Credit: Meathead Movers
Getting out of an abusive relationship is vital, yet packing up and moving out is more than daunting. But, thanks to Meathead Movers, it’s much easier—and doesn’t cost a dime—to leave a spouse or partner behind and start a new future.
For 25 years, California’s largest independently-owned moving company has been helping end domestic violence in their state by offering their moving services for free to those who need it.
Even better, they launched a coalition in 2015 that attracted eight other moving companies in the United States to join them in their mission.
The program they launched, #MoveToEndDV, has inspired over 200 businesses to pledge free services for domestic violence survivors–from moving to self-storage, and even security companies in three California cities that will send a guard during your move.
Last year alone, Meathead Movers completed 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.
Courtesy of Meathead Movers
“These moves became very personal to us,” Aaron told GNN in 2015 when we wrote our first story about the CEO of Meathead Movers. “They made all the employees so 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 were unable to afford the cost. Aaron suggested dedicating just one day per month, with employees volunteering their labor—the most significant expense. Nearly the entire team stepped up.
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, Iowa
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
The moving companies are advised to work with local domestic violence-prevention shelters that will screen victims who are requesting a free move. This is to ensure that the victim—whether male or female—is supported throughout the transition—and to keep movers safe.
“What’s good about that is, they can be vetting the requests for help, supporting the women with counseling, and making sure when we went in, the proper restraining orders were in place, or police were on hand if necessary,” explained Aaron.
In 2020, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence took over #MoveToEndDV and assumed facilitation of the program. With NCADV’s national resources and support services for shelters and survivors, this partnership has enabled Meathead Movers to reach and support even more individuals impacted by domestic violence.
MoveToEndDV – Credit: Meathead Movers
If you or your business can donate products or services, or funding for #MoveToEndDV, whether for moving support, security services, handyman work, or auto repair, visit their website here.
That sense of doing good becomes contagious, inspiring employees and communities alike to take part in meaningful acts of kindness.
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“These women are completely abandoning their life as they know it and trying to rebuild from scratch, and businesses are rallying together for them,” Aaron said. “We want them to know that people in the community have their back. We want to do this is communities all over the country.”
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