Ottawa Helps

Ottawa Helps

"Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" - Martin Luther King Jr.

What We Do
Many of our neighbours are fleeing unimaginable violence. In the process, they've lost almost everything. The future seems bleak. With your help, they can begin to pick up the pieces to start again. One important way is to help them furnish their new home. Through this website, we connect generous donors with local charities to ensure gently-used household items can find a new home.
Do you want to donate something?

We offer gently used household items to individuals and families that might need them. In the process, we value and respect dignity as well as generosity.


Accepted Bedroom Items

  • Single/twin mattresses in mint condition less than 10 years old; double, queen and king mattresses in mint condition less than 5 years old. Photos must be provided for preliminary assessment of acceptance. The ultimate decision to accept mattresses is made at the warehouse. All mattresses should be dropped off or ready for collection wrapped in a plastic bag or mattress protector for protection during transportation. Mattresses must be completely free of stains.
  • Bed Frames – simple assembly
  • Bunk bed (simple to assemble)
  • Dressers
  • Night tables
  • Bedroom linens (bed sheets, blankets and bed spread, including crib linens) - Please indicate size.
  • We DO NOT accept: items with missing parts, odd shape beds; foldaway beds; beds/mattresses with stains or tears

Accepted Living Room Items

  • Sofas and loveseats (under width 7’)
  • Living room armchairs
  • End tables
  • Coffee tables (if square no larger than 3’ X 3’)
  • Lamps
  • We DO NOT accept: TV units, wall units, or entertainment units; sofas over width 7’,odd living room chairs; ceiling light fixtures or hanging light fixtures; large china cabinets

    • Accepted Kitchen and Dining Items

    • Kitchen and dining room tables (under width 5' with leaf out)
    • Kitchen and dining room chairs (only sets of 2 chairs or more)
    • Microwave stands
    • Dishes, glasses, kitchen utensils, cookware
    • Kitchen linens
    • Small kitchen appliances
    • We DO NOT accept: stools; large dining room sets; dishware with chips, cracks and badly scratched; plastic dishware (except for children dishes)

    Accepted Bathroom Items

    • Bathroom items (towels, shower curtains, bath mat)
    • We DO NOT accept: Any items that are stained and not in good condition

    Accepted Children Items

    • Kids books all languages
    • Toys (clean, not battery operated or with brand new batteries) & complete sets)
    • Baby equipment (strollers, baby seats, toys)
    • Change tables
    • We DO NOT accept: car seats

    Accepted Office Furniture

    • Desks (under width 3’ and depth 20”)
    • Desk lamps
    • Office chairs
    • Bookshelves (under width 3’ and shelf depth 14”)
    • We DO NOT accept: large or L shape desks; hanging bookcases; bookcases requiring complicated assembly; any unit taller than 6’ and over width 3’; printer tables; office furniture items that are oversized or excessively heavy

    Accepted Electric and Electronic Items

    • Laptops less than 5 yrs old
    • Flat screen TVs
    • Microwaves
    • Clock radios
    • Laser printers
    • Recent smartphones
    • Recent tablets
    • We do not accept: stereos, speakers, VCR players, inkjet printers and telephones; console, floor model and tube style TVs; large appliances like stoves, fridges, dishwashers, washers & dryers

    Accepted Miscellaneous Household Items

    • Irons and ironing boards
    • Garbage cans
    • Laundry baskets
    • Clothes dryers
    • Shopping carts
    • Vacuum cleaners
    • Framed Artwork
    • Area rugs (no larger than 10' X 8')
    • Entrance mat, bedside mat, boot tray
    • Shoe rack
    • Fans
    • Rod pocket curtains and pocket curtains rods
    • Outdoor furniture (table for 4 or 2 persons, lawn chairs)
    • Tools (drills, hammers, etc)
    • We DO NOT accept: BBQ; bathroom medicine cabinets or bathroom shelving that requires hanging; blinds or curtain rods with cords
Does your charity need something?
As a registered charity, your work is the cornerstone of helping others. Please tell us a little about the work you do. Be sure to include your Canadian Charity registration number and contact information.
Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get in touch with you to give furniture?

After verifying the items we take and don’t take, you can drop them off at our warehouse, 1455 Michael Street, Unit 3 in Ottawa, Wednesdays from 6 pm to 9 pm and Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm. You no longer need an appointment. You can also fill out a Request for Pickup by HWF Truck. Please make sure to book reasonably in advance. We do book quickly.


Do you charge for furniture pickups?

Yes. When you complete a Request for Pickup by HWF Truck, you’ll see a breakdown of the pickup rates.


What items will you take and not take?

Please refer to our list of items that we accept and don’t accept. We do not accept extra large or heavy items, soft furniture used by animals or smokers, torn or unclean soft furniture. We reserve the right to refuse items that do not meet our standards of condition. Our volunteers have the authority to make this final decision when you drop off your furniture.


Do I have to prepare items for drop off?

Furniture must be clean and of a quality that we would take in our own homes. Dishes, linens and small items must be boxed or packed, identified as to contents. Loose pieces of related items (e.g. nuts, bolts, screws of beds, tables with legs, TV’s with remotes) must be tied or taped together.


Do you take mattresses?

Yes. They must be in good condition, unstained, no rips. If possible, in a plastic bag.


Who can I contact if I have items you don’t take?

The City of Ottawa provides a list of places that will take used items. You can reach them here.