Reuse Assistance Grant Progress Report

City of Modesto's Reuse Assistance Grant Project (Part 1: February 2005 to November 2005)

Project Description

Partnering with the Habitat for Habitat for Humanity Stanislaus (HFHS) to promote their fledging ReStore, a retail home improvement store that sells donated construction items and materials at discounted rates. Grant funds will conduct a public education campaign, purchase an additional truck, purchase additional store shelving and hire a full-time staff person to collect donations. HFHS will continue to seek out additional community partnerships to further enhance their donation sources.

Executive Summary

The City of Modesto was awarded $50,000 to assist the Habitat For Humanity, Stanislaus ReStore in gaining a foothold in the community. The funds were earmarked to assist in the purchase of a truck, store shelving, developing and mailing a brochure, purchase store shelving, developing and airing a TV commercial, print newspaper advertisements and hiring a full-time staff member. They are pleased to report that all tasks are on schedule, many are 100 percent completed and much progress has been made.

They hit the ground running in March with the development and disbursement of the ReStore brochure to 5,000+ local building industry businesses. The ReStore saw immediate results as the donations began coming in on a regular basis and sales began to climb. Additional shelves were purchased in two stages to display the increased number of donations and HFH began the search for a truck to purchase for the donation collection. The truck was finally purchased in August 2005. Also, after a long search, a permanent full-time Donations Coordinator was hired and is working out very well.

Promotional efforts also include city staff publishing various utility newsletter articles and sending city/county wide emails promoting the ReStore. Information about the ReStore was also published on the city web site. The ReStore participated in the annual 2nd Chance Week promotional event. City and HFH staff developed a 30-second TV commercial, which currently airs on a local cable newscast. The Modesto Bee advertisements are in the works and should be published in the Spring 2006.

Overall, the ReStore has done exceptionally well. The amount of donations increased by 200 percent during the reporting period and ReStore sales are up by 363 percent. Also, over 102 tons of materials were diverted from the landfill during this same time. See Attachment A for details.

The ReStore continues to gain a foothold in the community by providing a great disposal option for construction projects as well as an inexpensive alternative for home repair to local property owners.

The City of Modesto is seeking $35,741.68 in reimbursement funds for expenses related to the implementation of this grant. Thus far, they have matched the expenses with $4,923.10 in staff costs.

The steps required to accomplish their project are as follows:

Task 1.1-1.4: Develop, Print and Mail Brochures.
City of Modesto and Habitat for Humanity staff members worked together in March 2005 to develop a double-sided, three-fold brochure to promote the HFH ReStore. Approximately 7,500 copies were printed (5,000 were paid for with grant funds) and over 6,000 were mailed directly (5,112 were paid for with grant funds) to various businesses in the construction, development and real estate trades. In addition, other HFHS partners included brochures in their billing statements. The remaining copies continue to be disbursed at various community sites, community events and civic club presentations, etc. A total of 44.5 staff and contractor hours and $1,687.33 of grant funds were spent on these tasks during the reporting period. These tasks are 100 percent complete.

Task 2: Develop and Publish Utility Newsletter Articles.
City of Modesto staff developed and published an article and an advertisement in the September issue of the CityPride~CityWide. The article highlighting 2nd Chance Week mentioned the ReStore as a viable solution to disposal of old building materials, etc. The ad also promoted 2nd Chance Week as the ReStore offered 15 percent off all merchandise purchased during the weeklong event. Staff also made a presentation to City Council to further promote 2nd Chance Week and the ReStore efforts. The ReStore reported 12 coupons were redeemed. See enclosed newsletter.

In addition, the following article was recently submitted for publication in the January 2006 issue:

Habitat for Humanity Restore
The ReStore accepts donated new and used construction and building materials of all kinds from businesses and residents alike. Whatever can't be used in one of their construction projects goes on sale in the ReStore below retail value! So don't throw it away...donate it and support the Habitat for Humanity, Stanislaus. All donations are 100 percent tax deductible.

Looking for windows, doors, cabinets, carpeting, PVC fittings, sinks, gate hinges, or flooring made from ceramic, hard wood or tile? They have got it all and then some, all at reduced prices. The ReStore has sold over 100 tons of building materials in the last year; that's 100 tons that would have gone to the landfill! Remember, REUSE is the best form of RECYCLING!

Everybody wins at the ReStore! Don't miss this great opportunity to see for yourself. The ReStore is located at 423 7th Street, Modesto (Between D & E Streets) and is open Tues.-Fri. 8am–6pm and Sat. 8am–3pm. Questions? Call them at 572-2060.

