Texas - Houston Third Ward bike center - is it a bike shop?

I keep hearing from a friend of mine how great Third Ward bike center is. According to him, you can just waltz in with all your old unwanted bike parts, donate them, and in return pick through their junk pile for stuff and get it really cheap (free?). Basically it sounds like a co-op. I've been meaning to go there to pick up some parts for a cheap-and-dirty project but I'm not sure if this shop is meant for "people like me" i.e. people who can afford to go to a more expensive shop.

I've never been there before but my understanding is that it is operates more like a charity rather than a co-op and that it was originally meant for local kids to come down and get hooked up with a bike and learn how to make bike repairs.

http://www.workshophouston.org/programs/bike_shop.php

There you go, Google is your friend! It looks like it is intended more for the children.

-Nate

Yea, I've seen the site. I was thinking it was't telling the whole story though, based on reports from my friend. It seems plausible that they get a lot of their parts from donations, and that they probably don't mind if you take a widget here or there in exchange for a lot of stuff.

Try talking to the guys in charge and volunteer some time helping out the kids. Your experience would probably be appreciated. I'd be willing to bet they really wouldn't mind you snagging a part here or there in exchange for your time.