Furniture banks provide solution for comfort returns

David Perry Executive Editor

No child in America should have to sleep on the floor.” That’s the powerful message of the National Furniture Bank Assn., which offers a solution to the thorny problem of comfort returns in the bedding arena. And it’s one that we should all take to heart — and not only bedding merchants.

As regular readers are well aware, we’ve been looking at the issue of comfort returns in some recent columns. We struck a nerve, obviously, and have received numerous e-mails on the topic. As we’ve noted, retailers generally decry the practice.

Among the letters we received on comfort returns was an important one from Don Lawrence, vice president of communications for the NFBA. Here’s what Don wrote:

“The National Furniture Bank Assn. humbly wishes to offer a way to alleviate the cost of handling comfort returns. Donate the returned bedding to a furniture bank! Not only will the retailer receive a tax deduction, but their customers can be assured they will not be purchasing a used mattress. Best of all, a child who had been sleeping on the floor now has a mattress.

“A ‘furniture bank’ is a nonprofit organization which collects good quality used furniture and provides it to those who need it. Those typically served by furniture banks include women and children escaping domestic violence, families struggling to stay above the poverty line, and victims of natural disasters.

“Furniture banks provide a cost-effective alternative to disposal, and recover thousands of tons of furniture and household items that are discarded annually. Eligible families are screened and referred to furniture banks by social service agencies for items that create a wholesome, decent home environment. No child in America should have to sleep on the floor.

“To date, NFBA affiliates have provided more than 50,000 beds, 25,000 sofas and over 75,000 chairs. More than 150,000 individuals and over 1,000 corporate sponsors, including hotels, businesses and furniture retailers, have donated items. NFBA agencies have served 100,000 families, representing 325,000 children and parents in the last 10 years. The estimated value of furniture and household items provided to families is tens of millions of dollars.

“The Help 1 Up program, the unified charitable effort in the furniture industry, is administered by the NFBA. The program offers direct and real benefits to consumers, retailers, media outlets, associations, and ultimately furniture banks and those in need of assistance.”

How about it? This is a worthy cause. It’s a good way to take the negatives of comfort returns and turn them into something positive.

For more information, go to this Web site: www.Help1Up.org.  (to view or add public comments click on "Add your Comment" below, or to email Dave directly click here.)