Solano Napa Habitat for Humanity finds power lifting helps in retaining the effort of citizens willing to donate their services.

"We have been using a donated stake truck, but the bed is about three ft. (0.9 m) off of the ground, and it was hard to keep volunteers" willing to lift heavy objects such as appliances and furniture, says Diane Agnone, executive director. The group needs volunteers for collecting and processing donations and dealing with merchandising and sales.

In December, the organisation began leasing an Isuzu box truck with a 1,600 lb. (720 kg) rear hydraulic lift capacity from the Future Ford of Sacramento dealership.

The Solano Napa group in its Fairfield warehouse operates a propane-powered Clark forklift with capacity approaching 3,000 lb. (1,350 kg), says Mike Glancy, manager for the Habitat ReStore collection site and retail sales store. The store opened in 2011.

The ReStore accepts donations of "new and gently used building materials", potentially diverting items destined for a landfill, and sells them often at 50% to 90% off retail prices.

Solano Napa Habitat for Humanity is an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, which was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia and has built more than 400,000 homes worldwide, often in partnership with families in need.