SSE Opens Its Doors to Military Families

November 9, 2015 – Active military, veterans, reservists and their families will now have access to the online Exchange of Sustainable Surplus (SSE), a nonprofit that redistributes previously owned corporate items back into the community for use.  This means military members can join for free with the same status of a nonprofit organization and can acquire items at the Exchange at 80- to 90-percent discount on the value of a previously owned item.

The Exchange serves as a distribution center for donated surplus items from local companies.  Items include office supplies, desks, chairs, bookcases, computers, printers – most anything coming out of a business.  “Occasionally, we repurpose refrigerators and couches from corporate executive suites to needy shelters and families,” said SSE executive director Sue Prelozni.

SSE currently works with 14 military organizations in San Diego.  “It just makes sense to increase our outreach to all those who have served our country,” Prelozni said.  Adding military and their family members helps expand the mission of SSE – to repurpose items which have a still-useful life to those in need and to keep senseless waste out of the landfill.

“Sustainable Surplus has been a Godsend for Wounded Warrior Homes,” commented Gene Jennett, assistant director of WWH.  “Having this source of low cost office furniture and supplies has helped us stretch our funds and spend more of the community's donated dollars directly to helping our veterans.”

SSE has supported more than 400 educational, charitable and start-up organizations in San Diego County – benefiting 35,000 teachers, students, nonprofit beneficiaries and entrepreneurs.

“I think it is a great thing that Sustainable Surplus is doing by opening up this amazing resource directly to our veterans,” Jennett added. 

In order to participate in the program, military members just need to register online at www.sustainablesurplus.org. Their membership is free.  For more information about the program, contact SSE at info@sustainablesurplus.org