Ever wonder how outfits like Habitat for Humanity and other non-profit housing groups are able to build new houses and rehabilitate old ones at such low cost?

In the Chicago area, a unique public-private partnership called the Storehouse makes donated building materials and supplies available to organizations, churches and ministries serving people with low and modest incomes at practically no cost.

The Storehouse is one of those faith-based organizations President Bush says he'd like to help make America a better place. It operates much a like a food pantry, providing products and supplies to qualified charitable organizations and, in some cases, even individuals.

A part of World Vision Chicago, the largest privately funded, faith-based humanitarian agency in the world, serving more than 80 million people in 100 companies, the Storehouse opened in 1995 in an 18,000-square-foot warehouse.

But by January 2000, it has become so successful that it moved into a 40,000-foot warehouse on the city's West Side donated by the Chicago Public School System.

Over its six years, the Storehouse has served more than 1,500 Chicagoland community development groups and churches and more than 2,200 families. It employs 13 individuals, many of whom have made the transition from welfare to full-time work.

It has been so successful that the Home Improvement Industry Presidents Council, a group of senior level executives representing building products manufacturers, distributors and retailers, has named the Storehouse it's charity of choice.

"The Storehouse is bonded to our industry; it truly makes sense for us to do this," said Elizabeth O'Connor, executive director of the Presidents Council. "This is an ideal initiative for our members."

Manufacturers such as the Kohler Co., 3M, Benjamin Moore, Delta, Home Depot, Pella, Sherman Williams and dozens of others have donated paint, brushes, drywall, fixtures, lumber, cabinetry, faucets, sinks and toilets.

Of course, the benefactors receive tax deductions for their gifts. But they also are able to reduce unwanted inventories, become involved in their local communities and get a little positive recognition in the process.

"It has always been part of the philosophy and culture of our company to actively support community organizations," said Don David, director of Kohler's retail division, which has been one of the Storehouse's largest contributors. "When we have large quantities of usable products available, it simply makes more sense to distribute them to people who can use them rather than leaving them to landfills."

Companies like Kohler aren't the only ones to praise the charity and its good work. So has the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which gave it a "Best Practices Award" in 1999.

Over the years, the charity has taken in some $10 million worth of products donated by more than 300 companies. While it distributes those materials free of charge, it does collect handling fees which cover about 60 percent of its annual budget.

For more articles by Lew Sichelman, please press here.

Published: June 7, 2001

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