Program Information

SEICAA Meals on Wheels has partnered with CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services), allowing you to turn your vehicles into funds. CARS is the largest nonprofit vehicle donation provider and a trusted partner to over 3,500 other nonprofits in North America. CARS also provides transportation independence to thousands of seniors in the San Diego community by operating a free shuttle program called On the Go. Visit CARS’ official website for more information.

What are the benefits of donating my vehicle to SEICAA Meals on Wheels?

Besides being a unique and impactful giving option that can help fund meals, human contact programs, and other services offered by SEICAA Meals on Wheels, vehicle donations:

  • Are easy and the pick-up is free;
  • Skip the costs and hassles associated with selling a car, like paying for advertising and insurance, or for car repairs to keep your car in running condition while you wait for a buyer;
  • Avoids the costs associated with keeping a car, such as registration, insurance, car repairs, and more;
  • Free up space at home and/or stop paying for extra parking;
  • Are better than a low trade-in offer.
  • Are tax-deductible, and you could reduce your taxable income when taxes are itemized.
  • Make a difference in your community.

Your unwanted car, truck, boat, motorcycle, SUV, or even your plane can be accepted as a donation. Your generosity qualifies for a tax deduction and CARS will do all the heavy lifting!

Program Guidelines

CARS guides donors throughout the entire donation process and provides a free and convenient pick-up. There is no cost to donors. All vehicles are considered for donation (running or not), including cars, trucks, trailers, boats, RVs, motorcycles, campers, off-road vehicles, planes, heavy equipment, farm machinery, and most other motorized vehicles. Vehicle donations must be in one piece and towable, have an engine, and be tow truck accessible. To find out if CARS can accept your vehicle, please complete a secure online vehicle donation form (linked below), or call CARS during regular hours of operation.

How to Donate

Donors Call 844-411-5768 or Submit the Online Form: CARS’ Vehicle Donor Support Representatives (DSRs) are available seven days a week to answer donor inquiries with an average wait time of 30 seconds or less. At the beginning of the call, the DSR will greet the donor and identify the Meals on Wheels Vehicle Donation Program.

CARS’ Customer Service Hours of Operation:

  • 5:00am – 7:00pm (PT), Mon – Fri
  • 6:00am – 5:00pm (PT), Saturday
  • 8:00am – 4:30pm (PT), Sunday

Donors submit the online vehicle donation form at www.careasy.org/nonprofit/seicaa. Within 48 hours, CARS’ Vehicle Donation Support Team will contact the donor to complete the donation and confirm pick-up information.

Schedule the Free Pick-Up: Vehicles can be picked up just about anywhere in the U.S. Once the donation form has been completed and submitted, a DSR will arrange to have a licensed tow vendor pick up the vehicle and donors will receive a call from the vendor within two to three business days.

SEICAA Meals on Wheels Receives the Proceeds: The entire sale process of each donated vehicle can take approximately up to four to 12 weeks, and then Meals on Wheels receives the proceeds.

Donors Receive a Donation Receipt: Vehicle donations are tax-deductible. An initial donation receipt is provided at the time of the pick-up. If the vehicle sells for $500 or less, donors are mailed a thank-you letter within 30 days of the sale of the vehicle, which serves as a tax receipt. If the vehicle sells for more than $500 and the donor has provided their tax identification number, an IRS Form 1098-C will be mailed to the donor within 30 days of the sale stating the amount of gross proceeds (the maximum amount of the donor’s tax deduction) received from the donation. For specific tax-related questions, donors are advised to consult with their tax advisor.

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