Looking for a neat piece of furniture or décor to liven up your place while helping the environment and charity? Habitat for Humanity’s Midland ReStore has you covered.
“Shopping at ReStore is a socially conscious decision,” explains Jane Clark, Director, People and Culture, for Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North.
“Our customers tell us they feel good about supporting Habitat builds and knowing that 100 per cent of the revenue from a purchase through the ReStore helps support the operation of our not-for-profit organization and its impact in our communities.”
ReStores offer a range of household items as well as individual gently-used and brand-new corporate donations of everything from appliances, large furniture pieces, lighting, window, doors and décor.
Clark says donors tell them they appreciate so many things the organization does for them, including the ability to access a full range of hard-to-find items at a fraction of the retail price and the opportunity to divest themselves of non-working appliances, e-waste and scrap metal (knowing that, otherwise, these items will be diverted from landfill).
There’s also the free donation pickup service, in which donors can take advantage.
“One of our most popular services is our salvage operation,” Clark says.
“ReStore staff and volunteers will remove your re-sellable kitchen cupboards, counters and fixtures for free; leaving a blank canvas for installation of your new kitchen.
“Our donors and our customers also appreciate our team. We’ve got a great group of staff and volunteers who love what they do, and it shows.”
But beyond offering the opportunity to give a second life to donated goods, diverting items from landfill and a great shopping experience, the Midland ReStore is a key part of a larger organization.
Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North is currently building two energy-efficient, universally accessible homes that will provide two Midland area families with a hand up.
“Every Habitat build realizes $175,000 in benefits to the local community, and we’re pretty proud of that,” Clark adds.
Located on Balm Beach Road, the Midland ReStore is one of five stores in the Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North (OGN) affiliate. Amalgamated in 2014, OGN is a not-for-profit housing organization that believes everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live.
“ReStores are social enterprises,” says Clark, who notes the first ReStore in the world opened in Winnipeg 30 years ago.
“We mobilize communities to help working, lower income families build strength, stability and self-reliance through affordable home ownership.”
Clark says the Midland ReStore is an important contributor to that overall plan, which involves the help of volunteers, donors and community partners and has led to the construction of more than 50 homes for families, including over 40 children, across the regional network.
And for those thinking of donating or buying something, Clark says there are other advantages besides the chance to feel good that you’re doing something positive for the community.
“We provide tax receipts for donated items for the assessed sale value and we offer all our merchandise at no tax,” she says.
“That means, the price you see is the price you pay. And every month we do a rotation of our stock pricing, ensuring that older items on the floor are discounted.”
For more information, visit www.habitatgatewaynorth.com.
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