Furniture Bank Now Open

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From Housing to Homes: Chattanooga Furniture Bank Fills Unique Need
Mayor cuts the ribbon at grand opening of this area’s only no-cost furniture distributor

Mayor Ron Littlefield and approximately 100 area citizens helped the Salvation Army and United Way of Greater Chattanooga kick-off the grand opening of a new joint venture, the Chattanooga Furniture Bank (CFB), on Wednesday, March 24 at 1:30 p.m. After the ribbon cutting ceremony, organized by the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, guests were invited to tour the facilities, which are organized much like a traditional furniture store.

The Chattanooga Furniture Bank provides furniture to people in need as a bridge to self-sufficiency so they can begin to build a stable life for themselves and their families. It makes every effort to ensure that individuals and families have the furniture they need to turn housing into a home by helping those who are moving from homelessness to permanent housing in our community. Gently used, donated furniture is given at no charge to families verified to be in need by partner agencies that work with homeless and displaced families in our neighborhoods.

“This is a wonderful example of how two nonprofits can join forces to leverage their resources for advancing the common good in our community,” said Eva Dillard, President and CEO of United Way of Greater Chattanooga. “We are blessed to be in such a generous community, and this is just another way for people to share their generosity. It’s also a great way to help the environment, because usable furniture is going to someone who can make good use of it, rather than it being discarded.”

United Way will provide administrative oversight while the Salvation Army will provide onsite management. The City of Chattanooga donated the location, which is at 700 East Eleventh Street, and provided a start-up grant from its Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development.

"The Salvation Army is looking forward to its continued partnership with The United Way," states Major Jim Lawrence. "When we all work together we reach even more of our neighbors in need!"

The furniture will go to a wide variety of recipients: battered women and children looking for a safe environment, working families struggling to stay above the poverty line, victims of natural disasters or fires, and homeless individuals or families. When people in these circumstances do find housing, their new homes are often empty. After expenses such as food, utilities and rent are paid, these families often have nothing left for even the most basic household furnishings. Without furniture, it’s nearly impossible to create a stable, welcoming home environment.

All CFB recipients must be referred by an agency that works with displaced or homeless persons and families and is a member of the Furniture Bank and abides by its requirements. Current members include the Salvation Army, the AIM Center, Veterans Administration, the Interfaith Homeless Network, The Next Door, and Partnership for Families, Children and Adults. The requirements for clients who receive furniture are:

• No one may come to the furniture bank without an appointment arranged by a member agency.
• The member agency must certify that the recipient has a permanent home for which the furniture is needed.
• The member agency will need to continue to work with the family or individual to provide support services after the recipient is housed.

The Furniture Bank needs help in order to give help. It needs volunteers to help with distributing and picking up used furniture. It is also reaching out to furniture companies, retailers, hotels/motels, civic groups and individuals for donations. The CFB seeks donations of furniture appliances and other household goods that can be used by families in need to create a comfortable home. The following are some items very much in need by the CFB (especially sofas and bed frames): beds, bed frames, microwaves, mattresses, TVs, tables, washers, dryers, couches, stoves, lamps, refrigerators, kitchen chairs, kitchen tables, sets of dishes, love seats, den or living room chairs, stand-alone cabinets, and linens.

There are many different ways for the public to be involved in this work:

• Individuals and families can give their gently used furniture to the Chat­tanooga Furniture Bank. Donations are tax-deductable. The CFB will work with anyone to try to arrange pickup.
• Furniture and appliance retailers or whole sellers can ask their customers to donate their old furniture to the CFB. If you are a retailer and pick up your customers’ old furniture, please bring it to the Furniture Bank. The CFB will also take scratch and dent items.
• Realtors, hotels and motels can donate any usable chairs, dressers, bureaus, mattresses and tables. The CFB will work to arrange pickup.

The Chattanooga Furniture Bank is a partnership between the Salvation Army and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, funded in part by a grant from the City of Chattanooga’s Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development.

Call 423-757-9527 for more information or to make a furniture donation.