By Tracey Porpora Staten Island Advance
As Hurricane Sandy victims start to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of the worst storm to ever hit Staten Island, their needs are shifting from food and clothes, to replacing the many items — from furniture to appliances — that were devastated in the storm.
For this reason, Where to Turn, Eden II Foundation and Executive Women’s Council have started the “Back to Basics” project, which is collecting donations of furniture, appliances, kitchenware and other items to help families get back on their feet after the storm.
“In our outreach efforts — much of which was through Staten Island Sandy Outreach on Facebook — these are the items that people kept saying they needed,” said Dennis McKeon, executive director of Where to Turn. “They are the things that are overlooked. When you’re worried about your home, you’re not thinking about your toaster.”
An Island-based warehouse, donated to the group for the next few months, will house the collected items. The group is specifically seeking new or gently used living room furniture, lamps, televisions, television stands, dining room tables and chairs, dishes and glasses, pots, pans, silverware, coffee makers, toasters, toaster ovens, microwaves, new linens, new comforters, pillows and towels.
Donations will be accepted from 9:00am to 3:00pm at 150 Granite Ave. in Elm Park on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9. If anyone has donations, but can’t get to the warehouse, Back to Basics can make arrangements to pick them up.
“We are screening all items before we accept them,” McKeon said.
The group will not accept donations of beds or mattresses, or broken or damaged furniture. The group asks that photos be e-mailed of any used furniture prior to making the donation.
To make a donation, call 718-816-1422, ext. 296 or e-mail backtobascicsinitiative@gmail.com.
Monetary donations can be sent to:
Where to Turn
150-L Greaves Lane #312
Staten Island, NY 10308
(Please note, “Back to Basics” on the check.)
