Movers and Co. launches community giveback program

Christian Santos launched Movers and Co., LLC in Lancaster in 2017 and has been building the family-owned moving business one move at a time.

“Most of the moves we do are local, but we do go out-of-state at times,” Santos said, “We’re full-service, which means we offer packing, moving and storage services. We do both commercial and residential moves.”

The full-service moving company serves Lancaster, York and Harrisburg areas. Information on the company’s website indicates that Movers and Co. has moved  over 4,000 families since its inception.

To give back to the community that has supported the company, Santos introduced Move it Forward in February. “We live here. We work here. Our customers are our neighbors,” he said adding that the company also participates in local food drives.

Through the Move It Forward initiative, Movers and Co. donates one local move a month to a Lancaster family in need. The origin and destination must be within 20 miles and within Lancaster County. The move is for standard household items only, which excludes pianos, gun safes or items over 300 lbs., and items must be packed and boxes sealed before the crew arrives. The move must be to a permanent address; not a storage unit, and must be done on a weekday. Move It Forward includes three movers for up to three hours. To date, the company has assisted three families.

“If you’re in this business long enough, you meet people in all situations. If the cost is the reason someone can’t get out of a bad situation, we remove that barrier. I think giving should be something you do year-round, not just at the Holidays. Through the Move It Forward program, I hope I can inspire someone to come up with their own idea to help other people ,” Santos said.

Churches and community centers help identify families who are in need of assistance. There’s also a nomination form on the company’s website: moversandcompany.com. Santos said the family the company assists through Move It Forward receives the same full-service move and attention to detail as other customers. “Our moving crew isn’t aware that there’s no charge for the move,” he said.

In its day-to-day work, Movers and Co. also moves bulky single items. “There are items you shouldn’t move yourself such as pianos and pool tables. We are experts in moving big, bulky items; we not only have the muscle, but we have the right equipment,” he said.

Movers and Co. has a core staff of 11, but during the busy season, which Santos said is March through September, seasonal staff, including students, is added. He said packing may look like a simple task, but it’s ‘more than just putting things in boxes’. He said it’s important to use packing materials and pads so items and furniture aren’t damaged. “We are always training our staff,” Santos said.