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Furnishing families in need takes a community
By Sharon K. Wolfe
swolfe@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON — Just because a mortgage is paid off doesn’t mean you’re on Easy Street. Repairs, maintenance and utility costs are expenses that stick around.

But the situation at Recycling Furniture for Families is much better than it was, thanks to people donating money and time to the charity that gives basic furnishings to families.

Thanks to more volunteers, the wait in getting furniture is now down to two weeks from six weeks. The charity works with 16 agencies who screen people for referrals.

“We are so grateful for everyone who responded, whether it was $1 or $100,” said Latricia Frison, operations director of the non-denominational Christian charity. The community came up with $25,000 to match a $25,000 grant well before the deadline in September. That paid off a debt on the building, but everyday expenses remain.

The largest single donation was $10,000 from Delta Management Group. The agency also was given a used moving van from Mike Hundman to replace a dilapidated truck.

The smallest donation was a penny, accompanied by kind words from an older man praising them for their work.

Every material donation made a difference, “whether it was one plate or a whole houseful of furniture,” Frison said.

After public appeals for help, the volunteer situation has stabilized, Frison said. Judy Crisp is coordinating the 100 slots for volunteers instead of Frison, who was overloaded with other duties.

“We’ve got just enough volunteers, which makes it so much easier,” said receptionist Della Burns. “It’s like we’ve got all our apples in a row.”

There is still a need for substitutes to volunteer to take information from families and then help them select furnishings in the warehouse during office hours Mondays through Thursday, Frison said. Substitute moving-van drivers and helpers are needed occasionally 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

And with winter coming, keeping down heating costs for the warehouse is crucial. They have two new storm windows — but no one they’ve contacted has had time to install them.

And as for pain at the gas pump, it costs about $120 to fill up the moving truck.

But the pleasure of making a big difference makes it all worthwhile. One recent recipient was a woman with five children fleeing domestic violence. “Beds, dressers, kitchen table, dishes. … She got everything. She cried and was so grateful. She was just in shock. She was in awe,” Frison said.

Last year, 15,072 household furnishings were donated to 942 households, while expenses were $126,186 and income was just $110,000.

“We don’t have a savings account — we’d like one for emergencies,” Frison said.

How to help



Recycling Furniture for Families, 515 N. Center St., Bloomington, can be reached at (309) 829-6500 during office hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Warehouse dropoffs can be made from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Here are some ways to help the charity:

-- Money is always welcome for daily expenses

-- Twin, full, or queen beds and frames

-- Dressers, kitchen tables and chairs

-- Upholstered chairs and microwaves

-- Small televisions, fans and bedding

-- Towels and basic kitchen items

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Reader comments on this story - 2 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Great Place wrote on Oct 15, 2007 12:38 PM:

" Great Work. Great People. If you have two hours a month to volunteer, it makes you feel great too. "

All Faiths Could Join In wrote on Oct 15, 2007 3:32 AM:

" Wouldn't it be great if some of the local churches, mosques, synagogs and any other places of worship could join together to help with donations of items and funding along with more volunteers for this very needed charity? After-all it's not about what faith one is, it's about human beings helping other human beings in their time of need. Just a thought...... "
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