“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.”
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 furniture banks work
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.
Step 1:
Generous donors drop off, or arrange pick up of their gently used furniture. Furniture donors may be individuals, private organizations or public entities – basically any person or group in possession of gently used but unwanted furniture, housewares and more.
Step 2:
Families in need work with staff or volunteers to browse and choose their next home furnishings from available donated items. Furniture banks usually work with a range of social service and housing agencies to assess client needs – ensuring that donated furniture is transferred to the most vulnerable members of society.
Step 3:
Furniture donors feel great for making a difference in a family’s life, helping the environment and giving furniture a second chance.
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.”
