Habitat for Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills got another nudge toward opening its Richmond County ReStore from the Concord-based Cannon Foundation this week.

The site of the ReStore is expected to be announced at a luncheon next week.

The latest grant award is for $25,000, and follows the announcement of a $72,000 grant from the Cole Foundation in September.

The $97,000 in grants will help the non-profit establish its fundraising retail outlet, where donated building materials and household items can be sold to raise money to build homes in Richmond County.

“We’ve been extremely fortunate to receive grants from both the Cannon and Cole foundations for the Richmond County ReStore,” said Habitat Richmond County Area Manager Chris Carpenter. “We’ve had a solid start to this store and we’re excited to get people involved.”

Carpenter assumed his post in July and has headed up the effort to establish a local ReStore and become part of the United Way.

The $25,000 award from the Cannon Foundation will be used to remodel the location of the store once it is chosen. It will also aid the purchase of cash registers, computers, shelving and a forklift.

Cannon Foundation Executive Director Frank Davis said the money was awarded after Habitat of the Sandhills submitted a grant application to his organization.

“The Cannon Foundation makes grants to a wide variety of organizations in North Carolina,” Davis said. “We have supported Habitat for Humanity in our community and others in the state because we support their efforts.”

Davis also noted this award will allow the organization to begin its own fundraising efforts, as opposed to having to come back and ask for more money each year.

“It made sense to us,” he said. “We think the ReStore concept is a great idea to raise money, and this small grant from us will continue to generate revenue over time to help Habitat provide quality housing to people in Richmond County who need it.”

The original target date to open the Richmond County ReStore was Jan. 1, but has now been pushed back to April.

There is a ReStore in Aberdeen that is run by Habitat of the Sandhills, and the release says the Richmond County ReStore would have similar operational procedures.

“These donated goods will be sold for a fraction of the retail price to help the Sandhills affiliate fund the construction of Habitat homes in Richmond County,” it reads. “Materials sold by Habitat ReStores will provide an environmentally and socially responsible way to keep good, reusable materials out of the landfill and simultaneously provide funding for all of Habitat’s community improvement work.”

The Cannon Foundation, Inc. began in 1943, primarily as a corporate foundation, with giving focused on communities where Cannon Mills plants were located.

Following the 1971 death of its founder, Charles A. Cannon and the subsequent sale of the Cannon Mills Company, the Foundation evolved into an independent foundation.

The foundation makes grants for capital purposes; such as new construction, renovation and expansion; and projects and programs.

Generally, however, grants are not awarded to fund the operational expenses of an organization.

Habitat for Humanity of the N.C. Sandhills is a Christian, non-profit organization that offers affordable, interest-free mortgages to individuals in need of simple, decent housing, and who meet the group’s credit requirements.

Sandhills Habitat is currently seeking volunteers and supporters of all kinds, as well as applicants for future housing projects.

The organization is also in the process of accepting applications for the manager position at the ReStore. Interested parties should contact Carpenter.

Carpenter may be contacted at 334-1162 or 817-9526. The group’s Web site is www.sandhillshabitat.org.

Staff Writer Philip D. Brown can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 32, or by e-mail at pbrown@yourdailyjournal.com.