Furniture Project

The Furniture Project is a program that provides good used furniture, such as beds, dressers, table and chairs, to local households in need. For the past few years, the Furniture Project has been managed by ReStore and sponsored by the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center.  Placement of the furniture is made through referrals from various Johnson County human service agencies.  This partnership has benefited numerous families in Johnson County and diverted hundreds of reusable pieces of furniture from the landfill. 

Beginning in January 2012, the City is turning the project over to the ReStore, who will have sole ownership and oversight of the program.  The Furniture Project will be moving to the East Side Recycling Center at 2401 Scott Blvd SE, next to the ReStore.  Hours for donations will be expanded and hours for clients picking up furniture will change to become more accessible.  A small fee will now be charged to assist ReStore in covering costs.

Donate Clean, Gently Used Furniture

Furniture may be donated in one of two ways; by dropping off or scheduling a pick up. Please be aware that materials are accepted at staff discretion. Furniture is accepted if it is clean, in good structural condition and aesthetically appealing.  We ask that you call in advance if you have further questions about whether we accept specific items. All donations are tax deductible.

  1. You can drop off donations at the store any time during our donation receiving hours, Monday through Saturday 9am-5pm.  Please call ahead if you have over-sized or bulky donations that may require assistance with unloading.
  2. Donors may call the ReStore at 319-338-5687 to schedule a pick-up. Because we use volunteer staff we must have all pieces on the ground floor or garage and we ask for a $10 pickup donation to cover our expenses.

Receive Furniture

  1. If your family is in need of basic furniture, please visit one of the following human-service agencies to obtain a referral form to get up to 3 pieces of furniture this year.
American Red Cross
Case Mgrs. of Johnson Co. MH/DD & DHS
Churches
Community Mental Health Center
Coralville Family Resource Center
Crisis Center
DVIP
Elder Services, Inc.
Family, Inc.		 Family Resource Centers
Housing Fellowship
HACAP
Iowa City Housing Authority
Life Skills, Inc
MECCA
Mid-Iowa Family Therapy Clinic
Neighborhood Centers of Johnson County
Promise Jobs		 Salvation Army
Shelter House
STAR Program
Successful Living
UAY Transitional Living Program
Veterans Affairs—Homeless Outreach
Vets Helping Vets
Visiting Nurses Association
Youth Homes
  1. Families will be allowed three pieces of furniture; please work directly with your agent to determine which three items are of most need and mark on referral form.
  2. Please note that items will now cost between $1 and $5 each.  This fee must be paid during the open house before the items can be taken by clients.  This fee is new and is necessary for ReStore to offset the costs of the program.
  3. Visit The Furniture Project (located at 2401 Scott Blvd SE, the East Side Recycling Center) during an Open House to obtain furniture.
  4. Beginning January 6, 2012 open houses will be held each Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Clients must bring their completed Referral Form when visiting the FP to pick out furniture.

Remember: The Furniture Project does not deliver or load furniture! Please come prepared to load items and haul away. Furniture will be distributed on a first come-first served basis, and items must be taken that same day.