May 5, 2018
As one of the nation’s largest volunteer centers and experts in community service, VolunteerNow seeks to transform communities through volunteerism. To achieve their mission, Volunteer Now developed VOLY.org, an innovative, web-based volunteer recruiting, management, and reporting platform designed to directly support the volunteer needs of nonprofits, schools, municipalities, and others who value volunteerism. By connecting nonprofits to the free workforce that they need, supporting teachers and students in the classroom, and providing volunteer infrastructure for municipalities, VolunteerNow programs and services build capacity for communities to address critical needs.
VolunteerNow connects nonprofits – large and small – with the volunteer workforce needed to fulfill their missions. The organization serves 3,000 nonprofits and refers more than 150 volunteers per day. Last year alone, VolunteerNow mobilized 135,000 volunteers who gave 1.5 million hours valued at $37 million.
I have often signed up for volunteer opportunities online with VOLY.org. This week, I decided to check out their Donated Goods Discount Depot. This warehouse-sized store, located in the Wilson Historic District in Dallas, provides nonprofits with access to items donated by area retailers for sale at a fraction of retail cost. They accept new, surplus, and gently used items from corporate donors such as JCPenney, Sam’s Club, Target, and many more. They then make these items available to their member nonprofits, local school district employees, police officers, firefighters, EMTs, military personnel, and veterans. The Discount Depots are not open to the general public.
As a member, nonprofit organizations have access to a wide variety of items, from clothes for children’s services, personal care products for women’s shelters, construction supplies for all kinds of projects, and even office supplies and furniture for everyday nonprofit needs. Every item is offered at a dramatic discount. Through Donated Goods, member nonprofits are able stretch their budgets by spending less on critical items, leaving more money to dedicate to their mission. Each shopper may bring one guest when they shop. All guests must be over 12 years of age. Each purchase will include a $2.00 fee to cover administrative costs previously offset by membership fees.
Discount Depots are open 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. There are two locations, one at 2800 Live Oak Street in Dallas, and another at 4137 Stadium Drive in Fort Worth.
Organizations may also donate surplus inventory.
