OLD TOWN, Maine — Welcome to Housing Home Goods Bank Inc., an Old Town based nonprofit that collects and donates home essentials to people in need, will be able to continue its mission with the help of a grant.
“For right now, this has been a godsend,” Welcome to Housing founder Christopher Olsen said.
The nonprofit received a $6,500 grant from Versant Power to cover truck rental costs to bring people the larger furniture they need.
“We get calls every single day of, 'Oh, we're downsizing,' or, 'Oh, so and so has passed away, and they have a lot of nice things they want you to have to give out for free,'” Olsen said.
The organization provides dishes, cookware, towels, bedding, decorations, adaptive equipment, and more, all at no cost.
“People do need it desperately, they need it now,” donor Anita Haskell said.
Welcome to Housing helps more than 1,000 people a year get back on their feet, including people moving from shelters to permanent housing, escaping domestic violence, displaced by disasters, and immigrants and veterans.
“When I think of the things that these people are going through, it's heartbreaking. But to know that we can be there to give them a hand-up is a great feeling,” Olsen said.
The Home Goods Bank is for anyone who needs it, including the nonprofit’s volunteers.
“I've utilized it for my kids when they were younger and moved into their place. I was able to come here and get dishes for my son, so that was a blessing,” volunteer Virginia Oakes said.
Oakes is a co-lead at Welcome to Housing and is also the president of Cuts for Christ, a nonprofit that gives free haircuts and hygiene products to people in need.
Her organization is now based out of the Home Goods Bank warehouse.
“I’m so excited that we can do that,” Oakes said. “It expands how we are going to be able to reach the community.”
Rebecca Adams first started volunteering at Welcome to Housing to secure government benefits while she was in a wheelchair and wasn’t able to work.
“It was just food on the table, to get benefits, to be able to help me eat, feed my family,” Adams said.
Once she received those benefits, though, she kept going. Adams said the joy on people’s faces when they receive what they need is a gift.
“I was able to open the door and help other people and put their minds at ease so that they didn't have to worry,” Adams said.
According to Olsen, the items they need most at the Home Goods Bank right now are towels, bedding, and cookware.
If you would like to donate or would like to pick up some household goods, you can call or text 207-200-5524.