Opportunity House announced that it diverted over 1 million pounds of material from landfills in 2023.
Through its Reuse & Recycle Program, Opportunity House reused, repurposed, and recycled over 1,441,000 pounds of material, including clothing, furniture, books, CDs, DVDs, shoes, belts, bedding, housewares, and small appliances.
Diverting material from landfills is the main goal of the program. In addition to diverting material from the landfills, the program also:
- Provides clothing for individuals and families who stay at the shelter and in our short-term housing program.
- Creates jobs and provides job training for formerly homeless people.
- Secures basic household needs (bedroom furniture, kitchen sets, housewares, and bedding) to formerly homeless individuals and families when they leave the shelter or short-term housing program and move into permanent housing.
- Provides affordable clothing, housewares, furniture, and other items to people in our community.
- Generates revenue for programs and services at Opportunity House.
According to Jane Meeks, Executive Director of the Berks County Solid Waste Authority, the amount diverted from the landfills is larger than the amounts recycled in some curbside programs in the county.
Donation Day schedule for Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
OppShop, the retail thrift store operated by Opportunity House, is sponsoring a Code Blue Donation Day on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, from 10 am to 6 pm. The facility, located at 3045 5th St. Highway, will accept donations at the rear of its retail store. It’s fast and easy to drop off items, and the staff of OppShop will help customers unload items from their vehicles.
With the opening of the short-term housing program and the increase in requests for shelter during the winter months, Opportunity House has an immediate need for clothing and household items. Clients receive vouchers to shop for clothing when they arrive at the shelter. Men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing and shoes are always needed.
While clients stay at Opportunity House, they create a plan to become stably housed. The case managers work with clients to identify the items they need when they secure permanent housing. Many families are starting over and need everything from bedroom furniture and kitchen sets to household items like pots and pans, dishes, silverware, cookware, bakeware, bedding, lamps, and small appliances.
By collecting these items, Opportunity House hopes to exceed the 2023 goal in 2024. The Berks County community plays a pivotal role by repurposing, reusing, and recycling items they no longer need. Bins located throughout Berks County make it easy for residents to donate items in their neighborhood.
In the early days of Opportunity House, it came into being in 1984 after a man froze to death in Reading.
In 2024, as Opportunity House celebrates its 40th anniversary, it continues to be the community’s primary resource providing emergency shelter to over 500 clients each year.
