Hundreds of warm jackets vanished from Habitat for Humanity Nelson’s Free-Store in just two days during winter, while boxes of books disappear almost as quickly as they can be put out.
The Free-Store, housed in a shipping container outside Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Tāhunanui, gives away donated goods in good condition that are surplus to what the charity needs to sell.
Habitat for Humanity ReStores general manager Liz Davies says the initiative supports the community while keeping usable goods out of landfill.
“It provides us with an opportunity to give some goods that we get donated free back to our community – and we’re able to do that because we’re very generously donated to.”
The Free-Store has operated at the site for about six years and is open during ReStore hours, from 9am to 5.30pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.
Liz says that most items are taken within a day or two.
During the coldest part of winter, about 300 warm jackets were put out over two days and were “snapped up immediately”.
Clothing, shoes and linen are regular offerings, along with books, DVDs and, depending on availability, kitchenware.
“There’s always clothing – adult and children’s clothing and shoes – and there’s always linen,” Liz says.
The Free-Store also receives excess stock from the Motueka store. Clothing is placed in bins in a covered area beside the shipping container, with Liz estimating they are topped up multiple times daily.
Books are another popular item, with about two to five banana boxes added each day – and they don’t last long.
The charity estimates the Free-Store distributes about 20,000 individual items each month.
Liz says that people use the goods in a variety of ways.
Some take items for themselves, while others wash and repair clothing before reselling it at markets to earn a small income. Students also use items for school and university projects, repurposing clothing and other goods into something new.
“We feel that the community really appreciate it. People find another purpose for these things.”
Customers regularly tell staff about their favourite finds.
“All the time we get customers who come in and say, ‘Oh, I found this great thing in the Free-Store’, like it amazes them,” Liz says.
“Just because it’s free doesn’t mean its rubbish. It just means it’s been donated in excess of what we need to sell.”
Liz says that finding a second use for donated items also helps reduce waste.
“This stuff would possibly have to be put it in the landfill otherwise… and we try and limit what we put in the landfill.”
Liz they have around 200 volunteers across their stores.
“Our community really supports us in a big, big way.”
All proceeds from the ReStore support Habitat for Humanity Nelson’s work providing affordable housing across the Nelson and Tasman regions.
