Habitat’s ReStore has it all: shop, donate, volunteer, recycle, help Habitat’s mission!

Well-meaning individuals struggling to pay their most basic household bills find it difficult to donate to charities or help with the “green” movement in such a tough economy. Thankfully, Habitat’s ReStore enables individuals to accomplish all three: save money, eliminate substandard housing in Columbus, and keep household items and building materials out of landfills. The ReStore sells new and gently used donated household items at deeply discounted prices to the general public.  All of the funds raised go to support Habitat’s mission of eliminating substandard housing by offsetting the administrative costs of Habitat for Humanity- Greater Columbus and directly contributing to the building funds.

The St. Thomas More Newman Center, a Catholic church located on OSU’s campus, has played an integral role in the success of Habitat’s ReStore. They have been involved with the ReStore even before the store moved to its current location just three miles Southwest of Easton.  Key volunteers like Chuck O’Connor, coordinate the Habitat Ministry at the Newman Center which aids the ReStore by providing transportation to and from the store for volunteers. O’Connor says that the Newman Center works to promote volunteerism, especially among the local student population. “Donations for the ReStore are by word of mouth but seldom a month goes by that neighbors don’t drop off donation items for me to bring to the ReStore.”

The ReStore is located at 3140 Westerville Rd. and is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 6pm. The household items are sold at discounts near 50% off the retail price. Not only are the items a great value for shoppers, but the ReStore diverts an average of 1600 tons of durable materials from entering local landfills each year.

To learn more about what’s for sale, what can be donated, or how you can volunteer, please visit the ReStore website at www.habitatcolumbus.org/restore or the Newman Center website at www.thenewmancenter.net.

Written by: Kristin Stack, HFHGC Volunteer