Beaufort nonprofit asks for suggestions, donations as it’s forced to look for new location

A Beaufort County nonprofit that has lent gently used medical equipment to those who need it for more than six decades is now asking the community for help as it searches for a new location.

The Lending Room, established as a 501(c)(3) organization in March 2013, must find a new place to house its equipment before April because the property it’s currently in is being sold.

For the past two years, the group has operated from a free-standing building on the Habitat for Humanity’s Parris Island Gateway property. Before then, it operated from Baggett Street for more than 18 years.

“We would like to find a forever home,” Board President Martha O’Regan said. “The group was run out of basements and garages for many, many years. Then we found this home, and we built it from donations we received. But now they’re trying to sell the property.”

O’Regan said the board was notified about the sale almost a month ago, but still isn’t sure where the organization will move and whether it will buy, rent or do something else. If the group doesn’t find a location before the April deadline, it will have to close operations, possibly permanently.

Right now, the community can help most (in addition to monetary donations) by suggesting options for where nonprofit could move — whether it’s land for sale or an empty unit that is available.

“Until we get suggestions on a location, we don’t have direction for fundraising yet,” O’Regan said. “We’re hoping to hear of spots then fundraise for whatever we need.”

In the meantime, the nonprofit is still lending equipment to the community for a minimum $1 donation. It’s also accepting equipment donations from those who no longer need the items, such as wheelchairs, rollators and portable oxygen concentrators.

The Lending Room, operated completely by volunteers, is open about three hours a day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For information, call (843) 524-2554 or email lendingroombft@gmail.com.

Donations can be made via check to The Lending Room, Inc., and mailed to P.O. Box 1535, Beaufort, S.C. 29901 or dropped off at the 616B Parris Island Parkway location.