Moving companies provide free transfers to victims of domestic violence: Thousands benefited in 8 states

Leaving an abusive relationship is essential, but packing and moving can be extremely challenging. However, thanks to Meathead Movers, it is now much easier and cost-free to leave a spouse or partner behind and start a new future.

For 25 years, California’s largest independent moving company has been helping end domestic violence in its state by offering its moving services free of charge to those in need.

Additionally, in 2015 they started a coalition that managed to attract eight other moving companies in the United States to join their mission.

The program they launched, #MoveToEndDV, has motivated more than 200 businesses to offer free services to domestic violence survivors, from moving to storage services to security companies in three California cities that provide a guard during the move.

Last year alone, Meathead Movers performed 106 domestic violence-related moves for free, including eight emergency moves in the cities they serve: San Luis Obispo, Ventura County, Orange County, Fresno and Bakersfield.

Founded by brothers Aaron and Evan Steed, the company is a powerful example of how businesses can create tangible community impact through service.

“These moves became very personal for us,” Aaron told GNN in 2015 when we wrote our first story about the Meathead Movers CEO. “They made all the employees very proud and became part of our mission statement.”

Aaron’s compassion inspired the owner of a local moving company in Fort Worth, Texas, to reach out and ask how they could offer free services when they couldn’t afford the cost. Aaron suggested dedicating just one day a month, with employees volunteering their work, to the most significant expense. Almost the entire team participated.

Today, that company, Veterans Moving America, works with shelters to provide moving services to survivors in Fort Worth, creating a Texas-sized ripple effect in their own community.

Other moving companies that have joined #MoveToEndDV include:

• Veterans Moving America – Fort Worth
• Helping Hands Moving and Maids – Salt Lake City, Utah
• We Help! Cincinnati Movers – Cincinnati, Ohio
• Elite Moving Services – Des Moines, IA
• Gentle Giant Moving Company – Boston, Massachusetts
• Parks Moving & Storage – Pittsburgh, Harrisburg & State College, Pennsylvania
• Always Professional Moving – Phoenix, Arizona
• Brown Box Movers – Dallas, Texas

How it works

Moving companies are advised to work with local domestic violence prevention shelters who will screen victims who request a free move. This is to ensure that the victim, whether male or female, is supported during the transition and to maintain the safety of the movers.

“The good thing about this is that they can assess requests for help, support women with counseling and make sure that when we come in, the appropriate restraining orders are in place, or that the police are present if necessary,” Aaron explained.

In 2020, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence assumed control of #MoveToEndDV and program facilitation. With NCADV’s national resources and support services for shelters and survivors, this partnership has allowed Meathead Movers to reach and support even more people affected by domestic violence.

If you or your business can donate products or services, or funding to #MoveToEndDV, whether for moving support, security services, labor work, or auto repair, visit their website here.

That feeling of doing good becomes contagious, inspiring employees and communities alike to engage in meaningful acts of kindness.

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“These women are completely abandoning their lives as they know it and trying to rebuild from the ground up, and businesses are coming together to support them,” Aaron said. “We want them to know that the community is with them. We want to do this in communities across the country.”