Furniture Bank

A number of years ago, Sister Anne Schenck founded the Furniture Bank. http://www.furniturebank.org/org.htmlThis is a wonderful concept which I only wish had been available when I bought some new furniture and could only find one way of clearing out the old furniture. It went into the garbage. Despite the fact the couch and chair were solid and only needed the slip covers that were on them. We wanted different furniture for our new home and also a sofa bed.

Refugees and those living in shelters are forwarded to the Furniture Bank by service groups, such as World Vision and the Salvation Army to help them get a dignified new start on life.

Schenck opened the Furniture Bank in a 25,000 square foot warehouse on Madison Avenue in January of 1998. The property, as well as a delivery truck, were donated to them by movers Tippet Richardson- what a wonderful gesture!

Most of the furnishings that come into the Furniture Bank are left over from estate sales, but some are donated by members of the community. In one case, Schenck says there was a woman who told her children, that when the time came that she no longer needed her furniture, she wanted it to be donated to the bank, so that it go those in need.

The Furniture Bank recycles approximately 250 metric tonnes of furniture each year and furnishes an average of 10 homes in need each day.

One of the local papers recently profiled Sister Anne Schenck the founder of the Furniture Bank, a worthy local hero.