Habitat for Humanity moves ReStore sales online

It's a way to spruce up your home and help those in need. Habitat for Humanity has had to pivot its ReStore online due to the pandemic.

Community Outreach Associate, Tom Bileski, appeared on The Mike Farwell Show on 570 NEWS on Wednesday.

“Every purchase helps us build houses. It doesn't have to be any more difficult than that, the revenues we gain help pay our admin fees and help cover the costs of running the build sites, our stores and our offices.”

Residents can shop from both the Waterloo and Cambridge store through the e-commerce platform.

Bileski said it's been a slow and steady process, but he's glad that they can still operate through the pandemic.

“We've had a steady flow of visitors to the website, and we've had orders each day since we opened. So, it's a slow start – but it's a manageable start.”

For anyone purchasing items through the online ReStore, orders will abide COVID-19 protocols.

“There will be a spot out front at our receiving doors, there will be a table with sanitary equipment, there will be a phone number to call, people will be masked – we ask that you wear a mask when picking the product up. We would bring it out from the store, put it on the table, retreat back into the store, and they can pick the product up.”

Bileski said regulations don't allow them to load items into people's trunks, “If it's a big item – we ask that you bring help to load it into your car.”

Drop-off donations currently can't be accepted due to COVID-19 as well.