Free School Supplies, Party Supplies and Toys -- OH MY

ARA (ARA) - When many people hear “donated goods” they automatically think about used items that no one wants, but imagine being able to select from a catalog of hundreds of new products -- school supplies, toys, sporting goods, incentives for kids, maintenance items, and more -- that you really need for your nonprofit group.

One organization is making that possible for more than 4,700 churches, schools, hospitals, nursing homes, social service organizations, municipalities, and even summer camps nationwide.

The National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources, (NAEIR), helps supplement tight budgets for nonprofit organizations via a unique membership program. NAEIR collects donations of new, overstock inventory from U.S. businesses and redistributes these goods to its members. For more than 25 years, NAEIR has collected and redistributed more than $1.6 billion worth of donated goods.

Members simply choose what they want from a 200-page catalog -- distributed five times annually -- and pay the shipping and handling costs on the items. On average, members receive $18,000 worth of new supplies each year

“What really sets NAEIR apart is our ability to deliver exactly what our members need,” says Gary C. Smith, the group’s president and chief executive officer. “We know they are able to use everything we send them because we only send items they have requested for their organization. Knowing that NAEIR can help so many groups and people is very satisfying.”

Schools Enhance Learning Incentives

“We’ve found some wonderful incentive items in the NAEIR catalogs,” said Sherry Yaniga, coordinator of business partnerships at Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland.

Students earn points or “school (play) money” for improvements in grades, attendance or behavior. Then, they get to spend their points at the school store, which includes items from NAEIR such as books, computer software, toys, roller skates, collectable figurines and stencils.

“The responses from the teachers have been wonderful,” said Yaniga. “They send little notes saying that the items received from NAEIR reinforce the children’s desire to learn and that they really appreciate these incentives.”

Parish Parties Made Festive

“Everything from NAEIR is beneficial -- there isn’t anything we can’t use,” said Sarah J. Patrizio, administrative assistant for St. Boniface Church, Piqua, Ohio.

“Our school doesn’t have to buy paper, arts and crafts, crayons and decorations for dances because we get them from NAEIR. At our parish dinners, we use NAEIR plates, napkins and tablecovers. It’s great!”

Nonprofit Group Helps Seniors Citizens

Americorps Serving Northeast Ohio uses NAEIR donations to help residents in the greater Toledo area. “I used to spend hours on the phone every week asking stores and businesses for stuff,” said director Renee Kolby. “NAEIR frees up that time. It leaves me more time to help people.”

Last year, Americorps Serving Northeast Ohio used donated vinyl storm window kits in senior citizens’ houses. “Each senior saved an average of $170 on their heating bills. You multiply that times 25 residences and that’s a lot of money,” said Kolby.

Nonprofit organizations that want to take advantage of the products offered by NAEIR, can call (800) 562-0955 or visit www.naeir.org.

Courtesy of ARA Content


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Courtesy of ARA Content