FAQs

Storehouse FAQ's

What is the Storehouse?

The Storehouse is a gifts-in-kind warehouse founded by Believe in West Virginia (BiWV) that supplies surplus consumer goods to nonprofit organizations.

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West Virginia Youth Encouragers Network FAQ's

What is the WV Youth Encouragers Network?

The WV Youth Encouragers Network (WV YEN) is a program to educate, and encourage, the youth of West Virginia to make wise moral choices, and to develop and encourage cooperation between church youth programs.

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What is the Storehouse’s mission?

"Storehouse West Virginia seeks to become a catalyst to reach the needs of our community by providing supplies and training to individuals in the local church body enabling effective outreach."

What are the goals of the Storehouse?

To distribute surplus consumer goods to charitable organizations enabling them to impact the lives of their communities

To assist organizations in the development and improvement of outreach programs

Foster cooperation between diverse groups who are reaching their communities

How do products flow through the Storehouse?

The Storehouse contacts manufacturers and retailers to arrange for the donation of excess products for distribution.
Once the products are received at the Storehouse, volunteers will arrange, sort, repair (if necessary), and inventory the items.
Storehouse partners, churches and other non-profit organizations, are notified of the new items that have been received and invited to come and pick them up.
At an arranged time partners will pick up the items and share them with those they serve.

Where is the Storehouse?

The Storehouse is located in donated space at Dondale Furniture, in Cross Lanes, West Virginia. The address is 125 Lakeview Drive. When you pull onto the Dondale parking lot, go to the left of the building, and go all the way to the back. When you reach the rear of the building you will see a tractor trailer parked at the end of the building. To the right of the tractor is a small door, which is the entrance to the Storehouse.

When can I visit the Storehouse?

All visits to the Storehouse are by appointment. To arrange an appointment, contact the BiWV Executive Director, John deBlecourt. His email is john@believeinwv.org or he can be reached by phone at (304) 552-7601. We try and schedule visits for Tuesday or Thursday afternoons, between 1 and 5 PM, but we will work with your schedule.

Who is eligible to receive items from the Storehouse?

Churches and 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations are able to receive items from the Storehouse. The Storehouse allows qualifying organizations to come and make a first visit and pick up items without any obligation, other than to complete the demographic portion of the Storehouse Application.

How can I partner with the Storehouse?

Once organizations have received items from the Storehouse, and realize the value of the Storehouse, they are asked to consider partnering with the Storehouse. In order for the Storehouse to become financially viable, organizations are asked to partner with the Storehouse. Partnership includes contributing an annual membership fee, which is based on the organizations annual budget, and volunteering time.

What are the advantages of partnership?

Organizations that are able to financially partner with the Storehouse will receive first notification of new products after they are received. They will be given a period to obtain the new items before the list is sent to other organizations. As the number of partners grows, it may become necessary to limit access to Storehouse products to partners only.

How often can we visit the Storehouse?

Normally, organizations can plan to visit the Storehouse once a month. Exceptions can be made by contacting the Executive Director.

What types of products does the Storehouse receive?

The Storehouse receives new products from major manufacturers and retailers. The kinds of products change regularly, based on what is donated. Here are the kinds of items that have been donated so far: building materials, gift and card items, food (including candy), personal care items, cleaning products, and school supplies. We continue to seek new donors and a broader variety of items.

How can my company donate to the Storehouse?

The Storehouse is a public charity and therefore donors may deduct the fair market value (FMV) of a gift to the Storehouse. The gift of certain products may qualify for a credit under Section 170 (e) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This section allows firms to claim a deduction of up to twice the donor’s basis in the property, in certain circumstances. The Executive Director can supply general information on this type of gift, but prospective donors should contact their tax advisor for specific advice.

How do volunteers help at the Storehouse?

