The Salvation Army partners with ReSupply for thrift store donation pick-ups
Veteran-run ReSupply helps The Salvation Army keep its thrift stores stocked.
Have you ever wanted to donate a large item but found it too heavy to lift or transport?
To solve this dilemma, The Salvation Army has partnered with ReSupply, a veteran-owned and operated donation management company, to simplify the donation process, making it easier to contribute items of any size to Salvation Army thrift stores through scheduled at-home pick-ups.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, The Salvation Army stopped expensive at-home pick-ups, diverting those resources to programs.
The move cut costs but it created a gap in donations, according to Atticus Firey, Donor Donations Manager at The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) Command. He said partnering with ReSupply is now helping fill that gap.
"We once again have an option for supporters who want to donate large collections of items or bulky furniture to The Salvation Army but need assistance with lifting or transportation," Firey said.
Keeping products in the thrift stores is essential, as items sold support the operation of Salvation Army ARCs, he said.
Now, when a donor asks about a pick-up for their donation to The Salvation Army, they will be connected to ReSupply, which will manage the logistics of the pick-up process for a fee that varies with the quantity and size of items.
A ReSupply team can arrive at a donor's door within 24 hours, equipped with the necessary tools to clear out an entire house or simply collect a few bags of clothing. Their trucks and movers transport items to 85 drop-off locations within the Western U.S.
When items arrive, staff at Salvation Army thrift stores or centers determine what they can accept, while ReSupply takes any leftover items.
"We’ve seen a tremendous uptick in items as thrift stores are accepting 95 percent of donations coming from ReSupply," Firey said. "It’s high-quality products that just need a new home."
If a donor contacts ReSupply first, The Salvation Army remains the initial destination for resupplying the items, with other charitable organizations following.
ReSupply Founder and CEO Paul Tocci developed the model for getting donations to charities while serving in the U.S. Army in 2015.
"We're passionate and eager to support the mission of The Salvation Army."
Paul Tocci, ReSupply Founder and CEO
He noticed military families on the base struggled to move belongings when preparing for their next assignment, often leaving items behind.
To prevent these items from ending up in landfills, Tocci partnered with moving companies to ensure items could be donated and resupplied.
"ReSupply now operates in 25,000 zip codes and can serve 81 percent of the U.S. population in 24 to 48 hours," Tocci said.
He said he grew up knowing about The Salvation Army’s "Doing The Most Good" mission and dreamed of contributing through his work. The partnership began with The Salvation Army Eastern Territory, followed by the Central Territory, and then the Western Territory in September.
"Our goal is to serve every Salvation Army center and location nationwide," Tocci said. "We're passionate and eager to support the mission of The Salvation Army."
To efficiently route items to stores that can sell them, Tocci and a team of software engineers developed a system that optimizes donation routes to save fuel and maximize the distribution of items where they are needed most.
Piers Fairclough, ARC Director of Strategic Projects, said the new avenue of ReSupply bringing items into stores has improved inventory levels and made the donation process more efficient.
"We’re going to continue expanding region by region," Fairclough said. "By the end of the year, we will have most of the Western Territory covered."
He added the partnership has allowed The Salvation Army to receive items they might not have otherwise obtained.
"Not everyone can move a dresser or a bedframe,” Fairclough said. "There’s now that option for ReSupply to do it and bring the item to us."
Once a pickup service is complete, a military veteran from ReSupply calls the donor to thank them for donating and informs them of how their donation will help the community.
For Tocci, working with communities to establish connections is vital for promoting engagement and encouraging more people to contribute to the mission of giving back.
"It’s an absolute honor and a privilege to partner with The Salvation Army," Tocci said. "The future is just beginning and we’re excited to come alongside them to help power the mission for decades to come."
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