PATHWAYS PROFILE
Community Forklift... ...continued from page 9
The CBB program provides grants to organizations and nonprofits, including schools and community groups. Whether assisting Homes Not Borders in furnishing refugee housing with the essentials and creature comforts that turn an apartment into a home, helping Cher- okee Lane Elementary School build a food pantry, or providing gar- dening tools to Colmar Manor Community Gardens, these programs lift up our communities and neighbors with mini grants of free sal- vaged materials. Since 2011, Community Forklift has provided over $470,000 worth of materials to over 1,000 organizations.
than sending them to a landfill, then find something they do want or need in the exact same warehouse. This could be tile, cabinetry, furni- ture, lighting fixtures, appliances, or quirkier items, like a church altar reused as a kitchen island or a life-size equine statue. People often don’t realize that just because they’re ready to move on from some - thing like kitchen cabinetry or interior doors, that doesn’t mean that item has reached the end of its lifespan. It may have decades of useful life left — if it’s donated into the right hands. The mindset has to shift from use-discard to use-donate-reuse. “Our goal is to keep home parts and home goods out of the landfill and in use to their full potential. Quality materials are donated, pur- chased, reused, and can even at times be re-donated later in a con- tinuous cycle,” says Communications Director Scott Buga. Donating and shopping for salvaged items allows homeowners to find building materials and tools needed to update and repair their homes without sacrificing sustainability and the resources needed to create, manufac - ture, and ship new materials. Those quality materials have staying power, because they’re well made and often constructed from old growth or rare woods that are hard-to-come by and incredibly desirable in restoration circles. They can be refinished and reused. These are the items that Community Forklift welcomes with open arms. “We have an emphasis on quality materials that are easy to reuse or are no longer widely available,” says Director of Donations, Tom Patzkowski, who explains that some of the most sought after materials are those that are no longer available. “Some rare tree species that were once abundant in our ancient forests, like American Chestnut or Heart Pines, are sought after to match or repair existing woodwork and for their exceptional properties. Someone’s castoffs can often turn out to be truly unique ” Antique and vintage house parts are also a favorite of the old house crowd who finds their way to Community Forklift. From vintage lum - ber to century-old fireplace mantels, these items are often discarded during renovations, but there is always someone eager to snap up these irreplaceable pieces. Impact Beyond Redecorating While Community Forklift’s reputation is known among thrifters and DIYers throughout the region, its work and warehouse enable an even more powerful impact. Not only do the below market prices meet the community where they are, the sales make social impact-oriented work possible. Community Forklift has two programs, the Home Essentials Pro- gram (HELP) and the Community Building Blocks Program (CBB), which, together, have distributed over $1 million in free materials to individuals in need and community groups while working with over 1,000 partner organizations. Through these two programs, Communi - ty Forklift works to give those in our community who are most in need access to a comfortable space. The HELP program recognizes there are people who are on a limit - ed income, but who are physically able to stay in their homes — as long as those homes are both comfortable and functional. HELP is there for people like Mrs. C, a woman who works part time while also serving as a caretaker for her husband, a heart patient. Trips to the laundro- mat were difficult on her already limited schedule, and Community Forklift provided her with a gently-used washing machine. It was a lifesaver for Ms. M, an 86-year-old resident of DC’s Ward 7 whose refrigerator stopped functioning, and who received a gently-used one, delivered by the Community Forklift team.
Make Your Own Impact Anyone can donate furnishings, appliances, materials, and funds to Community Forklift, and the reuse warehouse is always in need of supplies that can be redistributed to the community. High quality, reusable items are always in demand, especially kitchen cabinet sets and gently used vintage and modern solid wood furniture that can be refinished. Newer, mid-range appliances are critical for HELP recipients, es- pecially window and in-room AC units, kitchen appliances such as refrigerators and countertop microwaves, washing machines, and dryers. These items often have a waitlist and, while Community Fork- lift does accept donations of newer high-end luxury appliances, new- er mid-range appliances are more useful for someone trying to bring their home up to working order through the HELP program. Items can be dropped off during daily warehouse hours or picked up through coordination with Community Forklift’s donations team. The Next Chapter for Community Forklift The home industry shows no signs of slowing down, and Commu- nity Forklift will continue to be there to encourage sustainability and the reuse, repurposing, and redistribution of home materials. “Our impact is directly driven by those in our community. From the items and funds donated to the items shopped and reused, our reuse warehouse makes the work that we do through HELP and CBB possi- ble. We know firsthand the critical importance of a comfortable home, and thanks to the incredibly engaged community in the DC area, we’re able to continue to serve those who also deserve to live in a place they proudly can call their own,” says Executive Director Trey Davis. Community Forklift accepts donations at their reuse warehouse every day during business hours, Monday to Friday, 12pm to 5pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 5pm. All photos courtesy of Community Forklift. www. communityforklift.org
24—PATHWAYS—Spring 24
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