In 2006, in a shared building in West Allis, the Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity ReStore was born. In just eight years, the ReStore has expanded into two stores/donation centers and has grown into an integral funding source for Milwaukee Habitat’s work in the community.ReStore donors now get the opportunity to see first-hand the impact of their donated building supplies and home furnishings. Thanks to the generosity of Milwaukee area donors, ReStore will be helping to transform a vacant, city-owned foreclosure into a safe, decent home.
During this year’s June Blitz Build (June 17-21), the ReStore will combine its mission and its passion for reuse by sponsoring a complete rehab home in Washington Park neighborhood. Over the course of the week, approximately 35 ReStore staff and volunteers will be setting aside their appliance dollies and putting on their hard hats in order to help recycle a vacant foreclosed property into a place one local family can be proud to call home. Not only is this an opportunity for ReStore to work side-by-side with Habitat partner families, it is also a chance for Habitat families and its supporters to get to know one of the organization’s greatest assets.
ReStores provide funds for Habitat for Humanity by selling new and donated building materials and household items to the public. Merchandise is sold at greatly reduced prices and all profits go to support homeownership for hard-working local families, while keeping good, reusable items in use. Every year, the ReStore diverts more than 1,000,000 pounds of materials from local landfills, and constantly strives tofind new ways to reduce the environmental impact of home improvement while saving customers money.
Through the resale of donated furniture, appliances, cabinets and more, ReStore products get a new life. With those proceeds, this home and many more in Milwaukee’s Washington Park neighborhood will be able to do same.
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“The impact is amazing:” Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity kicks off Blitz Build (Fox6, 6/18/14)