Poverty and Disaster Relief

AOI gathers and transports donated materials to poverty- and disaster-stricken areas of West Virginia. Since 2001, we have driven 513,371 miles, delivering 3645 tons of goods, and assisted 523,655 individuals across 45 counties in West Virginia (plus one county in Kentucky). We have also served 3899 individuals locally during recent disasters.

Now serving Ohio, Marshall, and Wetzel counties, we believe our new mission statement, “To ease the burden of poverty,” is more descriptive of how we serve the people in our area of West Virginia. We partner with local agencies and make regular monthly deliveries to ensure people in outlying areas have what they need to care for their families.

Suggested Items

  • Soap, shampoo, and hand sanitizer
  • Toothbrushes and toothpaste
  • Mouthwash and dental floss
  • Toilet paper
  • Shaving needs
  • Feminine hygiene products
  • Disposable diapers or Depends
  • Baby wipes, diapers, and care items
  • Baby furniture and clothes
  • Children’s clothes
  • Jackets and boots
  • Nonperishable food
  • Bottled water
  • New first aid items
  • Bedding and linens
  • Towels and curtains
  • Clean rugs and carpeting
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Laundry soap
  • Windows and doors
  • Kitchen and bath cabinets
  • Countertops
  • Vinyl siding and roofing materials
  • Drywall
  • Paint and painting supplies
  • Nails and bolts
  • Hand and power tools
  • Next-to-new furniture and appliances
  • Air conditioners and fans
  • Flat-screen televisions
  • Housewares
  • Toys, games, puzzles, and children’s books
  • School and art supplies
  • Sporting goods

Unnecessary Items

  • Dress clothes, suits, or high heels
  • Dirty, rusty, stained, or torn items
  • Books or knickknacks

Packing Instructions

  • Use boxes with lids or strong bags.
  • Separate and check items before packing.
  • Label each box or bag (e.g., men’s, women’s, boys’, girls’, babies’ sizes, summer/winter) and separate clothing into individual bags.