Habitat for Humanity Starts Accepting Vehicle Donations

A local nonprofit gave residents a way to donate to a good cause and get rid of their old jalopies.

Habitat for Humanity Inland Valley, which has an office in Temecula, now accepts vehicle donations, the organization announced recently.

“Many times, used cars end up in a landfill or sitting idle, but donating an vehicle for recycling or reselling is a hassle-free and easy way for anyone to help support their local Habitat affiliate and help provide affordable housing within their own community,” according to Marcia Rundle, director of the program.

It kicked off the new program, called “Cars for Homes,” on April 22. The initiative asks people to donate their used cars, trucks, RVs, boats or other vehicle to raise funs for building homes for needy families, according to spokesperson Kristi Reedy.

The proceeds of the program – which started about six years ago in other parts of the country – funded 1,055 local offices for the organization in the U.S., Canada and overseas.

More than 30,000 vehicles were donated so far, creating $3 million in revenue, Reedy said.

Many of the vehicles donated are unable to run, so the organization recycles them, Rundle said in an emailed statement.

“On average, more than 50 percent of the vehicles we receive each year are recycled,” she said. “So, donating idle cars not only helps the community but also lets all of us be good stewards of our environment.”

The organization runs the Temecula , a home improvement shop that sells only donated goods. The proceeds fund the organization.

More information is available by calling 951-296-3362.