Keith Harris volunteers at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Restore. An avid collector of old vinyl records, Harris enjoys rummaging through the albums that people donate to add to his valuable collection; and on most days, he can find much more at the ReStore.
 
The Valdosta-Lowndes County site is one of nearly 900 ReStores located across the nation, where folks like Harris may purchase merchandise that directly impacts HFH’s mission to provide strong and stable homes in the community.
 
ReStore is a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and gently used furniture, home accessories, building materials, and appliances to the public at a fraction of the retail price. The purpose of the ReStore is to generate funds for new Habitat Homes, provide a community center for donations from local people and businesses, and to provide inexpensive construction materials to the local community.
 
Harris said he feels good to know he’s directly impacting someone’s ability to move into a new home.
 
“Instead of throwing something away, why not give it to someone else who can use it for good,” he said. “Everyone can use a hand up.”
 
And, it’s not all used items, said Brad Barham, who has managed the locally-owned and operated ReStore in Valdosta for more than two years. As ReStore manager, Barham has the responsibility of receiving donated items from individuals and businesses in the community, shelving them, and ultimately selling them for the greater purpose.
 
“We take as much as we can to keep it from going into the landfill and to provide the necessary funding to help build more homes,” said Barham. “We take just about any non-perishable useful item that we can safely store in the warehouse environment.”
 
“Anything” means doors, furniture, carpet, shelving, applicants, building supplies, etc. Barham makes acceptances now and then for items such as pillows and mattresses, if they are new or in good shape and he feels they will sell quickly.
 
Barham said he sells a lot to people who maintain rental properties, who need flooring, cabinets or carpet, for instance, replaced in between tenants. Nevertheless, people come in for various reasons; sometimes, it’s just to get a good deal on a hard find.
 
What’s the most unusual items he’s seen? Barham said that ReStore sees a lot of Moody personnel who arrive in Valdosta from all around the world and, soon after, discover they don’t want all the stuff they shipped here with them.
 
“We never know what we will have from day to day, and people actually come in regularly just to browse what’s come in recently,” said Barham, who sets the prices and has even been known to allow customers to bargain for a good deal. “If we have it, they will buy it.”
 
On any given day, thousands of items line the shelves and aisles of ReStore in a clean and organized manner. However, Barham is concerned about how sales and profits at the ReStore have dropped over the years and its overall impact on the community.
 
“Everything we make goes into our operation and construction costs,” said Barham. “If we don’t have the money, we can’t build houses; or, we have to build less houses. It’s a difficult situation to be in.”
 
No one understands this situation better than Executive Director Molly Ferrier.
 
“Our staff and volunteers invite members of the community to visit the Habitat ReStore for their household and remodeling needs,” said Ferrier. “When you purchase furniture, building supplies and other items at ReStore, that money is used to help another family who needs a decent, affordable place to live. A decent home provides the strength, stability and independence that a lot of families in our community—and communities across America—need. That’s something we all can feel good about.”
 
According to Ferrier, HFH homeowners pay an affordable mortgage, receive financial education and help build their homes alongside volunteers.
 
Your financial support will help families continue building with Habitat in your community and around the world.
 
“Habitat for Humanity builds much more than houses. Together, we’re helping build families,” said Ferrier. “All donations of time, money and other resources help build strength, stability and self-reliance in our local community.”