About 30 nonprofit groups gathered at the county warehouse to receive free desks, chairs, bookshelves, tables, binders and other furniture, equipment and office supplies on Thursday.
The groups took advantage of the Cabarrus County Surplus Giveaway, which is held when the warehouse is full, and space is needed, said Pete Pasterz, waste reduction coordinator for the county.
He said giving the items away to nonprofit groups allows the county to prevent them from ending up in the landfill while also giving back to the organizations.
“It’s a way for us to help support nonprofit organizations that provide services to county residents,” Pasterz said. “They are providing services that go beyond the county’s ability or expertise.”
The giveaway was for all qualified nonprofit groups, which had to provide their IRS Determination Letter and also had to turn in a waiver and form at the giveaway, listing what items they took and agreeing that they were now responsible for those items.
This surplus giveaway included items from the Sheriff’s Office, the old jail, the District Attorney’s office and the former Board of Elections building, Pasterz said.
At the last giveaway, held in August 2011, there were less than five nonprofit groups there, Pasterz said.
He attributed the increase in organizations at this giveaway to media coverage.
Bobbi Hague, secretary for Logan Optimist Club, said she thought it had to do with the economy.
“Organizations can’t afford to buy things,” Hague said. “Anytime we can have something donated, we take it.”
She said Logan Optimist was hoping to find bookcases, but the ones there were already tagged by another group once representatives from Logan Optimist arrived. The group was able to get some chairs it needed, though.
Because the group was able to get these items for free, it will be able to use its money for other things and help local children, Hague said.
“It’s great the county is able to do this,” Hague said. “It really makes a difference being able to get this stuff without having to pay for it and keeping it out of the landfill.”
Thompson Child & Family Focus was at the giveaway for the first time and able to get a desk and chair for a newly hired staff member.
Jodi Hearn, manager of accounts receivable for the group, said the staff members had previously reached out to their friends and families to try to obtain office furniture and was excited when it heard about the giveaway.
“We are just glad about the opportunity,” Hearn said.
There were quite a few groups who were at the giveaway for the first time, Pasterz said.
Another of those groups was Cabarrus Rangers, a history preservation organization.
Larry Welch, commander of the group, said the organization had to learn quickly how to navigate through the giveaway and was looking for a couple of desks and chairs for its future building.
“We wouldn’t need things a lot of people are coming for,” Welch said. “We are trying to get together a few odd things.”
Cabarrus Rangers was able to acquire a table, desk and chairs.
While some groups said they were disappointed to find items they wanted were already taken when they got to the giveaway, they said they were planning on coming to the next one when the warehouse fills up again and said they appreciated the opportunity to receive the items.
“It’s God sent,” Welch said. “To know the county is doing something like this, it means a lot.”
Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
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