“Because I was leaving a hostile environment and the hostility towards me continued after the separation, having furniture wasn’t just a luxury, it was a necessity. I had to prove that I had a home that was suitable for my child and her well being. I needed furniture – and the Furniture Bank – so that I would be able to have a bed for my child and a dresser drawer to store her clothes.”
The Furniture Bank Network
Getting started is easy!
The Furniture Bank Network is a collection of furniture banks from across North America. Members of the FBN (Furniture Bank Network) can communicate and collaborate with like-minded people. The exposure of the North American directory map and perhaps most importantly, being a part of a network, can be used to present members as a unified group of partners that can benefit from corporate partnerships.
Furniture banks are the most socially and environmentally responsible option for unwanted furniture!
Furniture banks prevent tens of thousands of pounds of furniture from entering landfills each year. This furniture gets put back into its community where it can have a second chance at life. Generous furniture donors can rest easy knowing that their furniture is being used by a family in need who cannot afford furniture instead of rotting in a landfill where it is no use to anyone. Why pay money to have someone throw it in a landfill when you can hire their social enterprise or make a financial donation to cover the costs of transport? The choice is clear.
How the Furniture Bank Network works
Not all furniture banks operate exactly the same, but all aim to ensure good furniture and housewares end up back into the community to support getting children off the floor, and families established in a furnished home. The FBN aims to connect furniture banks together so that they can learn from one another and share in the fight against furniture poverty.
Step 1:
Potential members reach out to the Furniture Bank Network using our “Contact Us” page. From here potential members will request to be added to the directory.
Step 2:
Members benefit from being added to the Furniture Bank Network map and directory. Members will also get access to the FBN members section where they can chat and collaborate with other furniture banks.
Step 3:
Members will get access to the Furniture Bank Network member branding to use on their site to show their connection with the FBN.
Why Furniture Matters
“I was physically removed from my house – I couldn’t believe it. My son was with me at the time. Luckily for her, my daughter was at a sleepover. We were locked out of the house and couldn’t get anything inside: furniture, housewares, clothing and valuables, nothing! Furniture Bank’s furniture donors made our empty house a home, something I couldn’t afford to do on my own. It helped bring my family back together.”
“I was grateful to receive priority housing. Even though my place is bright and airy, the nights were tough. Sleeping on the floor was painful. Without anything in my apartment, every little noise was amplified. I have multiple locks on all of my doors. But, the noises at night still jarred. Those blank white walls are black once the sun goes down. I continued to have nightmares.”
