StuffRescue Is Now Open in Every State

We started StuffRescue in Akron, Ohio, with a simple idea: nothing useful should go to waste while a neighbor goes without. Today in 2026, we are proud to announce that our free stuff app is open nationwide. You can now rescue things and rehome what you no longer need in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Bringing our free stuff app to every neighborhood

Americans generate a staggering amount of waste every year. According to the US EPA, the United States produced 292.4 million tons of municipal solid waste in a single year, which breaks down to about 4.9 pounds of trash per person every day. Much of that waste consists of perfectly good furniture, clothing, and household goods that someone else could easily use.

We built a give away stuff for free app to change how communities handle the things they no longer need. Whether you live in a bustling city or a quiet rural town, you can now connect directly with neighbors to keep useful items in the community and out of the landfill. We operate under a simple philosophy: dignity, never charity. A neighbor who needs a dresser or a winter coat should not have to explain why. Because of this, there are no applications and no proof of hardship required to participate.

What stays the same across the map

As we expand across the country, our core rules remain exactly the same. Nothing is ever for sale on StuffRescue. There is no selling, no haggling, and no cash exchanged between neighbors.

The giver never pays. Posting an item is completely free. For the rescuer, claiming anything within a 3-mile straight line of their saved home location is also free. If an item is farther than 3 miles away, the rescue costs one flat 99-cent fee. This fee is paid by the rescuer from a prepaid wallet, which can be loaded in $5, $10, $15, or $20 amounts. You will always see this cost on the item before you tap to rescue it. If a rescue is canceled by either person, the 99 cents goes right back into your wallet. You can learn more about how the free radius and pickup codes work.

Privacy and safety built in

When we first tested an early version of the map in Akron, we put a pin near each item and a dot on the member's own home. We quickly realized that on detailed street maps, those markers read as exact houses. We immediately rebuilt the map to protect everyone's privacy. Today, the map only shows neighborhood circles with item counts, never addresses or exact points. The free-radius ring centers on the neighborhood itself, not your house.

Exact pickup spots are only shared with the rescuer after they successfully claim an item. Every rescue also uses a unique six-digit pickup code that only the two people involved can see. When the rescuer arrives, they show or read the code at the door, and the giver checks that it matches. If there is no match, there is no handoff. Nobody ever types the code into the app.

While we provide the platform, we do not inspect items. The giver's description is exactly what the rescuer expects. Givers should always check items against recall lists at the US Consumer Product Safety Commission before offering them to neighbors, as federal law prohibits individuals from knowingly giving away recalled or hazardous consumer products. Additionally, givers should always check furniture for bed bugs and never list an item with signs of them.

Please remember that a StuffRescue gift to another person is not a tax-deductible donation.

Supporting local organizations

Our structure will follow our impact, which is why we also support community groups. Verified nonprofits, churches, schools, and agencies use the Partner Portal to post campaigns with lists of specific needs. These requests can be anonymous or, with the person's permission, listed by name.

Neighbors see these campaigns on the Wish Program and the map, and they can step up to give or offer the specific items requested. Organizations must apply to join, and StuffRescue checks every organization to ensure they are legitimate and ready to help the community.

How to start finding free items near me

If you are ready to browse free items near me, getting started takes just a few minutes. The guide to every screen is available in our documentation, but the basic steps are simple.

1. Set your home location

   Create your account and set your home location once on the map.

2. Discover what is available

   Open Discover to browse items, read descriptions, and check the cost line.

3. Rescue an item

   Tap "Rescue this Item" to claim it, knowing the first person to claim it gets it.

4. Arrange the pickup

   Use the private chat to agree on a time, then pick up the item at the exact spot provided.

If you want to give something away, simply tap the orange button to rehome an item. Add one to three photos, and our autofill will read the photos to suggest a title, category, description, and condition. You can edit all of these details before posting.

Once the handoff is complete and the giver confirms it, the item is marked as rehomed.

Sources

1. National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes and Recycling | US EPA
2. Resale/Thrift Stores | CPSC.gov

Published by StuffRescue, a US nonprofit based in Akron, Ohio. Spotted something out of date? Email info@stuffrescue.co.