Basic Needs Ministry - Frequently Asked Questions Q. Where does the money go? A. The start-up expenses for the warehouse upfit, racks, hangers, and equipment were paid with loan money. The warehouse operating expenses are budgeted over $35,000 a year and Basic Needs has had to pay those with loan money. Sales and donations are not meeting the bills. Any income will be used to pay current bills first and then pay off the loans. After the loans for these two areas of expenses are paid, Basic Needs may purchase land and a building to cut its costs per foot of operation, eliminate paying real estate tax, or offer additional services. There are no salaries and the money and services of a public charity must benefit the public. Say, do you want to build a library, offer a full service food bank, offer tutoring or ESL lessons, or add a medical clinic for our uninsired? You dreams for this community may be something we can help you accomplish. Q. How much is the director paid? A. The director is a volunteer, who does not get pay, benefits, or even mileage reimbursement. The director is responsible for all debt and the daily operations. Q. If I volunteer, do I get to take home whatever I want from the warehouse? For free? A. This is not permitted by policy and law. All merchandise is to be on display to the public for at least one full sales day, before volunteers or staff may purchase it. Volunteers and staff must pay full price for all merchandise removed from the warehouse. Staff must pay by check or charge card. Basic laws ban conversion of a charity's assets for private use and the payment in goods in lieu of dollars per hour worked. Q. Will Basic Needs give me double community service hours for each hour I work, like other agencies? Will it permit someone else to work my hours? A. This is not permitted by policy and in several cases by law. Q. Will you give me at least $5 or $10 in cash for each day I perform community service? A. This is not permitted by policy and law. Q. Why do you throw so many clothes away? A. We do not expect our friends and neighbors to wear clothing that is stained, torn, or worn out. Churches and missionaries cannot afford to ship it to other countries, only to have it trashed there for the same reason. We are too small to have a brokerage contract. Q. Why don't you wash all the clothing before you hang it up? A. We do not have the staff, volunteers, facilities, or money to wash clothing that the owners, launderers, and dry cleaners have not been able to get clean. Q. Why don't you take computers and electronics in and give them to me to fix and sell or give away? A. Nonprofits, which are authorized to write receipts for tax deductions, generally may not give assets away to for-profit companies or individuals. Q. Why won't you take donations of furniture, major appliances, computer equipment, tires, and gas yard equipment? A. We have no space for large items in the building and by fire code cannot block our aisles. Our lease bans merchandise outside. Any item which once held fuel is a fire hazard and is not permitted inside the building. We cannot put ourselves in jeopardy of business disposal fees and laws, which may provide for Superfund site cleanup. Q. What safety issues do volunteers face? A. If you have allergies, plan to take your medication before coming into a warehouse environment with lint, dust, and scents. There may be sharp objects in the boxes and bags you handle. Empty them and handle the goods carefully. Bring and drink plenty of liquids to avoid overheating in the hot summer months and wear warm clothing in layers during the cold winter months. Q. When I see something interesting in the dumpster, may I get it? A. No. Broken glass, nails, and metal shards are placed in the dumpster for disposal. For your safety, no one is permitted to dig in the dumpster. |