Donate furniture and appliances

A family receives the keys to their new house, enters carrying boxes, and finds themselves facing four empty walls. There's nowhere to sleep that first night, nowhere to store food, and not even a chair to sit and eat. This scene repeats itself more often than one might think. And often, all it takes is... donate furniture that you no longer use so that the house can start to feel like a home.

In Colombia, the housing deficit affects 25.61% of households, according to the DANE. Three out of four cases are qualitative: homes that exist but lack something to be considered decent. Sometimes that something is the structure. Other times, it's simply not enough to live in.

What furniture and appliances are suitable for donation?

Our rule is simple: if it works and you'd use it in your own home, it's fine. We don't look for perfect or brand-name items; we look for things that do the job.

These are the ones families ask us for the most:

• Beds and mattresses in good condition.
• Tables and chairs for family meals.
• Wardrobes and furniture for storing clothes.
• Refrigerators that cool well.
• Stoves that light and work.

When someone decides donate furniture In good condition, you're giving a family something bigger than an object: you're giving them a normal routine. Eating sitting down. Sleeping well. Storing food without it spoiling.

Why a decent home also needs to be furnished

Building or improving a house is half the battle. The other half is being able to live in it with dignity. A family that moves into a new home often spends everything they have getting there, and has nothing left to furnish it.

That's why we see new houses with dirt floors inside, or children sleeping on mattresses without beds. The structure is there, but daily life remains difficult. Furnishing a place closes that gap. It's what transforms a roof into a real home.

How to coordinate donation via WhatsApp

We made it as easy as possible. Contact us via WhatsApp at +57 300 143 7951 Tell us what you have to donate, and if you can, include a photo. That way we can confirm it's suitable and coordinate the delivery.

You have two options, depending on what suits you best:

1. You deliver it at a point we agree on.
2. We pick it up ourselves, especially if it's a big thing like a refrigerator or a wardrobe.

You can also write to us at contactanos@hepacom.org or visit our page contact If you prefer to coordinate that way. The important thing is not to hesitate: if you think something might be useful, ask.

what doesn't work (and why)

We're honest here because we're serious. We don't accept damaged, broken, or non-functional items. A sagging mattress, a refrigerator that doesn't cool, or a chair missing a leg doesn't solve anything for the family; it already costs us transportation and storage.

The question to ask yourself is this: would you use it in your home as is? If the answer is yes, donate it with confidence. If you hesitate because it's very worn, that's probably not the case. We prefer a few good things to many that we have to throw away.

Furnishing is not the same as building

It's worth clarifying because sometimes it gets mixed up. Donate furniture And appliances are for life inside the home. It's different from donate building materials such as cement, tiles or bricks, which are used to build or repair the structure.

Both things are necessary and both add up. If you want to see the full picture of how to support, check out the ways to help a homeless family and choose the one that suits you best.

Which furniture and appliances are suitable for donation (and how to deliver them)

Not everything you no longer use is useful to another family, and donating unwanted items creates extra work for the foundation. This table summarizes the types of items typically received, their condition, and how to coordinate delivery so your donation arrives ready to use. Please confirm with the foundation before making any arrangements.

What can be donated	How should it be delivered?
Furniture in good condition (beds, tables, chairs, wardrobes)	Clean, complete and functional; coordinate the space and transport beforehand.
Working appliances (refrigerator, stove, washing machine)	Tested and working, even if they have years of use; let us know the model when coordinating.
Mattresses and bedding in good condition	Clean and undamaged; check if they are accepted due to hygiene issues.
That which is damaged or incomplete	It's best not to donate it: repairing or disposing of it falls on the foundation and reduces resources.

Guidelines. Before handing over, coordinate via WhatsApp with the foundation what is being received, its condition, and the collection logistics.

Common mistakes when donating furniture and appliances

• Donate what doesn't work: Handing in something damaged shifts the cost of repairing or throwing it away to the foundation; if it's no good for you, it probably won't be good for another family either.
• Do not coordinate delivery: Showing up with furniture unannounced complicates the space and transport; I wrote beforehand to agree on a date and place.
• Assuming that everything is received: For hygiene or logistical reasons, some items are not accepted; please check each case individually before moving them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does donating furniture have any cost for me?

No. Donating is free. If you need us to pick up something large, we'll coordinate it at no cost to you depending on the area; we can discuss it via WhatsApp.

Do you accept used appliances even if they are years old?

Yes, as long as they work well. Age isn't as important as whether they do their job. An older refrigerator that cools perfectly is perfectly adequate for a family.

What if I'm not sure if my furniture will work?

Send us a photo to +57 300 143 7951. We'll tell you right away if it works or not, no obligation.

Where do I drop it off or where do you pick it up from?

We are based in Itagüí and have nationwide coverage. Depending on your location, we can arrange a delivery point or coordinate a pickup.

If you have a bed, a refrigerator, or a wardrobe that you no longer use but still works, that one thing can make a family's first night. Message us today on WhatsApp. +57 300 143 7951 And we coordinate. It's a message, and on the other side there's a home waiting to be filled.

This guide is part of our Complete guide to decent housing in Colombia, where we bring together how to access housing and how to help another family have their own.