New ReStore Truck Helps Keep Habitat PKR in the Driver’s Seat at National Waste Reduction Week Celebration

Last Friday, October 25, MPP Dave Smith was at an event for Habitat for Humanity Peterborough and Kawartha’s (Habitat PKR) celebration of National Waste Reduction Week. At the celebration, Habitat PKR proudly unveiled its new ReStore truck made possible through a $81,600 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) last fall. This investment has enhanced Habitat PKR’s ability to support sustainability initiatives, reduce waste, and expand its community impact.

“Habitat for Humanity plays a vital role in strengthening and enhancing the resilience of our communities,” said Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha. “This grant from the province of Ontario, provided through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, enables Habitat to connect with donors more swiftly and increases the support available to construct safe, affordable homes for families,” added MPP Smith.

The OTF’s investment is helping Habitat PKR strengthen its free donation pickup service by increasing donation capacity, efficiency, and service delivery. The new truck will reduce wait times for donors, streamline scheduling, and allow more frequent service to the rural communities that Habitat PKR serve. In 2023, Habitat PKR successfully diverted an impressive 331,730 items from landfills through community donations, and this truck will play a critical role in growing that impact.

In addition to pickups, the truck will also assist in Habitat PKR’s kitchen and home deconstruction program, which offers homeowners a free removal service of kitchens and large built in items. Donors may qualify for a charity tax receipt, and the expertly removed items are then sold in Habitat ReStores, with the proceeds directly supporting building safe, affordable homes for local families.

“Thanks to the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s generous support, we’re able to grow our sustainable practices and improve how we serve the local community,” said Susan Zambonin, CEO of Habitat PKR. “This key funding helps not only divert more usable items from landfills but also to continue our mission of building much-needed affordable housing. We’re incredibly grateful for OTF’s investment.”

Thanks to this new truck, Habitat PKR expects to increase the amount of gently used donations it collects and to better meet the affordable housing needs of the local community while making a significant impact on reducing waste.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Holly O’Connor, Communications & Marketing Manager
705-874-0201 | holly@habitatpkr.ca