Donations Inspecting Donations Guidelines for Inspecting Furniture Look for the following: Rips or tears in the fabric, even if they are on the underside of the cushion or back of a couch that are large. Leather or paint that is peeling/chipping off - hazardous to kids Poorly refinished/painted pieces of furniture Broken zippers on cushions so that foam is sticking out Stained or dirty - no stains on cushions that are noticeable If the cushion can flipped over to a side with no stains, we may accept it Not covered in pet hair Claw marks from pets – should be nothing noticeable Must function as designed Missing pieces Mold, strong, musty smell/cigarette smoke or water damage The item should be sturdy and not fall apart when trying to move it No items that need more than 2 men to lift No excessively tall items Veneer is missing – use your judgment Inspect for bed bugs Lift up all cushions Open drawers to look for visible evidence of bugs or rodents. If you see any evidence, turn it down immediately. If the furniture is large or oversized and won't fit in a truck easily, please turn it down. Most of our clients live in small apartments, and/or items have to go up staircases. *** If your first reaction when you see the furniture is not good, go with your gut as it is what most others will think too. *** Saturday Donations Process Flow TRAFFIC COP Prepare clip board with tax receipt, tally by town form, client names Greeting of arriving vehicle Thank you for coming. What town are you from? Have you been here before? Do you need a tax receipt? Drive to the right, someone will wave you to the unloading point. For early arrival of clients Welcome, your name and appt. time? Direct them to park, let them know you’ll let inside know you’re here Go inside to tell check-in person GREET & INSPECT DONATIONS Review Donation Take and Don’t Take sheets Greeting of arriving vehicle Thank you for coming! Have you been here before? What do you have for us today? Please turn off your car. We’ll inspect it and then unload Inspect: **does it pass the “I’d give this to my family”. Condition – tears, stains, very worn, very faded, Smells – mold, cigarettes, pet “friendly” Further Inspect items: Read the What We Take/Don't Take on the FSFB website Housewares – scan box for scratched, worn pots, pans, plastic dishes & containers, Linens – “have they recently been cleaned?” Rugs – many/large stains on top & bottom (usually by pet), smells Upholstered chairs – worn arms, cushions, back; stains; tears(if small, may have the time to fix). Mattresses – where has this been used? (guest room is usually acceptable, need 8” thickness Box Springs – we’ll take them!...unless large tear that can’t be taped If items don’t meet FSFB standards, thank them, explain We don’t accept these items. Did you see our website? These items don’t move. These items are better for Savers. We’re unable to take this item as it won’t fit/work for our clients small space Linens can go in our Fiber Recycling bin DONATIONS MOVERS Setup outside - cones, carts, small, carts, linen bins, mattress tarp Spray mattresses, box springs Apply same color dots to table & chair sets, and bedroom sets Unload inside - linens, appliances, furniture in back Wrap table legs and bed frames….recheck for same color dots! Other places to donate : Savers – Marlborough, Framingham Ashland Worcester - ReStore – light fixtures, paint Sudbury - Goodwill truck Buynothingsellnothing.com Maynard – dump 1 item Sudbury – Facebook “Sudbury Curb Alert” Additional Resources for Donors Clothing Berlin: Many Hands Thrift Shoppe – 24 Central St. (Rte. 62) (508) 838-2575 Marlborough: Our Lady Thrift Shop – 197 Pleasant St. (508) 481-1284 Savers – 222a East Main St. ( 508) 485-5191  https://www.savers.com/ Marlborough Food Pantry – 255 Main St. (508) 481-4080 Framingham: Savers – 500 Cochituate Rd. (508) 875-0225  https://www.savers.com/ Hopkinton: Project Just Because- 109 South St. (508) 435-6511 Worcester: Savers- 490 Lincoln St. (508) 853-3653 Mattresses Acton: Household Goods 530 Main St - 978-635-1710 http://householdgoods.org/ Chelmsford: The Wish Project – 166 Middlesex St. North – 866-947-4360  http://thewishproject.org/ Walpole: New Life Furniture Bank – 102 Elm St – 774-316-NEWL  https://www.newlifefb.org/ Futons, Sleeper Sofas Acton: Household Goods 530 Main St. (978) 635-1710 http://householdgoods.org/ Baby Furniture, Car Seats, and Strollers Acton: Household Goods– 530 Main St. (978) 635-1710 Chelmsford: The Wish Project – 166 Middlesex St., North (866) 947-4360Building Supplies & Appliances Cabinets, sinks, fixtures, hardwired lights, etc. Habitat for Humanity Restore Donation Centers: http://www.habitat.org/restores/ Ashland- 310 Pond St. (508) 799-9259 x-204 Leominster- 637 Lancaster St. (978) 227-5556 Worcester- 640 Lincoln St., Suite 100 (779) 236-6283 On-Line freecycle.org craigslist.org has a free section. nextdoor.com Facebook Marketplace both have free sections. Other Big Brothers Big Sisters Schedule a free pick up: https://www.bbbsfoundation.org They will pick up clothing, most children’s/ baby items, sewing machines, etc. The above information came from these group’s websites, so call ahead to double-check what they take.