Charitable Community Firewood Banks

I've done some research on the benefits/challenges/pitfalls of managing firewood banks in communities. In eastern upstate NY, to the best of my knowledge (please correct me if I'm wrong) there are no official organizations that exist to serve families who could use a little help heating their homes. I know my community a bit west of Albany could be served well by something like this.

I grew up in central Maine where there are several firewood banks; there are others across New England and for the most part they seem to be used honorably with minimal abuse, really give a hand to those who truly need it.

I'm looking for some objective suggestions on how to organize and manage a firewood bank, perhaps with suggestions on ways to avoid misuse and fraud (for instance I've heard of voucher access as a means to track the distribution and use of the bank's supply). The logistics of locating and processing wood are less challenging at the moment but any constructive advice and wisdom is welcome.

Thanks!

 

Oliver1655 might have some ideas for you too stoked ... after the winter we're "still" having, firewood ought to be in demand this spring, summer & fall. Good for you, helping out folks with heat for their homes...

 

While I help with the processing of firewood at charity cuts, I leave the distribution to locals.

The system they use it to let their local food banks & churches know wood is availible to those who meet the criteria: Wood is primary source of heat & ther is a financial need.

They encourage those physically able, to come to a charity cut & put in some sweat equity collecting/loading thier own wood as timing permits.

 

Our charity cuts were fund raisers for a school so people were paying for each load. The local Baptist church holds charity wood cuts for people that they have decided need help. I think that their criteria is elderly, depended on wood and can't get out to harvest it anymore. I think that a firewood bank is a great idea but you would have to be careful about liabilities issues. Your local food bank would be a great resource for finding out who needed extra help. Unfortunately those who really need the wood are those independent elderly who have always harvested it themselves and find it hard to ask for help. Oliver1655 had some good ideas about encouraging people who need wood to come out and help. Sometimes they can provide the labour while not being able to provide equipment or vehicles.

 

Thanks folks, this is good stuff.

I put quick calls in to the town supervisor, local food bank, Kiwanis and Boy Scouts to check their temp on the idea. thinking of talking to a couple of developers I know, too. The latter generally have deals with their contractors clearing sites but I'm sure they could spare a few cords, especially if it's smaller stuff that would normally see the insides of the chipper. So far people are intrigued.

Thanks again, I'll post progress soon.

 

I did a lt of work with Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly in Hancock, MI. Unfortunately, many loads went to people who didn't really need it. However, enough loads made a difference in someones life that I kept at it year after year. I mostly did saw work.

 

Been away for a few days, and thought I'd update that town supervisor is keen on the idea, seems Kiwanis and Boy Scouts are, too.

Supervisor said he's going to contact a few people, see if we can streamline our approach a bit based on demographics... ultimately this is about good old fashion dropping cutting splitting and stacking up front, but we need a bit more strategy on pick up and delivery. Based on a couple sources I figure we'll have 10-20 cords stacked by fall, maybe ready for use fall 2016.

My goal is to stack on pallets on some underused pavement set back from the main drag, let the heat of the sun irradiate then pavement keeps heating through early evening hours. I may try a modified home-made kiln approach, basis for which I've seen on this website. Usually I just lap the edges of some beat up 1/2"x4x8 plywood along the row over top, generally works just fine.

Saw a clever use of pallets for deliveries by one wood bank in Vermont

https://www.facebook.com/LamoilleFirewoodProject

basically 4x4s, wood stacked about 4' high, some plastic wrap to stabilize. Would prefer to minimize plastic but maybe we can deliver and unwrap, then recycle the wrap.

More later.

 

You will find stacking wood on pallets without ends to stack against will take 3-4 times as long.

I take a wire cattle panel & cut it down to 11' then bent it into a "U" shape to make sides & a back. An 14' 2x4 cut in half to make 2 - 7' pieces & a 4' length of 2x4 is fastened "n" to the open side of the cattle panel to keep it from spreading out. Clips made from plumbers strap are used to fasten the cattle panel in place.

This makes it easy to get the wood into as well as out of. Holds 1/2 cord & are reusable. If you stack them in rows 2 wide with the openings towards each other, you can drape a tarp over them with the wood 2x4 openings acting as a ridge pole & then use the wire of the cattle panel to anchor the outsides of the tarp to. You can stack them tight or leave around a foot between them for increased air movement. Works real well for me. These also make it simple to load a flat bed trailer with. Costs under $30 each with new material.