Have you ever found yourself in a conundrum with a couch, possessing a large but usable piece of furniture that’s in good condition, but no longer needed? Recently, I was in this situation with a rather sizable leather couch from IKEA. Having no desire waste time waiting for a random Facebook Marketplace individual to stand me up, or attempt to balance the couch in the trunk of my SUV to donate it somewhere, I searched out an alternative. Enter my new favorite non-profit, New Life Furniture Bank, located in Blue Ash, Ohio.
What is New Life Furniture Bank?
New Life Furniture Bank provides furniture and household items to individuals and families in need. (Get out the tissues, y’all. These peeps are adorable.) The organization’s mission is to help people who are struggling to make ends meet and provide them with the necessary resources to create a cozy place to call home. This allows them to focus on other areas of their lives, such as education and employment. In addition, the organization’s commitment to sustainability has helped to reduce waste in the community and promote a more environmentally conscious approach to furniture and home decor. (I mean, I just can’t.)
How Does New Life Furniture Bank Help the Community?
By collecting gently used furniture (like my couch) and household items from the community, they can redistribute those items to families and individuals who have been referred to the organization by local social service agencies. New Life Furniture Bank is a fantastic resource in the region that serves thousands each year, many of of which are children.
The organization’s goal is to provide each family with enough furniture and household items to create a comfortable living space. They provide beds, dressers, couches, and kitchen tables. Let that sink in for a minute, because what we’re really talking about is providing the feeling of “home” to people. Basic items like these are what transform a space and elevate it to one that upholds our human dignity. Simply eating at a table and having a soft place to rest one’s head are impactful changes in a person’s life!
One of the unique aspects of New Life Furniture Bank is their commitment to sustainability. I really love this one. Rather than discarding items that are not in perfect condition, the organization works to repair and refurbish furniture whenever possible, extending the life of each item and reducing waste. In addition, the organization has partnered with several local businesses and organizations to create a program that repurposes wood scraps (the craft hoarder in me squeals with delight). They use these scrap materials to make furniture and home decor items that are sold in the organization’s thrift store. Green and functional!
How Can You Get Involved?
There are several ways to support New Life Furniture Bank’s mission. The organization accepts donations of gently used furniture and household items, as well as financial donations. In addition, volunteers are always needed to help sort and organize donations, as well as assist with deliveries and pickups.
Speaking of pick-ups, the retrieval of our couch was seamless and contact free. They called on the day and time agreed upon and we left the couch (with our optional monetary donation to assist with its collection) in the garage. They only asked that the furniture is left in a covered space like a garage or covered porch. It was an easy way to give back to the region I love all the while getting a jump start on Spring cleaning (win-win).
Thrift store lovers can also support their mission while finding great deals on a variety of treasures. Please visit their website for a current list of acceptable items for donations and hours of operation. Consider this: that unused bed frame in the basement taking up space could really change a room and outlook for another Cincinnatian.
