Volunteer At The Free Furniture Market

Lend a helping hand at the Free Furniture Market, July 26-27! The Free Furniture Market makes furniture items donated during the off-campus donation event MoveOutATX available to members of the public at no cost.

We need volunteers to unload furniture, direct traffic, and help visitors claim furniture. We have a variety of roles and times. The Market will open daily from 6:30-8 p.m. (or while supplies last).

You may notice we need volunteers well before the Market opens. These volunteers will help set up, unload and inventory items, and assist patrons who arrive early.

There are four different roles you can sign up for:

• Shopper and Traffic Oversight (on feet, mostly in sun)
• Movers and Lifters (on feet, ability to lift 50 lbs. necessary)
• Seated and Shaded
• Spanish-Speaking Customer Liaison (mostly seated and shaded)

Sign up for a volunteer role and time slot here. 

Perks: Volunteers will receive a cool-it towel, snacks, cold water, and electrolyte drinks. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing you’re helping keep good stuff out of the landfill and getting it into the hands of a new owner!

Things to Note:

• This volunteer opportunity is outside.
• A tent for shade will be available for breaks.
• Please read the role description to understand expectations.
• Dress appropriately for the heat (breathable, loose clothing, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and any additional sun protection).
• Ice water will be available onsite. Please bring a refillable water bottle.
• Bring your own gently used items to drop-off before your shift at the on-site donation station. MoveOutATX is working with seven reuse organizations, so if you’ve got stuff that’s still usable, chances are we can accept it! See our detailed list of accepted items.

Parking Information: Parking will be available onsite at the location. If you’re working the second shift, please let the volunteer working at the entrance know you’re a volunteer.

Background: More than 18,000 students live in West Campus, the off-campus neighborhood for UT Austin. Each July, a significant volume of reusable items are abandoned on the curb or near dumpsters when students move out. Established in 2018, MoveOutATX brings temporary donation stations to the area. The 2026 program runs July 25-31. Students and residents can donate gently used items like clothing, furniture, housewares, open or new cleaning supplies/toiletries, art/office supplies, unopened nonperishable food, and more. MoveOutATX is a partner program between the City of Austin, UT Office of Sustainability, UT Office of the Dean of Students, local reuse organizations, and local properties. For more information, visit austintexas.gov/moveout.

The Free Furniture Market is a public event where gently used furniture collected through MoveOutATX is available for free. A local reuse organization transports and restocks items throughout the event. This year’s market will only operate on two days during the donation event. Furniture donated through donation stations on other days will be taken to the City’s new Austin Reuse Warehouse. Once the warehouse opens, these items will help furnish the homes of people transitioning out of homelessness.