{{{HUGGS}}} to Mike & Molly & their Band of Rescuers!

Some *ideas* that you might want to try (tried & tested by MY Fire Dept!):

Being a NON-Profit is a great advantage - that you need to play to the max!
We've had GREAT Luck visiting some of the larger chain stores in the area when we need something (often a prize for a raffel).

In our area, we call upon
Lowe's
Home Depot
WalMart

They're BIG, quite public minded; and have TONS of damaged, soiled, and otherwise un-sellable *stuff*...

The *trick* is to get to know the Store Manager or Very Senior Assistant! Try to set up a get-aquainted meeting on a slow day - let him/her choose the day & time. Introduce yourselves and Cobb Rescue - PHOTOS help!

Then present a Wish List of things you NEED and a brief explanation of how you'll use it or why you need it. The idea is to let the Manager "work" on the list - keep their eyes open and alert you when they discover an item on the list that they can either donate or sell at a steep discount.

In your case - I'd bet you can *find* a rather large, but somehow damaged, Air Conditioner - that one of the Stores will either outright GIVE you - or sell for 10% of cost... might not get it today or next week - but in plenty of time for next summer!

Furniture (like kitchen counters & cabinets?)
We "furnished" our new fire station office & kitchenette with NICE stuff for a few hundred dollars - visited the local chain Lumber Yard just before they remodeled their show display area... Cleaned out everything that "matched" for about 10% of their COST!

FOOD for the Kritters?
Get to know all the local Pet Shops - especially the larger chain outlets that sell tons of food... they're often faced with having Damaged Bags of food - can't sell it, often spilled on the floor...
Ask them to save it (maybe supply them with a big plastic garbage can to hold it) - and have a volunteer visit once or twice a week to pick it up. (Delivery Days are a good day - bags get damaged during off-loading from the trucks.)

Let your imaginations run a little *wild* and you might be suprised at what you can discover!

GOOD Luck!

/s/ Phred