Flood-stricken families struggling to get back on their feet can get help at the former Guilford Mills plant in Cobleskill.
And it's all free.
Open since the fall, the huge warehouse is still stocked with everything from appliances to baby shoes.
The collection center was an independent volunteer effort at first. It's still all-volunteer, but organizer Colleen Moore has developed the center as a non-profit CARE for New York State Inc.
Schoharie County, which owns the Guilford plant, is allowing CARE--Community Area Resource Effort--to stay in the large warehouse.
"Thankfully," Ms. Moore said.
She plans to keep CARE as a long-term center, first for flood victims, then for families suffering from other disasters.
"A lot of people are far from being back in their homes," Ms. Moore said. "Some are just starting to muck out."
Also, some families weren't ready for furniture and other goods when the center opened in the fall. With more homes having been repaired, those families may be ready now.
"We want to be here for them," Ms. Moore said. "There's a strong need."
Over time, there may be other disasters--another flood, an ice storm--that will renew the need, she added.
The inventory of goods is extensive: Dishwashers, refrigerators, stoves, lamps, sofas, ironing boards, clothes, glassware, kitchen supplies, dishes, book cases, chairs, tables, bottled water, cleaning supplies, food and more.
To get items, families need only show FEMA or insurance papers, photo ID and "proof of residence to know they're affected," Ms. Moore said.
Getting those items--especially big-ticket items such as appliances--helps twice.
"It's huge," Ms. Moore said. "They get the appliance, and then they can put that money they were going to spend towards rebuilding."
Donors from around the region have been generous. Albany Marriott Residence Inn is remodeling, for example, and used furniture and appliances are coming to CARE as the rooms are re-done.
"That stuff barely gets in the door and then it goes out again," Ms. Moore said.
Some needs remain. CARE would welcome donations of queen and full beds, Ms. Moore said.
"Washers and dryers, there's a long list for those," she said. "We have a lot of a electric stoves but no gas stoves.
"And building supplies--sheetrock, compound, nails, really anything like that."
Ms. Moore has five volunteers who work every day and others who help occasionally. She could use more to help sort, stack and organize goods.
"I'm very grateful for the people who help," she said. "We wouldn't be here without them."
Ms. Moore herself is a volunteer. She was laid off from her job last May and is now devoted to CARE.
"I think things happen for a reason," Ms. Moore said.
The CARE center is open for pickups or donations Monday through Saturday 10-3.
CARE also accepts donations that can be mailed to PO Box 213, Cobleskill; also, there's a CARE account with the SEFCU office in Cobleskill.
Anyone with questions can call Ms. Moore at 231-6330.