Tom Ryan, Store Manager at Kansas City ReStore, Martin City (left) and Graham Power, Sales representing Canaan Stone Works (right)
~ “Working with others to get things done. Dedicating time to help build our community helps put other things into perspective.” Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City Volunteer~
Habitat for Humanity is built on the vision, “A world where everyone has a decent place to live.” With this article, we hope to educate and bring awareness to Habitat for Humanity and how Restore helps fund their mission. https://habitatkc.org/restore/
Last October the newest and largest of Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City ReStores four locations officially opened to the public. This 46,000 sq. ft. store offers the public incredible value on new and gently used home building materials, furniture and appliances. In addition, through the sale of these donations, they help fund Habitat Kansas City’s affordable housing programs for low – medium income families in Western Jackson, Clay, Platte, Leavenworth, Wyandotte and Johnson counties.
Habitat for Humanity, one of the most recognized non-profits in the world, believes affordable housing is critical in building strong, stable families and communities. Studies show lack of affordable housing impacts health, education, jobs and city crime rates. More than half of all adults say they’ve had to make one or more trade-offs in order to pay their rent or mortgage. A trade-off can include taking a second job, cutting back on health care and healthy food, and moving to less safe neighborhoods. Through material donations, volunteering and shopping at ReStore everyone can help families right here in Kansas City achieve strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.
Stepping into ReStore is like walking into a big box home improvement store. Overhead signage guides the shoppers to various “departments.” These include doors, windows, bath fixtures, lighting, furniture, etc. Need a major appliance? You may find just the one you need. All items are tested to ensure working order. Remember though if you miss a day you might miss a deal, inventory is donated and many are one-of-a-kind pieces.
“We are always looking for donations,” Stated David Krumboholz, Vice President of Habitat Kansas City ReStore. “Our biggest competitor is the dumpster. We work diligently to reach out to remodeling contractors, builders and residents in the Kansas City Area. Our goal is to increase awareness of the building and home materials that can be donated and resold in our ReStore which ultimately benefits the community.”
Kansas City NARI members are huge supporters of ReStore. These contractors, working with homeowners, often salvage items such as cabinets, sinks and windows out of a remodeled home and donate them to ReStore. Multiple NARI members were instrumental in helping to rehab the Martin City location. As part of Habitat Kansas City ReStores partnership with KC NARI they included a Future Funds training room to help educate and promote careers in the remodeling industry and build awareness to future ReStore donors. A win-win for both organizations.
Businesses and individuals alike benefit from donating discontinued or excess stock, gently used lights, furniture, sinks or other building materials to ReStore. Donations are tax-deductible and last year 13.5 million pounds of usable material was diverted from Kansas City landfills. If your donation is too large or bulky to drop off at one of their four locations, they offer free pickup. Click here for a complete list of acceptable items.
You’ve heard the expression, “It takes a village.” With the help of Kansas City supporters we can alleviate the more than 13,000 people waiting for affordable housing right here in Kansas City. Businesses such as Sprint, Cerner, and area colleges send teams of volunteers to ReStore. Every Tuesday Sherwood Autism Center arrive at ReStore with smiles and willing hands. Cerner encourages employees to utilize their 40-hour sabbatical volunteering at ReStore. A store this size utilizes volunteers and groups to help sort, organize and work to display the thousands of items donated. They are always looking for and welcome volunteers.
This kitchen located in the breakroom at ReStore consists of donated products and materials.
The team at CSW is proud to support Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City through in-kind donations and volunteer efforts at ReStore. Habitat Kansas City is thankful to all the Kansas City NARI members who share in their mission: bringing people together to help build homes, communities and hope.
NARI members and individual businesses who have donated time and materials to the ReStore in Martin City, located at 13531 Wyandotte St. Kansas City, MO 64145, include:
The Bath & Kitchen Idea Center by Grandview Winnelson
United Heating Cooling Plumbing
CSW | 4851 S. 13th St., Leavenworth, KS 66048 | 23764 W. 82nd Terr., Shawnee, KS 66227
PH: Leavenworth: (913)351-3500 | Shawnee: (913)214-1174 | www.cswkc.net