Donation Drop-Off Begins at Habitat for Humanity’s New ReStore Location

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.  (KEYT) - Moving quickly after signing a lease, Habitat for Humanity in Southern Santa Barbara County is starting to fill what will be its new ReStore.

Beginning today, March 16th, items can be dropped off by the public to the back loading dock the corner of 400 State Street at Gutierrez Street in Santa Barbara. There, the staff will evaluate the items and get them ready for sale when the store officially opens this summer.

The donation drop off times are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There is a street location and a drop off driveway in the back with staff to help.

Jessica de L'Arbe is the Habitat for Humanity of Southern Santa Barbara County CEO. She says, "it isn't easy but it is  fun, inspiring and exciting. We know the community has wanted the store back for a really long time."

The site is 8000 square feet. Half of the store will be the display area and sales. The back half will be receiving and sorting. "We are going to have a ton of volunteers helping us build out the shelving the tables, the space and volunteer architects who are helping us measure the store," she said.

There was a ReStore in Goleta until 2020 in an out of the way location. This address is expected to get higher foot traffic and many vehicles drive by as well. Combined that is good awareness for the storefront.

Next door was the former Staples location. UC Santa Barbara will be moving in there with a still to be determined used of the space for programs but Habitat hopes there will be some collaborations.

For now it is about getting the public to donate.

"Let's take a couple of months, let's collect some amazing things and to engage the community  so when we open this summer we can  get to shopping, " said de L'Arbe.

In the big picture the money raised will go back into the community to help those who need to repair or rebuild on a limited budget with the help of Habitat. "We really want to focus on our mission and where    the proceeds for the store go to building and repairing affordable housing."    

Habitat says acceptable donations include:

• Air conditioning & heating units (working units less than 8 years old)
• Appliances: major & small (less than 8 years old, must be uninstalled and disconnected)
• Artificial grass
• Dishwashers (2014 and newer)
• Doors: exterior or interior (no flat slab or hollow doors. 24”, 28”, 30”, 32”, 36” doors only)
• Exercise equipment (5 years or newer)
• Flooring (min. 300 sq. ft., must be palletized and wrapped, no more than 2 ft. high)
• Furniture (no broken or missing pieces)
• Home Goods (must be packed into boxes)
• Hot water heaters (2014 and newer)
• Laminate flooring (min. 300 sq. ft., must be palletized and wrapped, no more than 2 ft. high)

Donations that are not accepted are:

• Anything broken, damaged or missing parts
• Box springs/ Mattresses
• Carpet
• Carpet padding
• Children’s items, toys and books
• Clothes/Shoes
• Desks over 5 ft. long (“L” or “U” shaped)
• Drop-in bathtubs
• Large Entertainment Centers
• Large office furniture (conference tables
• Large filing cabinets, large bookcases)
• Industrial light fixtures
• Non-matching dining chairs
• Paint
• Roofing tiles
• Scrap lumber (under 6 ft.)
  

For more information go to restore@SBHabitat.org

(More details, photos and video will be added here later today.)

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