Post #5: The True Value of Second Chances

Every year, tons of storage lockers are left behind. These are full of belongings that people either forgot about or just couldn’t afford to keep renting the locker. Most of these abandoned lockers are auctioned off or gone to waste. This, paired with the increase in the manufacturing of many goods, leads to a worldwide pollution and landfill disaster. But what if we look at this whole situation differently? What if the forgotten items that the majority finds old or useless are used to transform and help the lives of people who need them the most?

What do WE do?

Here at Storage Angels, that is exactly what we do! We buy unclaimed storage lockers and donate as much as possible to local charities that need them the most. Our mission is not to just give these things away—it’s about valuing each and every item and giving them a purpose in the world again. A coat someone left behind can be a source of warmth for someone sleeping outside. A box of children’s toys can bring happiness to an orphanage. Even common, overlooked items like pots and pans can be a valuable starting point for a family starting over after losing everything.

These simple acts can make a change in our communities. According to a 2024 study, there were approximately 771,480 individuals who experienced homelessness in the U.S., and due to this, shelters are always in need of supplies [1]. Schools in low-income areas often are unable to afford enough books or other supplies for their students, so we donate whatever would be useful for them there. Even things like boxes of old baby clothes and unused diapers can go straight to a local family resource center or a women's shelter.

What can YOU do?

• Embrace Minimalism

  • Make sure to buy only what you need, not want. Consider how long you will use the items for and make sure they can last.

• Reuse

  • Instead of throwing an item away when you are done. See if you can donate it to a local institution that could benefit from the item. Donate unused diapers to women’s resource centers or orphanages. Donate clothes to a local charity like Goodwill. 

Our impact in our communities

We aren’t just clearing out junk—we’re making the impact that so many people desperately need. Less stuff ends up in landfills, and more actually ends up in the hands of people who could use it to its fullest. It’s easy to ignore what’s left behind, but we believe that every item, even old and forgotten things, deserves a second chance. And honestly, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure; that second chance could change someone’s life.

Sources Used:

[1] - https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf