Share this on

Furniture Bank accepting market samples

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 18, 2006

At The Market — With the help of MGM Transport, the National Furniture Bank Assn. will accept donations of furniture from exhibitors at this month's High Point Market. MGM will collect the donated furniture from exhibitors' showrooms.

While it appreciates all donations, the NFBA says the need is greatest for dining room tables, chairs, sofas or sofa beds, lamps, comforters and other bedding materials. All donations are tax deductible.

The NFBA represents nearly 70 furniture banks across the country. They are non-profit organizations that collect gently used furniture from the public and the home furnishings industry, and provide it to children and families in need.

Typical furniture bank clients are women and children escaping domestic violence, victims of natural disasters such as hurricanes, and working families living in poverty. The banks' motto is that no child in America should have to sleep on the floor.

Kimberley Wray, vice president of marketing and communications for the High Point Market Authority, said that the NFBA provides a way for exhibitors to save money while doing something good for people in need.

"For many of our exhibitors, it just doesn't make financial sense to ship display merchandise back to their warehouses," Wray said. "Donating furniture directly to the NFBA is a win-win situation for everybody involved."

In 2005, furniture banks served 40,000 victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, but only scratched the surface. Over a year later, the NFBA still receives dozens of calls each week from families still trying to rebuild their lives in the wake of the storms' destruction.

To donate furniture from a High Point showroom or to become a financial sponsor of the NFBA, contact Don Lawrence, NFBA vice president of communications, at dlawrence@help-1up.org or (800) 576-0774.

Visit www.Help1Up.org for more information or to become a corporate sponsor.

The NFBA's board of directors includes industry leaders and founders of some of the most successful furniture banks in the country. They are Ray Allegrezza, editor-in-chief, Furniture/Today; Sharron Bradley, executive director, Western Home Furnishings Assn.; Steve DeHaan, executive vice president, National Home Furnishings Assn.; Mary Frye, president, Home Furnishings International Assn.; Chuck Haas, CEO, MetroFi; Tom Polk, founder, Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta; Jeff Hay, founder, Material Assistance Providers of Columbus, Ohio; Oli Mohammed, executive director, Furniture Bank of Houston; and Carol Kane, founder, Mustard Seed of Central Florida.

Share this on

Bedding veterans recall Roy Unger's influence

Oct 26, 2011

Maitland-Smith launches first licensed line

Oct 24, 2011

Next Generation-Now sets High Point cocktail party for Oct. 25

Oct 18, 2011

FMCA honors Norma Yount, Rick Clanton at 50th anniversary event

Sep 29, 2011

Homes to get smaller, more eco-savvy, IFDA members say

Sep 2, 2011

Also by this author

Also by Staff Staff

Featured Company

Brandwise Inc.

Brandwise serves a model - not just an industry - by integrating, automating, and optimizing the entire sales channel, from wholesale Suppliers to their Reps and the Retailers they service. In short, our software helps Reps and Suppliers sell more and create... more

Most Recent Resources

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market

Here is a selection of products shown at this month's International Gift & Home Furnishings Market here.

Networking at the 13th annual F/T Leadership Conference

NAPLES, Fla. — Industry executives and guests took the opportunity to network and play golf during down time at Furniture/Today's 13th annual Leadership Conference here this month.