MANSFIELD — The first Furniture Bank of North Central Ohio is now open and ready to accept donations of gently-used furniture and household items.
A furniture bank operates similarly to a food bank and will provide furniture to those in need, including,
Individuals and families transitioning homelessness
Victims of domestic violence
Emancipated foster youth
Victims of personal crisis and natural disaster
Immigrants and refugee families
Veterans
Furniture and household essentials are an often overlooked necessity for people seeking stability, security, comfort, and a better future.
Furniture not only fills a house with practical comfort but instills a sense of hope and dignity for those starting over and/or fighting back from crisis — furniture provides individuals the opportunity to relax, reflect, and regenerate to go out and build a better life for themselves and their families.
Empowering families to achieve sustainable independence is the mission of the furniture bank. This mission cannot be achieved without a community-based response.
The furniture bank is requesting donations of clean, gently used items in good working condition.
Donations are accepted by appointment at its facility at 775 Springmill Street or can be scheduled for pickup free of charge (please consider a small donation to cover fuel costs if possible).
As soon as the Furniture Bank has furniture, it will begin servicing referrals as early as June.
The Furniture Bank of North Central Ohio will be operations in Richland County and will expand to the surrounding counties of Ashland, Huron, Morrow, and Delaware as resources and operational capability allow.
The program will also include a Bed for Kids component where beds are provided for all children who need one.
You can learn more about the Furniture Bank of North Central Ohio by visiting it at www.furniturebankncohio.org or on facebook @furniturebanknorthcentalohio.
In addition to furniture and household items, the furniture bank will gladly accept financial donations to help support operations.
The Furniture Bank is also soliciting volunteers to help refurbish and clean furniture. Please call the furniture bank at 419-709-7649 or reaching out directly to its Executive Director, Pam Milligan, at 775-771-5876.