Furniture Sharehouse Reaches Milestones Fighting Furniture Poverty

Furniture Sharehouse announced today that in its 18th year of operation, it has officially served 18,000 clients and distributed 100,000 items of furniture representing $6 million worth of furniture given away for free to those in need. Furniture Sharehouse, Westchester County’s only furniture bank, recognizes these major milestones in helping furnish struggling homes as evidence of the organization’s impact as well as the continued need in Westchester County.

“We take great pride and happiness in knowing that we have helped so many of our Westchester neighbors rebuild their lives after overcoming dire personal circumstances like homelessness, natural disaster, domestic violence,” says Kate Bialo, Executive Director of Furniture Sharehouse. “Furniture poverty is a discouraging and draining way to live, affecting self-esteem, productivity, and mental health for adults and their children. Furniture provides the building blocks to start a new life after personal hardship. Our institutional milestones reflect the continued need in the community and the incredible generosity of our furniture and financial donors, member agencies, and volunteers.”

Since 2007, Furniture Sharehouse has provided free furniture to economically disadvantaged individuals and families living in Westchester County. Furniture Sharehouse connects donations of gently used furniture from local residents with those living in furniture poverty. Additionally, by connecting used furniture with those in need, Furniture Sharehouse keeps thousands of pounds of bulk out of the waste stream.

Requests for furniture for families and individuals struggling to afford to furnish empty homes has increased by 30% in the last year alone. Furniture Sharehouse furnishes between 8 to 12 homes per week and also raises funds to purchase brand new children’s beds, cribs, and bedding through its annual Beds for Kids campaign.