The Storehouse relies on the help of volunteers to complete all the tasks required to meet the needs of our partners. Individuals and groups are encouraged to consider spending time working at the Storehouse. Help is needed in the following areas: Administrative help – Database entry – Inventory control – Correspondence; Warehouse help – Loading and unloading of vehicles – Arranging product on racks – Preparing product for distribution; and Product processing - Sorting – Repairing – Repackaging of donated goods.

Besides giving away products does the Storehouse do anything else?

The Storehouse has three other goals that go beyond the distribution of gift-in-kind products. The first is for The Storehouse to help churches, and non-profit groups, better meet the needs in their communities, through the sharing of innovative outreach ideas and methods. The second is to encourage cooperation between churches so they can more effectively meet the needs of their communities, and carry out their mission. Finally, we hope to broaden the understanding of our volunteers, and partners, to the extent of the need in West Virginia.

What are the goals of WV YEN?

To promote the hosting of regional events that will educate and entertain young people.
To organize youth leaders into a group offering support, education, and support.
To encourage youth to be involved with community outreach programs and to gain a greater appreciation for those in need.

How will WV YEN accomplish their goals?

WV Youth Encouragers Network (WV YEN) has begun to carry out these goals by a partnership with the Silver Ring Thing.

What is the Silver Ring Thing?

Silver Ring Thing (SRT) sexual abstinence program that was designed to attract the attention of the typical 21st century teenager and offer them protection from the destructive effects of America's sex obsessed culture. The Silver Ring is worn as a symbol and reminder of the abstinence pledge. The "Thing" in Silver Ring is the high-tech presentation that makes this program uniquely attractive. By featuring awesome lighting and video systems, hilarious skits, concert sound systems, high-energy music, TV's, computers, and a faith-based abstinence message, students become interested in the message being offered to them about their sex lives.

What events has WV YEN hosted in West Virginia?

Believe in West Virginia, the parent organization of WV YEN, has been involved with hosting four SRT events in the Charleston Area. The events were held at the following locations: Maranatha Fellowship, Kings River Worship Center, Capital High School, and Emmanuel Baptist Church. WV YEN also spearheaded an SRT event in Huntington held at the Veterans Memorial Field House. During these events over 1,100 youth attended, over 650 purchased rings, and 116 made a commitment to Christ.

What special things happened at the Capital High School event?

SRT visited 2 middle schools on Friday - John Adams M.S. and Stonewall Jackson M.S. and had a blast with the students there. Also along for the fun were 5 news crews...MTV, CNN, a Swedish news crew, and 2 local to Charleston WV! There were over 300 people in attendance with 123 who put on a silver ring (others who already had the ring came back and brought friends). And by the end of the night, 29 students decided that they really wanted God to be #1 in their lives.

What are the plans for 2006?

WV YEN would like to see 5 or 6 SRT events hosted around the state. We have worked with groups in both Huntington and Charleston to host events in those locations. The Huntington event took place on April 1, at the Veteran’s Memorial Field House. The Charleston event occurred on Friday, March 31. We are also hopeful that events might be held in Parkersburg, Oak Hill/Beckley, Ripley, and Southern WV. In addition to the SRT events, WV YEN will begin compiling a list of Youth Pastors, so that we might be able to find ways to connect and support them. Compiling a comprehensive calendar showing youth events, scheduled by geographic area, is also in the works.

How can people become involved with WV YEN?

In each location that hosts an event there is a need for many volunteers and supporters. When the SRT Team comes to an area there is a lot of work to be done. Prior to the event – there is work to be done with logistics, publicity, and fund raising. On the weekend of the event – host homes are needed, meals need to be served, equipment needs to be set up, and students must be registered. After the event – follow up work needs to be done with attendees.

Another area of assistance will be in database and website development. If you have expertise in these areas, please contact the Executive Director, John deBlecourt.

How will WV YEN increase student’s awareness of the needs within WV?

Students will be encouraged to work with existing outreach programs that are designed to provide for those in need. One of these programs is the Believe in West Virginia Storehouse, where students are encouraged to help preparing products for distribution.

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