Escaping an abusive relationship is crucial, but the process of packing up and moving can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Meathead Movers is making this transition smoother and completely free for those seeking a fresh start away from their partners.
For 25 years, California’s largest independently-owned moving company has played a significant role in combating domestic violence in the state by providing complimentary moving services to individuals in need.
In an inspiring move, they established a coalition in 2015 that has since welcomed eight additional moving companies across the United States to join their cause. The initiative, known as #MoveToEndDV, has motivated over 200 businesses to offer free services to survivors of domestic violence. This includes everything from moving assistance to self-storage, and even security services in three California cities, providing an extra layer of safety during moves.
Last year, Meathead Movers completed an impressive 106 moves related to domestic violence, including eight urgent relocations in their service areas: San Luis Obispo, Ventura County, Orange County, Fresno, and Bakersfield.
Founded by brothers Aaron and Evan Steed, Meathead Movers exemplifies how businesses can make a meaningful impact in their communities through service. “These moves became very personal to us,” Aaron shared in a previous interview. “They made all the employees so proud and became part of our mission statement.”
Aaron’s empathy led to a local moving company in Fort Worth, Texas, reaching out for guidance on how they could provide free services despite financial constraints. He suggested they dedicate one day each month for employees to volunteer their time, which resulted in nearly the entire team stepping up to help.
Now, that company, Veterans Moving America, collaborates with shelters to offer moving services to survivors in Fort Worth, creating a significant positive impact within their community.
Other companies that have joined the #MoveToEndDV initiative 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
These moving companies collaborate with local domestic violence prevention shelters to ensure that individuals requesting a free move are properly supported and screened. This approach not only helps protect victims—regardless of gender—but also safeguards the movers involved.
As Aaron explained, “What’s good about that is they can vet the requests for help, support the women with counseling, and make sure we enter the situation with the appropriate restraining orders or police presence if needed.”
In 2020, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence took over the #MoveToEndDV program, furthering its mission to assist survivors and facilitate positive change.
