, washed, or cleaned
Items that are torn, tattered, dirty, stained or have other significant signs of wear such as sagging or
Items that have mold, mildew or bed bugs.

Please note that the cost to make one stop to pick-up furniture averages over $100

How can I make a donation?

To make a donation of furniture please contact Joyce Hsu at 416-915-5671 ext 222.

If you would like to make a financial contribution please visist our Donate Now page or contact our fundraising assistant at 416-915-5671 ext 230 or via e-mail at fundraising@reddoorshelter.ca.

How does the Moving Program work?

First, Red Door Housing workers assist clients in finding accommodation. Then, our Outreach workers assess clients’ furniture needs and pass that information along to our coordinator who arranges the pick up of donated furniture and the delivery to our clients. Finally, our driver is kept busy most evenings and weekends using the Red Door moving truck which was generously donated to us by the Canadian Tire Foundation for Families. Our driver picks up donated furniture and either delivers it directly to a client or stores it for a future move.

The Red Door’s Moving Program is unique among family and women’s shelters and continuance of the program is dependent on donations of furniture as well as fundraising dollars.