Wilda’s Wishes turns donated items into fresh starts
New donation center offers furniture and household supplies
Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER<br> Pictured is the inside of Wilda’s Wishes, a donation center that offers household items like tables, chairs and kitchen supplies.
Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER<br> Household supplies such as diapers and baby wipes will be available at Wilda’s Wishes, located in the basement of the Coleman House.
Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER<br> Pictured is the inside of Wilda’s Wishes, a donation center that offers household items like tables, chairs and kitchen supplies.
Sentinel photo by SIERRA BOLGER<br> Household supplies such as diapers and baby wipes will be available at Wilda’s Wishes, located in the basement of the Coleman House.
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LEWISTOWN -- In the basement of the Coleman House, a hospital bed waits for someone who needs it.
Nearby sit shower chairs and crutches. There are bedroom suites, couches, tables, and chairs. A room for babies and toddlers holds cribs and a toddler bed. Shelves carry diapers, wipes, toilet paper, and paper towels.
None of it has a price tag.
The items fill Wilda's Wishes, a new Mifflin County Housing Authority donation center for people who need help furnishing or maintaining a household.
The center, at the rear of 26 W. Market St. in Lewistown, will open to the public for the first time Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. It will be open during those hours on the first Thursday of each month.
Beth Hoar, an occupancy specialist for the Housing Authority, said the idea grew from work she had already done for local fire victims. She helped provide donated items to victims of the Terrace fire, then began thinking about how the effort could reach more people.
"I had been wanting to expand and do more and bigger," Hoar said.
The reason was easy to explain.
"Need," she said. "One word: need."
Recent fires have left local families trying to replace furniture, household supplies and other belongings. Others may be homeless or struggling to afford basic household supplies.
Wilda's Wishes was made for all of them.
People don't need to live in Housing Authority property to visit the center. There are no income limits.
"It's open to the entire community," Hoar said. "You don't have to be in housing. It's open to anybody."
Visitors may come through the door, look around and take items they need for daily life. Everything is free.
The center doesn't place a general limit on the number of items a household may receive, although it won't hold furniture for later pickup. First Quality products will be limited to one item per visitor so more people can receive them.
First Quality donated diapers, wipes, toilet paper, and paper towels. Visitors may choose one item from that section during each opening.
The rest of the center resembles the beginning of a home. A table gives a family a place to eat dinner. A crib gives a baby a place to sleep. A shower chair may help someone remain independent.
For someone starting over, ordinary household items can become immediate needs.
The center relies entirely on donations. Hoar said the center doesn't accept toys or clothing and may reject other items. She asks residents to call before bringing donations so she can explain what the center can accept.
The center was full before its first public opening.
As visitors take items, volunteers will bring out additional donations as space becomes available. Hoar hopes donations will continue as items find new homes.
Hoar's retired sister-in-law has volunteered to help staff the center. At least one other person has expressed interest in volunteering. Hoar said additional volunteers are welcome.
The Housing Authority may also adjust the schedule after seeing how many people come through the doors. Evening hours, longer openings, or additional days could be added if the community needs them.
"We're not opposed to opening longer or different days or times," Hoar said.
The center carries the name of Wilda Fisher, a longtime advocate for people facing housing insecurity.
Fisher served for years as director of Shelter Services and later sat on the Mifflin County Housing Authority Board of Directors. Hoar said Fisher became known throughout the community for helping people whose lives had reached a difficult place.
"She has a heart of gold, and she's always stepped up to the plate to do so many good things for people in our community," Hoar said.
Fisher is being honored during her lifetime, allowing her to see the work continue.
Hoar said Fisher's years at the shelter made the name a natural fit. She spent much of her career assisting people facing housing problems. The donation center continues that work through beds, chairs, diapers, and other household necessities.
"It was an honor for us to be able to honor her by doing this," Hoar said.
Visitors can reach Wilda's Wishes through the alley beside the Embassy Theatre. The entrance is at the rear of the Coleman House. A sign marks the entrance.
Hoar encouraged residents to stop in and see whether the center has something they need. Residents with usable household items can call Hoar to learn whether the center can accept them.
For donation information or to volunteer, contact Hoar at (717) 248-2624, ext. 10.
The basement is full now.
On Thursday afternoon, its doors will open, and the things waiting inside will begin finding homes.