About Us

Our Mission

To provide recycled household goods to the needy individuals and families of our surrounding communities at no charge, through the use of volunteers, and in cooperation with religious organizations of all faiths and denominations, human service agencies, service organizations, and commercial businesses.

Our History

HGRM was founded by Ira and Barbara Smith in the early 1990’s. They heard about a woman from El Salvador who had fled her country after 9 neighbors were assassinated. She arrived with nothing. They put out a call to neighbors and friends and the response was wonderful. Within a short time, they had outfitted her apartment and had many things left over. That was the birth of HGRM (in their own driveway!).They knew there were many others close by who needed support as they started over.The idea began to grow and Barbara and Ira set up an exchange point in their front yard. For many years they managed it out of their home, running out to cover the couches and beds when the weather was inclement.

In 1999, a group of concerned supporters, representatives from the faith communities and the local political structure decided that the effort was growing and needed the protection of an organized corporation. The Smiths’ effort was translated into a 501(c)(3) corporation with a charter, a board of directors and a budget. It was harbored in a variety of sites away from the Smith’s driveway.  In late 2003, the mission was so successful that HGRM moved into a 9400 square foot facility on Main Street in Acton where it currently resides.

Who We Are

From that first family in 1990, we now every month

• Assist over 250 families to find the household goods they need to improve their quality of life,
• Work with over 250 agencies to meet the needs of their clients,
• Distribute some 1600 major items of furniture and 700 boxes of goods per month,
• Have the capability to respond to emergencies such as Katrina and the floods in Lowell and Lawrence,
• Work with people coming out of shelters, trying to rebuild their lives after major traumas such and battery, homelessness, addiction, and just plain bad luck.

In 2007, that added up to giving away 19,877 pieces of furniture and appliances and 7400 boxes of smaller household items with over 3000 families being helped!

Our volunteers come from all walks of life. Some of us are retired executives, others are concerned citizens, and some are also our clients who have been helped and who are now giving back.

We are independent. We are not affiliated with any other group although we are supported by many in the community from all walks of life, all faiths, and from the total spectrum of politics. We come together to meet a need, to take what people no longer want and give it to those that need it at no cost. We hope we make a difference.

Financial Info

Board of Directors

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts(HGRM)?

HGRM is a not-for-profit agency that provides recycled furniture and household goods, at no charge, to needy individuals in our surrounding communities. We have over a hundred active volunteers. We work with human service agencies, service organizations, religious organizations of all faiths and denominations, and commercial businesses.

2. You have the word Ministry in your name, are you affiliated with a church?

We are an independent, not-for-profit organization. We are not affiliated with any other group although we do cooperate with religious organizations of all faiths and denominations as well as with many other human service agencies and organizations.

3. What types of items do you need?

Our clients are often coming out of hard times and frequently do not have even a bed to sleep on. Our list of essential items include mattresses, bureaus, tables, chairs, sofas, refrigerators, washer and dryers, dishes, towels, blankets, sheets, pots and pans and small appliances. Almost anything needed to set up a household except clothing and food are generally accepted. Please check our list of items we accept before donating.

4. Do you also need financial support?

Yes! We also need cash to support the work we do. Our operating expenses (rent, supplies, vehicle maintenance and repairs, etc.) are approximately $126,000 per year. To continue our work and serve our clients we need your support.

5. What are ways I can support HGRM?

You can support HGRM in many ways. Make a cash donation, donate household items, let us know about persons in need and/or volunteer your time to help us at HGRM.

6. Can I get a tax receipt for my donation?

Yes, when you bring us items for donation or have large items picked up, we will give you a tax receipt for your donation. We do not provide estimated values of donated household items. The donor may estimate the values and use our receipt for proof of donation for income tax purposes. Click here for more info on valuation guides.

7. Who do I make my check out to and what is your mailing address?

Please make your check payable to HGRM, Inc. and send to this address: HGRM, Inc. 530 Main St. Acton, MA 01720 or contribute online

8. How do I donate my household goods?

Household goods may be brought to our facility at 530 Main St. in Acton, Mass. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings between 9am and noon. No appointment is necessary. Please see our website under donate to see what we do and do not accept for furniture and other large items or call us with your questions at 978-635-1763. Please check our calendar for holidays/warehouse closings.

9. Do you have guidelines for the condition of donated furniture?

We do have guidelines for acceptable condition of furniture and smaller household items. Items should be clean, currently serviceable and in a gently used condition that you yourself would use if they were not excess.

10. Do you pickup donations?

We do have limited pickup service available for large essential items in Acton and the surrounding towns of Concord, Carlisle, Westford, Littleton, Boxborough, Maynard, Sudbury, Stow and Harvard. There is a $25.00 pickup fee for this service. We also handle whole households in towns in and outside our pickup area. Please call 978-635-1763 to schedule a pickup.

11. Why do you charge a pickup fee?

We do encourage donors to bring items to us if at all possible. Our volunteers service 250-300 families per month. We charge no fees to our clients, nor to any agencies which might bring clients to us. We have operating expenses of $126,000 per year, and no state or federal funding. In order to continue to provide services to our clients, we need to at least recoup our operating costs. The fee covers our costs of gas, maintenance, insurance, repairs, etc. for our vehicles.

12. How do I refer someone in need to your agency?

If you are in need, or know someone in need of furniture and household goods, please contact us to make an appointment to come and receive needed items. You must have a referral from a social agency, state or federal agency, clergy or other service organization so that we may verify your request. Please call us at 978-635-1739.

13. Do you accept office furniture and equipment?

No, only smaller student type desks are accepted.

14. Will you resell my donation?

The vast majority of our donations go directly to our clients in need. We do sell some items of value such as antiques and collectibles to help raise funds to pay for our operating expenses since this also helps us to serve our client base.

15. Do you take clothing or food?

No, we do not take clothing or food.

16. Does my agency qualify to participate with HGRM?

Please call us at 978-635-1739 or email us to find out.