Photo by Heather Ziegler The Hidden Treasures thrift shop is packed with everyday household items, toys, clothes and much more. Proceeds from the sale of items helps others in need.

WHEELING — Appalachian Outreach Inc. is one of the area’s hardest working organizations since 2001, helping others faced with tragedy, disaster and economic hardships.

Now formally settling into its new home at 3643 Jacob St. in South Wheeling, Appalachian Outreach Inc. is playing catch-up with its efforts after more than a month-long shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AOI was founded by Rose Hart and Diane Reineke. Their original mission was to collect items needed to help fellow West Virginians affected by a devastating flood in McMechen. 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.

AOI 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. Since its inception, AOI has sorted, packed and shipped more than 3,747 tons worth on items to 46 counties and 65 areas.

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. The building is owned by the Jake Robinson family, which AOI board member Melinda Thompson said has been great about accommodating the organization.

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.

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.

The thrift store accepts donations while also offering a variety of items for sale at affordable prices. Grimes said money from Items sold at the store goes toward helping others in need. He noted that the South Wheeling neighborhood has been very receptive to what Hidden Treasures offers.

Angie Scherich, assistant manager at the store, said only clean, new or gently used items are accepted. The non-profit organization cannot afford to have to pay to have junk removed. Currently, AOI does not do pick-ups but drop-offs can be made during store hours: from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Other ways of assisting AOI’s mission are through at-home, work or church projects such as towel and bedding collections, knitting, sewing or crocheting items, holding fundraisers or collection drives for hygiene or cleaning products and more.

AOI is a member of the Neighborhood Investment Program, a tax credit program which allows 501(c)3 designated charitable organizations to apply for tax credit vouchers. This allows AOI to distribute the vouchers to businesses and individuals who contribute a minimum of $500 to organizations, receiving up to 50% in tax credit, allowing the donor or corporation to reduce their West Virginia tax liability no more than 50%. The organizations pay a 3% fee on the donation, which offsets the administrative costs of NIP.

This is a first-come, first-serve opportunity. For more information about the program, call 304-845-2762.

Thompson said anyone donating items can receive a tax receipt, and suggests a good time to donate is before the end of the year and tax season. Monetary donations can be made online at www.appalachianoutreaching.org.

With only four paid staff members, AOI is always in need of volunteers, too, to help sort and pack items for distribution. Inquire at the store or call the number above.