This post may contain affiliate links, and I will be compensated (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase by clicking on my links.
Do you volunteer at a nonprofit nursing home? Then you’ll want to read this post. We all face the challenge of creating enjoyable and meaningful activities for our residents while staying within a tight budget. An organization called NAEIR may be able to help.
The National Association for the Exchange of Industrial Resources is a group that collects surplus merchandise from businesses and distributes it to nonprofit organizations. They’ve been in business since 1977.
Some of the companies that support NAEIR are Office Depot, Crayola, 3M, Papermate, Rubbermaid, and Delta. Available products include crafts, books, toys, party supplies, office supplies, and toiletries.
Your nursing home will need to pay a yearly membership fee to participate in the program. Currently, this ranges from $59 to $595 depending upon the membership level they choose. According to their website, members can expect to receive at least a 5:1 return on this investment. There’s also a small processing fee for each item to help cover NAEIR’s expenses. Shipping is usually free.
As an example, I found 6 tubes of poster paint for a $2 handling fee and free shipping. The regular cost at the store is $10. As one might expect, you do need to sift through lots of items in the online catalog to find products that are pertinent to your organization. (They offer everything from football pants to false eyelashes!)
All of the products are new and in excellent condition. NAEIR doesn’t collect or distribute items that are damaged or used. It’s important to note that the supplies must be used for the care of your residents or to support the organization. Therefore, you can’t sell the supplies or use them personally.
Interested? First, check with your nursing home administration as there’s a good chance they’re already a member of NAEIR. If so, ask how you can access the catalogs to order items for your volunteer projects. You can call 1-800-562-0955 with any questions, and go here to request more information. If you think this program sounds too good to be true, check out their positive rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Have you ever ordered products from NAEIR? I would love to hear about your experience in the comment section.
For even more ways to save money on activity supplies, you’ll want to check out these ten tips.
Leave a Reply