Meathead Movers Goes Above and Beyond Helping Domestic Abuse Victims

Moving is never fun, in part because dealing with a moving company is not always the most pleasant experience. But when one has to move quickly, there may not be much of a choice, especially for those suffering from domestic violence.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), approximately 10 million people a year are physically abused by a spouse or partner in the United States, or one person every three seconds. Every nine seconds, a woman is assaulted or beaten.

For some of these victims, help is mercifully on the way thanks to Meathead Movers, a California moving company that has been in business for 18 years. The company was founded by two brothers, Aaron and Evan Sneed, who at one time were student-athletes trying to figure out how they could pay for their college tuition. What started as a small outfit manned by the Sneed brothers and some friends has since expanded to Los Angeles, Orange County and Fresno, California.

Employing student athletes exclusively, the company now runs about 5,000 moves a year and says it is the largest independent moving company in California. The company does not franchise and also insists it screens all of its employees thoroughly, from repeated interviews to extensive background checks.

One particular incident early in the company’s history inspired Meathead Movers to take on a problem that occurs still too often in our society. The company has a policy to help victims of domestic abuse move out of any dangerous situation -- for free. Partnering with seven domestic violence shelters, those suffering at the hands of a violent spouse or partner will receive help in moving where the company has operations, from Fresno as far south as San Diego. All of the shelters screen victims who request a free move, work with local law enforcement officials to ensure the move will occur as safely as possible, and work to ensure those needing to flee an abusive relationship are helped throughout the entire transition. And again, the move is completely free for the victim.

To raise awareness, Meathead Movers is participating in a national pledge drive to end domestic violence. Using the hashtag #MoveToEndDV, the company is active on social media channels including Twitter. Meathead Movers also encourages friends and family members to contact the company in event they have a loved one stuck in a dangerous situation and are not sure how they could help.

Between hiring students so that they can pay their way through school, and taking on a problem with which many of us are painfully aware, but are not sure how to stop, this ambitious company is going above and beyond corporate social responsibility and, in every sense, is a true social enterprise.

Image credit: Meathead Movers Facebook Page