Southern California company helps domestic violence victims move for free

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A moving company known as Meathead Movers offers free services to victims of domestic violence as an effort to help them get back on their feet.

The company hires many former and current college athletes as movers and this year, it began a new partnership with the Good Shepherd Center in Los Angeles to move these families for free.

Amanda Gibson is the executive director for the transitional center, which helps women and children recover from domestic violence, and she said once families are able to leave, they must find a way to pay for the expensive move to a new home.

"A $1,000 to rent a U-Haul and all the things you need to move, and that can often start them out in a deficit," she said.

Helping victims of domestic violence is in the company's mission statement, and employees are trained to work with these families with compassion and care.

"It's really so heartwarming to hear those stories and the movers, they love it. They're more than happy to get out there and help them," said Mary Dundon from Meathead Movers.

While loading boxes may seem like a simple gesture, Gibson said it not only saves the families money, but it helps them start over with renewed confidence.

"There's just really no better way to use moving services in my eyes, than to help somebody get out of a bad situation," said Hunter Baird an employee of the company.

The company is issuing a challenge. It wants 1,000 other businesses to offer free services to victims of domestic violence, then post the stories to the Meathead Movers Facebook page.

"They're worthy individuals, and they can go through the process of leaving a shelter with dignity because of Meathead Movers," Gibson said.

For more information, visit www.meatheadmovers.com.