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The thrift store accepts donations while also offering a variety of items for sale at affordable prices. Terry Grimes, general manager at the thrift store, said the most common requests are for furniture and household items to help people who have lost everything due to house fires or floods. Through the network, AOI receives specific “wish lists” for those seeking help and works to provide some of the most basic needs of others in places where few agencies are available to assist residents. The building is owned by the Jake Robinson family, which AOI board member Melinda Thompson said has been great about accommodating the organization. Previously located in Marshall County, AOI now operates the Hidden Treasures thrift store at the Jacob Street location in Wheeling and will soon be expanding its warehousing capabilities into the former Cooey-Bentz furniture store located adjacent to the thrift store. Since its inception, AOI has sorted, packed and shipped more than 3,747 tons worth on items to 46 counties and 65 areas.
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That project morphed into much more as the women and a host of volunteers realized the expanding needs of other victims of fires, homelessness, job loss and more.ĪOI developed a network of partnerships to collect new or gently used items for distribution to victims of poverty and disaster in West Virginia, Tazewell County, Virginia, and Carter and Pike counties in Kentucky. Their original mission was to collect items needed to help fellow West Virginians affected by a devastating flood in McMechen. is playing catch-up with its efforts after more than a month-long shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.ĪOI was founded by Rose Hart and Diane Reineke. in South Wheeling, Appalachian Outreach Inc. Now formally settling into its new home at 3643 Jacob St.