Whether the kids have flown from the nest, it's time to move, or it's starting to look like a hoarders situation, hauling those items you don't want or need anymore can be a hassle, especially in the summer heat.

But for numerous charities in the area, it's a great opportunity to give someone a helping hand, and they're not just happy to take items off donors' hands, they'll send a truck to the front door, load up the items, and be on their way. It takes just a few clicks to get a Houston-area service to come knocking and drive off with a load that otherwise (if one's being honest) would stay right where it is.

Here are eight options that will save a lot of time, energy, and, most importantly, money.

Arms of Hope
The Medina-based, Christian organization accepts clothing, furniture, toys, sporting goods, and other items. Schedule a free pick-up here or by calling 877-259-3744. The Houston outreach office can be contacted directly at 713-868-1309.

Houston Habitat for Humanity
The nonprofit needs new and used cabinets, doors, windows, carpeting and flooring, building supplies, lighting fixtures, and more. Schedule a pick-up by entering a ZIP code and selecting whether the destination is residential or commercial, and then explain what items need to be collected.

Houston Food Bank
The Houston Food Bank, which serves an 18-county region, accepts large amounts of items from food drives, and asks that pick-ups be requested with at least a 48-hour notice and for there to be enough items that could fill the back of a small pickup truck, otherwise collecting them becomes cost prohibitive. But first, the food bank needs donors to register their drives.

Houston Furniture Bank
This nonprofit charges $50 for furniture pickups. Items should be free of rips, tears, stains, and pet hair. They’re looking for essential items such as sofas and loveseats, upholstered chairs, coffee and end tables, dining room tables and chairs, and more.

Houston Local Charity
The nonprofit Greater Houston donation pick-up service accepts household items, electronics, clothing, and more. Note that free donation pick-up dates vary by the part of the region where items are located.

Purple Heart Foundation
The Houston location of this veterans organization accepts jewelry, hats, small furniture, radios and TVs, electronics, and other items. Through this service, you can simply schedule a pickup and leave the items at your front door. For more information, call 713-685-5400.

Salvation Army
Houston-area residents need only enter their ZIP code here, enter the number and type of items they want to donate, and schedule a pick-up. The Salvation Army Family Stores accept clothes, books, household items, chairs, couches, and miscellaneous things.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
The organization accepts gently used clothing, furniture, and more. The group asks that donors ask themselves whether items are in good shape and cleaned, don't have lead-based paint, never been recalled, and meet Consumer Product Safety Commission standards.

Vehicle donations
Want to get rid of a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, or RV? Numerous Houston-area nonprofits and services are ready to schedule a pick-up, generally regardless of the vehicle's condition. These organizations accept vehicle donations:

• American Cancer Society
• American Heart Association
• Best Friends Animal Society
• Cars for Kids (Texans Can Academies)
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
• Easter Seals Great Houston
• Goodwill Houston
• HOPE (Homeless & Orphaned Pets Endeavor)
• Houston Habitat for Humanity
• Houston Local Charity
• Jewish Family Service Houston (JFS Houston)
• K-9 Angel Rescue
• The Arc of Greater Houston