Update: Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor Will Be Picking Up Donations

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor is a non-profit organization the helps get families in need get into affordable houses. They have a ReStore storefront on Harlow St. where sell used, good-condition furniture and construction supplies that have been donated. 100% of the proceeds from the store go to building new affordable homes in the area, for qualifying families who might otherwise have a hard time getting into a mortgage.

Like many other stores around the nation, the ReStore had to close when Covid-19 hit. They are hoping to be able to open again some time in June and are working on bolstering their inventory before then. They have, up until this point, been accepting donations by appointment, says Habitat's Board President, Dustin Smiley. And while they are still taking donations by appointment, it's been challenging to coordinate times where donations could be dropped off and then brought inside by ReStore workers (instead of just leaving everything outside in front of the store) while still maintaining the appropriate social distancing. So Smiley and the board have come up with a plan to not only replenish the ReStore's supplies, but also help folks in the greater Bangor area who might be a little behind in their Spring Cleaning!

Smiley is trying to coordinate with area neighborhoods to send a truck around to pick up donations on specific dates, rather than have folks try to make an appointment or wrangle up transportation for their donations. He's hoping to start with his own neighborhood of Fairmount at some point in June. Folks who have large items of furniture or construction supplies can put them out curbside, with a sign that says "For Habitat For Humanity Pick-up." Then, a truck from the ReStore will make the rounds and collect the donations, bringing them back to the ReStore to be sold at a discounted price.

Smiley says he hopes other area neighborhoods will reach out to him to set up times for collections across town. Anyone interested in organizing a pick-up for their area is encouraged to reach out to him, via his email address, dustinsmiley@gmail.com.

He also encourages families who might need help getting into a home, to fill out a questionnaire to see if they qualify for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Bangor's help. You can find that questionnaire at homeowner@habitatbangor.org. Families wanting to be considered must be residents of the greater Bangor area, meet certain income qualifications, and agree to volunteer with the organization to help build a Habitat home (either their own, or another.) Smiley says they currently have 3 condos off Perkins Ave in Old Town available, along with a lot off Pearl St. in Bangor they're hoping to build on, in the future.