FACTS ABOUT THE FRAMING HOPE PRODUCT DONATION PROGRAM
Who is involved in this program?
Gifts In Kind International is the nonprofit organization that is managing Framing Hope—The Home Depot Community Product Donation Program. The eighth largest charity in the country, Gifts In Kind International works with half of the Fortune 100 companies to distribute new product donations to community nonprofits around the world that are working to enhance, empower and restore communities and people in need. Urban Neighborhoods Alliance was chosen to be the GIKI partner for the Springfield area. Home Depot will be directly donating their products to UNA.
What kind of items will be donated from participating Home Depot stores?
The items available for donation may include building supplies and materials, plumbing products and assorted home improvement and cleaning items. Donated products will include returns, buybacks and end-of-season inventory.
How long does the program last?
Participating nonprofits agree to participate in the program for at least one year. UNA will have the opportunity to renew their membership should we choose to do so.
Approximately how much product will be donated to UNA in the course of the 12-month period?
There is no guarantee as to how much we will receive. However, UNA can expect to receive an estimated 1-3 pallets of donated products for each pick-up. Pick-ups may take place on a weekly basis.
When will the program begin?
This program should start no later than June 1, but it is likely to begin sooner.
What are UNA’s guidelines for using the donations?
Participating nonprofits must abide by Federal Tax Code 170(e)3 and use the products ONLY to help the poor, the sick and children. According to the law, nonprofits CANNOT sell or auction the donated products.
How will UNA distribute these donations?
Currently, members of UNA’s Board of Directors are considering the manner in which staff will distribute the donated goods to our residents. We anticipate storing the product in a warehouse and opening it to the public on a regular basis.
How can I receive a donated product from UNA?
UNA will likely post the specific goods on its website upon receiving the items. That way neighborhood residents can see if anything interests them. UNA will also likely post a set time and date so that residents can show up at the storage facility to obtain the desired product. UNA anticipates offering these goods on a first come, first served basis.
Who should I contact with a question/concern/opinion?
Neighborhood residents may call the UNA office at 865-4774, or contact the neighborhood representative who is serving on the sub-committee for establishing UNA’s donating guidelines. The following Board members will be meeting soon to determine how UNA will proceed with this program. They are Fr. Denis Dougherty of Grant Beach, Jerry Miller of Midtown, Bob Grand of West Central, and Jeff Jones of Woodland Heights.
How can I help?
UNA will need to secure use of dock-height (36” bed minimum) truck(s) to pick up the donated items. Also, a pallet jack will be useful in moving the items after picking them up from Home Depot.
Is there a website I can visit to learn more?
Yes, you can visit https://thd.giftsinkind.org/homedepot/default.aspx for more information.
Operating Guidelines
Should we incorporate volunteers from the neighborhoods, and if so, how? The committee feels the staff should be the primary workers in the program at first until more information is compiled and the issue of liability from injury is investigated. Logistics of picking up, unloading, and handling of merchandise…. Trucks/Pallet Jacks—Staff has solicited from area businesses through the North Springfield Betterment Association membership for help in picking up merchandise. The committee felt there might be an opportunity to check with hospitals for donation of a pallet jack. Manpower—As mentioned above, the program will be first manned by UNA staff until a better understanding of the amount of time needed is established. Tindle Warehouse—Staff will find out the height of the docks at the Tindle Warehouse in order to get a better understanding of what kind of trucks are needed for delivery of the merchandise. How do we ensure that we use the merchandise “ONLY to help the poor, the sick, and children” (FAQ page on website); used “solely for the care of the ill, needy or youth”? Since this program specifically states that tis is to be used for the ill, needy or youth, our hope is that since all the UNA neighborhoods are low-to-moderate, then anyone in the neighborhoods could utilize these products. Staff has contacted GIKI for verification of this. What is the order in which UNA will prefer to distribute the merchandise? The committee is recommending this order of preference relating to distribution: 1) Members of UNA neighborhood associations; 2) Any neighborhood residents within the UNA footprint; 3) Any neighborhood residents within the Caring Communities catchment area; 4) Churches and other non-profits Neighborhood association would be responsible for submitting the current membership roster to UNA staff. UNA staff would also take membership dues and applications on site to expedite the membership process but would not be responsible for verification of membership into the appropriate association if there is a question as to a paid membership.
Should UNA attempt to fill requests of neighborhood residents? UNA would make every attempt to fill written requests from neighborhood residents that fall into the “paid association member” unless this becomes too burdensome. This would be attempted during a probationary period of the program.
Should this program be administered strictly on a first-come, first-served basis? This program would be on a first come-first served basis at the beginning of this program. Should restrictions be placed on the recipients? (i.e. how often a resident can receive merchandise and/or what they can and can’t do with it) There would need to be limitations established on the # of pick-ups per month or year and the # of items that each household could receive. Some formula would be established on either scenario that would take into consideration the amount of merchandise that UNA receives from Home Depot. All recipients would sign a waiver that would acknowledge that they understand this any merchandise could not be given away or be sold in any fashion. If the recipient is somehow found to have violated this, they would not be permitted to receive any merchandise in the future. What should be the hours of operation? UNA staff will have the flexibility as to hours of operation depending on the amount of merchandise and needs of recipients. Should we include an indemnification clause similar to GIKI’s? (p. 2 of 3 on long handout, cl. 8)? A clause in the waiver would also include an indemnification clause that release UNA, Home Depot and GIKI from any claims arising from the use, misuse, misappropriation or misrepresentation of any goods donated.