In 2016, Mindy Preckler and Julie Plaut Mahoney decided to turn people’s unwanted household goods into a lifeline and ray of hope for others.

“Julie called me and asked me to join her in getting things that residents no longer needed and that their kids didn’t want, like microwaves, Tupperware, and their other household items, into the hands of people who actually needed them,” Mahoney said on Wednesday morning to the crowd of about 30 supporters—volunteers, the mayor, state representatives and others—gathered on a loading dock in West Newton. “I would never say no to Julie, and so I agreed, and Welcome Home was born.”

Welcome Home is like a food pantry, but for household goods like plates, glassware and small appliances. The organization has helped people through hard times and restarts–through divorce, grief, an unexpected period of unemployment–from all over New England. And what started as a chat among friends has become a massive operation.

“We started as two, and we are now more than 130 volunteers,” Mahoney said.

What makes Welcome Home special is the lack of red tape. A person makes an appointment to come pick out some items, and on that day they head to Welcome Home and “shop.”

The building is stocked by volunteers with items that are either donated or bought in bulk from places like Target or Ocean State Job Lot. Items are stored in a small warehouse space in the back and brought up to the “store” area for people to browse.

It’s colorful. Organizers make sure the selection has variety, for reasons many may not expect, like when women leave abusive partners.

“They often want a different color kitchen than the one they came from before,” Plaut Mahoney explained as she gave a tour of the building. “So, we really try to make a lot of colors available, and that’s just something we’re very sensitive to.”

Welcome Home was a vital resource for many during the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting inflation crisis. And with tariffs and the war in Iran driving prices up again, Welcome Home is seeing new heights of demand.

“From our donations, we have a budget where we can purchase items that we don’t have,” volunteer Kiki Gross said. “Like a lot of small appliances we got a grant to purchase. We have shoppers, and they scour the stores to get the best prices on these things.”

State Sen. Cindy Creem admitted that she wasn’t sure the idea for Welcome Home would take off like it has but was gloriously proven wrong.

“We would all donate things, and I don’t know if I took it seriously enough,” Creem recalled. “I am amazed at how well you women have orchestrated and  worked. Oh, my God.”

Creem pledged to help the organization get what it needs as it grows even bigger through these uncertain economic times.

Laredo hailed the group and acknowledged the “tremendous creativity” Welcome Home has needed to utilize to get through the past 10 years, “not just the vision, but the ability to execute.”

“You have executed, and you have executed in a way that has made life better for residents in this city,” Laredo said. “I don’t think there’s a better accomplishment that any of us can have than to be able to say at the end of each and every day, we have done something to improve the lives of our neighbors.”

Anyone who wants to donate to Welcome Home can do so here.

MORE IMAGES

State representatives Amy Sangiolo and Greg Schwartz present a proclamation from Beacon Hill to Mindy Preckler in honor of Welcome Home’s 10-year milestone on Sept. 30, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Mayor Marc Laredo tours the Welcome Home facility in West Newton on Sept. 30, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

State Sen. Cindy Creem, left, and State Rep. Amy Sangiolo, right, attend Welcome Home’s 10th anniversary milestone on Sept. 30, 2026. Photo by Bryan McGonbigle

Welcome Home gives free home goods and housewares to people in need. Photo by Bryan McGonigle

Welcome Home gives free home goods and housewares to people in need. Photo by Bryan McGonigle