Local Job Training Non-Profit Needs Appliance Donations
Bellingham’s community owned job training and recycling program, Appliance Depot, has been supporting low income families and waste stream responsibility for six years. Their facility at 802 Marine Drive accepts working and non-working large household appliances to refurbish and fund a hands-on job skills education and assessment program. Appliance Depot sells their re-conditioned appliances with a 90-day warranty to support their efforts to help folks reenter the work force and get free of government assistance.
“We have highly skilled job coaches on staff that work with program participants at ironing out the barriers that have repeatedly kept them from maintaining employment,” says Thoren Rogers, Director at Appliance Depot. “With the help of our coaches, trainees get real-life experience in developing the basic skills of keeping a job and being a responsible member of a work team.”
Appliance Depot no longer seeks grants or other outside funding to pay for this program, relying solely on the sales of their appliances to cover expenses. For unknown reasons, this winter has seen a slump in appliance donations, which has in turn affected the inventory on the sales end of the business.
“Appliance Depot needs your old appliances,” says Rogers. “If you, a friend or family member is buying a new one, please consider asking the company installing the new appliance to drop the old unit off at our facility. You may also drop it by yourself or call us to come pick it up from your curb.”
Appliance Depot accepts clothes washers, dryers, ranges, fridges and freezers either at their facility on Marine Dr or via their curbside collection service. Collections in the Bellingham city limits are free.
Donations to the organization are tax deductible. All salvageable appliances are repaired and tested by professional technicians before they are put up for sale and the prices are usually less than half of new.
If you have any questions regarding Appliance Depot’s programs or services, you can contact the staff at 360-527-2646 or visit their website at www.reuseworks.org.
Program Director Thoren Rogers is also available to speak, free of charge, at neighborhood association meetings, club functions and community events regarding the value of job training to the local economy and responsible waste management.
Appliance Depot – 802 Marine Drive
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Thoren Rogers, Director
Appliance Depot
(360) 220-4932
