History

Led by a group of dedicated volunteers including founders Roz Babener and Fineke Brasser, Oregon Community Warehouse incorporated in January 2001 and quickly started regular pick up of donated items in the Portland metro area. Furniture and household items were stored in three storage units in Beaverton. One of our partner agencies, YWCA, offered temporary space for our small items. Volunteers met case managers two days a week to distribute requested items. 10–15 households received necessary furnishings each week. The value of distributions in our first year was $200,000. Our budget was actually $0.

In May of 2001 Oregon Community Warehouse moved to a 4,000 square foot warehouse space in Southeast Portland. This larger space allowed us to organize our warehouse, efficiently storing donations of mattresses, sofas, kitchen tables and dressers as well as kitchen items and small appliances. Our first Estate Sale was held in this space.

In 2002, with of a grant from Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Community Warehouse hired the first staff, a part time Case Manager Coordinator, Kelly Zander. This enabled regular hours and the ability to serve more than 30 households a week. The value of distributions for 2002 was almost $400,000. Kelly remains with the Warehouse and is now the Program Director.

In June of 2003 we moved to Northwest Portland. This 7,000 square foot warehouse had a separate space for our Estate Sale fundraisers, more floor space for storing and sorting donations and a loading dock. Our truck picked up donations two days each week.

In 2003, we distributed $500,000 in home furnishings, serving 40 households each week.

In 2004, distributions exceeded $700,000 worth of home furnishings, helping more than 50 families each week. The truck picked up donations three days each week. A second staff person was hired to screen donations and route the truck.

In November, 2005, Executive Director Kristy Wood was hired thanks to a grant from Providence Health Systems. In April, 2005, the Warehouse moved to 2267 N. Interstate. This new location offers more space and a second loading dock which has helped serve even more families.

In October, 2006, the Board of Directors dropped the “Oregon” from Oregon Community Warehouse to highlight our services for families from both Oregon and Southwest Washington.

In 2007, our estate sales had grown into a store, which is now the Estate Store, open every Saturday and Sunday. We raised funds to purchase our own truck and pick up from households five days a week, with a goal of serving 70 families each week by the end of 2007.

Community Warehouse is currently the only Oregon resource from Vancouver to Corvallis for low income individuals and families seeking essential household furnishings at no cost. Its founders continue to be involved in the daily activities and continued growth of the agency.