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For many people, the thought of decluttering feels tense and time-consuming, however for Walter Hindman and Colin Shepardson, co-founders of Junkdrop, their junk elimination service helps folks “be ok with decluttering.” Most of the objects they obtain from shoppers are nonetheless in good situation and could be reused, so as a substitute of hauling them to a landfill, Junkdrop groups up with native charities to donate this stuff to folks in want.
The concept of Junkdrop took place amidst the chaos of COVID-19. As latest faculty graduates, Colin and Walter had been on the lookout for one thing to maintain them busy. Then, after dropping his job to the pandemic, Walter began to look deeper into totally different industries, significantly junk elimination corporations. “We stated, ‘If we will take away folks’s stuff after which give it to somebody who wants it, it’ll make extra sense for us, the consumer, and likewise the recipient. It’s a win for everybody concerned,’” says Walter. “We’ve been capable of arrange relationships with a bunch of various charities right here in Nashville, and we’re mainly simply making an attempt to proceed to develop as a lot as we will.”
Colin Shepardson (left) and Walter Hindman (proper) are the co-founders of Junkdrop, a Nashville junk elimination service that donates garments, furnishings, building supplies, and home equipment to these in want.
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In true 2020 trend, issues didn’t cease on the pandemic. For Nashvillians, catastrophe struck on Christmas Day with an early morning bombing downtown. With a brand new enterprise underway, Colin and Walter stepped in to assist their group, utilizing their connections with Nashville charities. Via these relationships, Junkdrop related with two Nashville ladies who owned an Airbnb impacted by the bombing and wanted assist clearing out the area. “After the bombing, [the women] discovered themselves with an entire lot of labor. Their elevator was busted out, so most different corporations simply weren’t up for the job,” explains Colin. “We had been new, and we had , giant group of men on the time, so we discovered ourselves saying, ‘Let’s go for it, it feels like an ideal alternative to attempt to put a constructive gentle on one thing that was actually tough.’”
“We received a few massive field vehicles, and we began clearing out the objects — finish tables, clothes, bedding, lamps, sheets, and simply every little thing we may that was reusable and nonetheless clear,” says Colin of their efforts following Nashville’s Christmas Day bombing.
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After clearing out the furnishings from the Airbnb, Colin and Walter saved it for eight months at their very own expense. Solely not too long ago have they begun donating objects to a housing advanced for these experiencing homelessness. “We’ve had [the items] saved, and now they’re getting offloaded and getting used for Neighborhood Care Fellowship and Individuals Loving Nashville — these are two of our accomplice charities,” explains Colin. “There are 48 rooms in what was an assisted residing residence that has now became a dorm for households and single folks, and we’re serving to to furnish these rooms so folks have beds, clothes, and issues to fill their room — a spot to reside.”
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Since its inception, Junkdrop has helped furnish over 100 houses, and the one side they cost for is eradicating objects. This makes the method 100% free for each the charity and the recipient. “Since we’re capable of cost the consumer like a typical junk elimination service, we don’t truly should cost the group or the recipient,” explains Walter. “We pay to retailer [the furniture], after which we additionally pay to get the blokes to go ship it and set it up.”
Junkdrop retains its companies free for charities and recipients. They solely cost shoppers for furnishings elimination, after which they separate the objects primarily based on what could be reused.
On the subject of constructing relationships with charities, Walter says the method has been comparatively simple. “As soon as the phrase received out, we had been capable of arrange relationships with Finish Slavery Tennessee, Salvation Military, Individuals Loving Nashville, Oasis Middle, Catholic Charities of Tennessee, and Neighborhood Care Basis,” he says. “They’ll simply mainly say, ‘Okay, that is Sarah, she lives in Antioch, and that is her tackle.’ Then they’ll fill out a spreadsheet that claims she wants a mattress, field spring, dresser, or TV. No matter these objects are, they’ll simply undergo the record and fill it out. Then we have a look at that record, and we ship the objects and set them up.”
Walter additionally provides that one of many issues they continuously remind themselves of is that Junkdrop is solely the intermediary, they usually wouldn’t be capable of do what they do with out shoppers and charities. “We’re actually grateful that we’re given the chance to be the logistics so we even have the face-to-face interplay with the recipient, which is a lot enjoyable,” Walter explains. “We now have a good time doing that, however we additionally perceive the charity arrange the connection and the consumer offered the furnishings … we’re grateful to do the work that we do to verify it occurs.”
“One of many issues we are saying is that this isn’t actually our stuff to donate,” says Walter. “We’re not those who’re shopping for the stuff and giving it to [recipients]. We’re actually simply the logistics within the center.”
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These reactions and interactions with recipients are the highlights of his job, says Walter. “That’s undoubtedly the most effective a part of the whole course of — having the ability to get the response of somebody who [really needs the items],” he tells us. “Their garments are on the bottom and also you give them a dresser, or they’re sleeping in a sleeping bag and also you give them a mattress — that’s by far the most effective feeling on the planet.”
Colin agrees, including, “Numerous these persons are coming off the streets. We’ve had conditions the place we’re furnishing a house for somebody who’s been on the streets for a decade, and we’re capable of be the individuals who assist them out and provides them someplace to sit down, someplace to sleep, and someplace to eat. We’re simply blissful to have a task in that.”
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On the subject of the way forward for Junkdrop, Walter and Colin merely simply wish to hold doing what they love whereas persevering with to develop their enterprise. “We simply wish to hold going as finest we will. Proper now, a giant focus for us is hiring,” says Colin. “We’re making an attempt to get the phrase out, making an attempt to unfold the phrase that we’re on the lookout for hard-working people who find themselves keen to assist join Nashville and assist these in want.”
To study extra about Junkdrop and its efforts, go to junkdropnash.com. All images courtesy of Junkdrop.
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