What is your service area?

We happily pick up books for free within Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Vaughan, Thornhill, Richmond Hill, and Markham

What percentage of sales do you donate?

We want our free service to be sustainable, while also allowing us to be consistent with our contributions. We donate 20% of net profits quarterly from book sales.

Where do the books go?

Books are sold, others find new homes through donations and some are recycled.

Why do you support CAMH: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health?

We lost family members to battles with depression, so mental health is something we’re passionate about. With CAMH providing life-changing support, reducing stigma, and leading vital research for a healthier and more compassionate future, we believe in their mission and the works they are doing so we want to support them.

How does your service differ from others who accept book donations?

There are many places to donate books like Value Village or The Salvation Army. What makes us unique is our focus on making the experience effortless and friendly. We’re also a small Canadian, local startup. Plus, your book donation supports CAMH – Canada’s leading mental health and addiction hospital.

What kind of books do you accept? Do you accept books in other languages besides english?

We accept gently used fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, business and self-help books. We accept most books as long as they are in good condition. We do not accept textbooks, encyclopaedias or magazines. Children’s books are accepted if they are clean and without pencil/pen markings. We only accept books in english. 

20% of net profits quarterly goes to CAMH, where does the rest go?

As a small local Canadian start-up, the remaining funds are reinvested into running and growing Donate Differently. Covering operating costs including fuel, labour, moving supplies, shipping, storage fees, web hosting, insurance, accounting, and ongoing marketing and advertising.

How do I prepare for pickup?

Place your books in boxes, ensuring each box weighs less than 50 lb. Alternatively, you can place your books in sturdy reusable bags. Keep your boxes or bags in a dry, sheltered spot, such as a porch. If rain is in the forecast and the books are exposed to the elements, consider covering them with a large plastic garbage bag to keep them dry.

Are you independent of CAMH with the exception of them being a beneficiary of your contributions?

That is correct, we are 100% independent from CAMH but it’s an organization we want to support because Canada is experiencing a mental health crisis marked by increasing rates of depression, anxiety and suicide. We want to use our book pickup and removal service to help make a difference.

Do you do large scale bulk pickups?

We specialize in curated, small-batch book pickups, not bulk junk removal. We limit our pickups to a maximum of 500 books or the equivalent of 12 boxes (12″ x 18″ x 11″)

Do you pickup other items?

Unfortunately not, Donate Differently is focused exclusively on books.

I have very old books can you still pick them up?

Those kinds of books aren’t the main focus of our pickups because antique books aren’t our specialty. Another service may be better suited for that type of collection, but we’d still be glad to see how we can help.