Brother, can you spare a dime? What about a door?

If you’re like me, there is a little bit of squirrel in you who is saving stuff for “when I need it.” Well, I’ve been storing stuff that I “need” for twenty years and haven’t used it yet. Does that sound familiar? Embarrassing, isn’t it? I have stuff that I wouldn’t use if I outlived Methuselah.

More importantly, there are people in Des Moines who need to use my stuff, more than I need to store my stuff. I went to The Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity ReStore Saturday, and I lightened my load by loosening my death grip on a little “good” stuff that I really didn’t need. ReStore might be able to use some of your good stuff too: tools, plumbing, cabinets, lighting, lumber, tile, hardware, carpet, doors, windows. Take a look at the list of donatable items or go visit the ReStore in person. It’s a trip! After that look around your garage, basement, and house then start a pile and take it in. The ReStore is on 2nd Avenue at Holcomb across from North High School.

The Habitat’s ReStore is green too. Thousands of tons of materials that might otherwise go to the landfill are sold for bargain prices and put to good use by others. Profits when ReStore sells your stuff will be used by Habitat for Humanity to build new homes while the items you donate are used by individuals to refurbish their own homes. Brother, can you spare a door? Brother, do you need a door?

Brother, can you spare a dime? is a song with lyrics written by Yip Harburg who wrote the lyrics to many songs you would recognize including April in Paris and Over the Rainbow. Brother, can you spare a dime? is a Depression era song about a person who has always been a solid, contributing citizen but suddenly finds himself in need. The song was part of the musical Americana. You can read the words on line or even hear it. It was an important enough song that historian Howard Zinn cited it in Chapter 15 of A People’s History of the United States 1492-Present.

With the floods of 2008 a lot of our Iowa neighbors are rebuilding and refurbishing their homes. If you can spare a dime, try the Red Cross, United Way, or Embrace Iowa. If you can spare a door or a tool, try the ReStore. If you need an item, try the ReStore.

photo by flickr by ifijay 

Guest Writer: James G. Lindberg (Jim) is the Purple Wren’s sweetie and is a visiting chemistry professor at Grinnell College and retired from Drake University.