Houston ReStore receives big donation

True Value donated over $350,000 in merchandise to the Houston Habitat for Humanity ReStore, a nonprofit home improvement store and donation center that sells new and slightly used furniture, building materials, home accessories and other items for a fraction of retail prices.

The donation came following the co-op’s three-day Reunion in Houston. The company has been partnering with Habitat for Humanity since 2008.

On Feb. 21 – the last day of the trade show – nearly 150 volunteers from Houston Habitat visited the George R. Brown Convention Center to fill truckloads of donated paint, home goods, lighting fixtures, hardware and various DIY materials.

The ReStore is open to the general public, but designed to assist people and families in need. Proceeds from the ReStore help Houston Habitat build more homes for hard-working, low-income families.

The Houston ReStore is the second largest in the United States, with 30,000 square feet of retail floor space. It accepts used and slightly damaged items to resell, but it also sells brand new items—automatically knocking 50 percent off of their retail price.

“Our primary targets are people who can’t afford nicer items and are just trying to get by,” said Matt Murphy, warehouse & communications manager for Houston’s ReStore. “For example, if they have four kids and can’t afford to get a broken dishwasher fixed, they can come to us. If we’re having a sale, they could get a gently used one for as little as $10.”