Staff has also sent out several citywide and countywide emails since the beginning of the grant cycle. The ReStore reports that each mass email sent brings in at least one or two new customers. A total of 12 staff hours were spent on this task during the reporting period. This task is 50 percent completed.

Task 3: Develop and Post Web Site.
Staff developed and posted information about the ReStore on the City's Web site in July 2005. Surfers can easily click on the HFH ReStore page and learn all about their mission, their needs and what the ReStore has to offer. It also offers a direct link to the Habitat for Humanity, Stanislaus web page. The ReStore reports they get approximately ten new customers per month directly from the City of Modesto's Web site. A total of five staff hours were spent on this task during the reporting period. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 4: Purchase ReStore Shelving.
This task has been done in stages. An initial order for materials was made in February 2005. The shelves were assembled quickly and installed to help manage the incoming materials. With the ReStore's recent expansion, additional shelving was purchased in November 2005 in two phases. These purchases have allowed the ReStore to not only increase their storage capacity, but also better display their vast number of donated windows and wood. A total of $222.35 of grant funds was spent on this task during the reporting period. This task is 95 percent complete.

Task 5: Purchase Truck.
The HFH made a thorough search for a truck that would meet their needs before the made their purchase. In August 2005, they purchased a 2001 International Cargo Van with a lift gate and automatic transmission. The truck has allowed for their Donations Coordinator to increase the size and quantity of their donations pick-up and provides excellent advertising space on the side panels to further promote the ReStore. See attached pictures. A total of $15,800 of grant funds was spent on this task during the reporting period. This task is 100% complete.

Task 6.1-6.2: Develop Modesto Bee Ads.
City of Modesto and Habitat for Humanity staff members worked together in October and November 2005 to develop a full-page flier to be inserted in the Bee. A total of 100,000 copies will be printed and distributed in December 2005 and Spring 2006. At this writing, it is near completion and will be forwarded to the CIWMB for approval soon. A total of eight staff and contractor hours and $0.00 of grant funds were spent on these tasks during the reporting period. These tasks are 75 percent complete.

Task 7.1-7.2: Central Valley Report Ads.
City of Modesto and Habitat for Humanity staff members worked together to develop a 30-second TV commercial in October and November 2005. The ad is broadcast on the Central Valley Report, a local cable news station. It airs three to six times each weekday for $100 per day. Broadcasting began in November 2005 and will continue into February 2006. A total of ten staff and contractor hours and $0.00 of grant funds were spent on these tasks during the reporting period. These tasks are 25 percent complete.

Tasks 8.1-8.2: Recruit For Full-time Staff.
HFHS staff conducted the recruitment process for a Donations Coordinator from July through September 2005 via advertisements, screening and interviewing. Various HFHS staff members temporarily filled the position in the previous months. Having a designated Coordinator has freed up the other staff members to conduct their specific jobs and make things run more efficiently.

A total of 1,310 contractor hours and $18,032.00 of grant funds were spent on these tasks during the reporting period. Not all Task 8.2 charges are being claimed on this report due to a delay in payment processing. Thus, the October and November 2005 charges will be included in the next report and payment request. These tasks are 100 percent complete.

Tasks 9.1-9.2: Develop and Review Quarterly Reports.
Habitat for Humanity staff provided the City of Modesto monthly reports and invoices for grant activities. Each report gives updated statistical data on the ReStore donation activities, etc. City of Modesto staff has reviewed each report and processed the invoices for reimbursement. In turn, the City of Modesto is seeking reimbursement from the CIWMB for the invoices paid to the HFHS. To date, a total of 35,741.68 in grant funds have been spent. See attached budget worksheet and paid invoices for details. A total of ten staff and contractor hours were spent on this task during the reporting period. This task is 100 percent complete.

Task 10: Develop Grant Reports and Payment Requests.
City of Modesto staff developed the annual grant report and payment request. To date, nearly all the grant funds are spent. Most of the tasks are completed with the exception of continual watching, measuring and reporting progress via annual and final reports. A total of six staff hours were been spent on this task during the reporting period. This task is 50 percent complete.

Next Reporting Period

During the next reporting period, the ReStore will publish the Modesto Bee ads in stages. The flier ads will be tucked into the local newspaper and sent out by zip code areas in stages. This process will not only allow for better tracking of customer response, but also allow them to spread out their advertising dollars over a longer period of time.

In all, the ReStore has made some amazing strides. The community's response to the limited amount of advertising has been incredible. They hope to see them continue to grow to the point they will truly be self-supportive by having a firm place in the home improvement retail market in this area.

*RPC = Recycling Program Coordinator
**ED = HFHS Executive Director

*Permission was obtained from grant recipient to publish project profile.

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Last updated: June 25, 2008