Household Goods Recycling of Massachusetts (formerly Household Goods Recycling Ministry)

CONTACT:

530 Main Street
Acton, MA 01720
978-635-1763
www.hgrm.org

Mark Sigman, President

DESCRIPTION:

In 1990, Barbara and Ira Smith of Acton heard about a woman who had fled El Salvador after nine neighbors were assassinated, and who arrived in the U.S. with nothing. The Smiths decided to help—they appealed to friends and neighbors to donate basic household items. They collected more than they needed, so they contacted agencies helping people to identify beneficiaries, and seeing great needs “out there”, they kept going, storing the goods at home for later distribution to people in need. By 1998, activity had grown so that they had to institutionalize; they incorporated HGRM in 1999, found bigger storage and distribution sites, and increased their volunteers to 50. Last year, on a $15,000 budget (this is an all-volunteer operation), HGRM distributed more than 5600 pieces of substantial furniture and 2400 cartons of household goods to 2,222 families referred by 60 agencies. Every month it serves over 200 families, and completely equips 15-20 apartments. Many people it helps are despairing; HGRM gives them both material goods and renewed strength to move forward—the warmth of these transactions is important. Now, HGRM has grown again, into a large warehouse—more efficient, but more expensive. They need help covering the costs of expansion. If you like start-ups, simplicity, and helping folks, discover and support HGRM (prounced: HuG-RooM).

(2004: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)