Thunder Bay Habitat For Humanity ReStore still taking donations at landfill

Despite the cancellation of a program in Thunder Bay that allowed people free trips to the city dump in May, officials with the Habitat For Humanity ReStore say they will still be at the landfill to take donations.

In previous years, the ReStore would be at the city's solid waste and recycling facility during the free period to take donations of furniture that otherwise would be trashed.

Even without the draw of not paying tipping fees, ReStore manager Christa Ayotte said she believes they can still collect a lot of furniture to sell.

"We are going to be out at the landfill on May 14th, 21st and 28th to try and get the information out that instead of putting it at the landfill, they have the option of either donating it at the ReStore, or donating it to us at the landfill on those days," she said.

Ayotte said the organization will promote the days it's at the dump on social media.

She added that being at the landfill during the free week usually meant a lot of donations; last year alone, she said they almost filled up four tractor trailers with items.

Still, she said she feels the organization is making strides in getting its name out into the community.

"It's mostly about getting people aware," she continued. "[Some] people don't know exactly what we do, they don't know that they can donate all of these wonderful things that we sell."

Proceeds from the ReStore go towards Habitat For Humanity's house building projects in Thunder Bay. Ayotte said the store is habitat's largest fundraiser.