RUMFORD — Donations are on hold at Hope Association as the nonprofit waits for the construction of a larger storage shed at 85 Lincoln Ave.

Vickie Morton, director of community supports at the What Not Shop, said the 17- by 17-foot building, more than double the size they’re using now, has been in the works for two years. She said they were told by Mike Kelly, the contractor from Rumford they signed with, that the project would start last week after the completion of another project.

Originally slated to begin Sept. 9, construction will take about two weeks. The cement slab was set a while ago.

Morton said they stopped accepting donations near the end of August and hope it won’t be long before people can donate again.

“It’s huge to us. It brings money to us,” she said. “Some days are better than others. It pays our expenses first and then all other proceeds go towards the needs of our individuals that MaineCare doesn’t pay for. These include hearing aids, dentures, glasses.”

The Hope Association in Rumford started in 1956 when a group of parents and friends came together to support individuals with disabilities.

“The What Not Shop is why the Hope Association exists,” Morton said, “because it started out with yard sales and we built from that.”

She said donated items go to the What Not Shop thrift store.

“What we sell goes towards the needs of our individuals,” she said, “but if something comes in that I know an individual can use, they can shop there for what they need.”

The What Not Shop is not just clothing.

“We have everything in there from bedding to towels, dishes and pots and pans, silverware. Any kitchen and bakeware, puzzles,” Morton said. “We have tons of movies. And jewelry is a big thing, too. Everything finds a place.”

The What Not Shop hours are weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. When donations are accepted, hours are weekdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed weekends.

Morton said the main building of the Hope Association is required, by state law, to be licensed, “even though this building is not a residential facility. It’s the same as the five residential homes we run. But we also serve people in shared living, and serve people in in-home supports.”

The Office of State Fire Marshal does an annual inspection.

“What the public had been using as the donation drop-off can’t be used anymore,” Morton said. “It used to be filled to the max. We had to clean out that whole area.”

She said they still have the donations.

“We just have to bring them inside every day. It’s a tripping hazard right now because we don’t have the room,” she said. “That’s why we’re so desperate to get that other facility built.”

Morton said the larger storage area is “going to be so much more convenient.”

Anyone looking to donate furniture or large appliances should call Morton at 507-2041. Also, for any large donations, you must call and schedule an appointment. Car seats, weapons and knives or not accepted.

Morton said the program has about 50 participants, not including the 20 or so at the five residential homes, with another 34 with the shared living program where they live in their own home and people live with them, and there are four more with in-home supports and one who is in outreach.

“And there are three case managers who serve around 60 people in Oxford, Franklin and Androscoggin counties. Hope Association employs more than a hundred people,” she said.

For updates and more information, visit Hope Association on Facebook.

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