Opportunity House and the Wyomissing Public Library are teaming up Saturday, Aug. 8, for a “Fill the Truck” donation drive aimed at collecting gently used clothing, household goods and other items for people in need.
The donation drive will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. outside the Wyomissing Public Library, 9 Reading Boulevard. A truck will be stationed outside the library to collect donations, and anyone may participate regardless of where they live.
The drive is being held in conjunction with the library’s Summer Block Party, providing those participating in the event an opportunity to donate items they no longer need or were unable to sell.
“One of the greatest strengths of our community is the way organizations support one another,” Library Director Colleen Stamm said. “Hosting Fill the Truck at Wyomissing Public Library’s Summer Block Party allows us to help further Opportunity House’s vital mission while giving our patrons a meaningful way to give back. We are pleased to support Opportunity House’s work and the individuals and families they serve.”
Opportunity House holds Fill the Truck drives throughout Berks County to collect gently used clothing, shoes, books, household goods and other items. Donations are first made available to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Remaining items are sold at the OppShop in Muhlenberg Township, with proceeds supporting Opportunity House programs.
According to the organization, donations help provide clothing and shoes to shelter residents, professional clothing for people seeking employment and furniture and household items for clients moving into transitional or permanent housing. Clients can also receive transportation to the OppShop to select needed items at no cost.
Proceeds from items sold through the OppShop and Fill-a-Bag warehouse sales help fund Opportunity House operations, including two shelters in Berks and Montgomery counties, two early learning centers, two community food pantries, supportive housing programs and aftercare case management.
Opportunity House said donations over the past year helped the organization serve 646 clients in emergency shelters, provide clothing to 885 people living in shelters or permanent housing and provide 20,860 shelter bed nights.
The organization also said its reuse and recycling efforts have diverted close to two tons of items from landfills this year.
“Someone may see an old dresser or a bag of clothes. We see a young mother furnishing her next apartment, someone dressing for a job interview, or a person arriving at our shelter with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing,” Opportunity House CEO Alyssa Bushkie said. “Every donation helps someone begin again.”
Additional Fill the Truck events are scheduled throughout Berks County in August and September, including Aug. 22 at Berks Fire Water Restorations Inc., Aug. 28 at Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township, Sept. 12 at Ontelaunee Grange, Sept. 13 at Reformation Evangelical Lutheran Church and Sept. 17 during the Reading Roots Night Market at GoggleWorks Center for the Arts.
