How St. John’s residents and businesses pitch in to support Habitat for Humanity

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Wandering down the aisles looking at five-piece bedroom suites, full dining room sets, comfy couches, gleaming stainless steel appliances and hundreds of light fixtures, you’ll realize Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore never has the same stock two days in a row.

“You never know what you’ll find here,” says ReStore manager Jon Rossiter. “It’s always a new adventure.”

In its brightly-lit 7,100 sq. ft. facility on Kenmount Road in St. John’s, the ReStore is Habitat for Humanity’s social enterprise — accepting donations of quality new and used building materials, furniture, appliances and then reselling them to the public for a fraction of market value, with all proceeds supporting local Habitat for Humanity builds.

Some of the items sold in the ReStore are actually in brand-new condition because the ReStore partners with retailers and contractors looking to off-load dead stock, return-to-vendor items or customer returns.

“It helps retailers free up valuable square footage by getting rid of old stock without having to pay to dispose of it, and they also get to feel good about giving back to the community,” says Rossiter.

He says most people don’t realize Habitat for Humanity offers free pick-up for their gently-used items, whether it’s a homeowner with an extra couch they no longer need, a business with extra office furniture or contractor with leftover building materials.

Rossiter says it feels good to know these items going to people who will use them. Instead of winding up in the Robin Hood Bay landfill, each piece sold at the ReStore gets to be “recycled” into a different home or office.

“We really believe in keeping good, usable items in circulation, and having a zero-waste mentality,” says Rossiter. “Plus, every time you shop at the ReStore, you’re supporting affordable home ownership in your community.”

Every dollar made at the ReStore goes directly to Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland & Labrador, which has built more than 60 homes since 1994 for an average of 2-3 full builds each year.

Sandra Whiffen, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity Newfoundland & Labrador, says they’re currently building a two-unit duplex in Happy Valley Goose Bay. If all goes as planned with the construction, two local families will move in by early summer.

“It’s always the community coming together for the build,” says Whiffen. “With the support of volunteers in the community, we’re able to build homes that provide the strength, stability and independence that families need for a better future.”

Habitat for Humanity regularly partners with corporate groups looking for a team-building activity that will make a positive difference in the community. Whiffen says teams always enjoy their time on the job site, and 100 per cent of the company’s donation is invested directly into home building.

Habitat for Humanity’s motto is “You don’t have to lift a hammer to help,” and Whiffen says that’s because there are so many different ways to help — like donating money (to support home builds), donating gently-used furniture or building materials (to be re-sold at the ReStore) or donating your time (by volunteering in the ReStore or at a build).

“Seeing the joy on the families’ faces as they become homeowners for the first time is something you’ll never forget,” says Whiffen. “Access to safe, decent and affordable housing is a basic human right that should be available to everyone.”