Winter Has Been Long

March 10, 2015

Winter has been long, and while Hopenow Furniture Bank warehouse operations have been interrupted somewhat, we certainly have not been hibernating!  During the last 2-3 months, executive board members have repeatedly met with a very knowledgeable consultant, collected and analyzed organizational data, brainstormed on strategy, met with community business leaders, applied for grants, created new documentation forms and made plans for coming events.  A few very committed volunteer board members have worked countless hours, excited about the future of HNFB.  Spring is coming, and with it, new hope for the days ahead and the work that we are doing in the communities of Knox County. Statistics show amazing growth over our short history of 9 years.  (See our Community Impact Statement-HopeNow_CommunityImpact-2013-2014_2014-01-05-0850)  Yet the need is so great!  Currently we have a waiting list of people in need of basic furniture.

Will you help us?

Do you have some unneeded, usable furniture that you could donate?

Call 740-358-2998 to arrange to have it picked up free of charge.

Do you have a few hours a week to volunteer?  We have a variety of tasks to be done.

Call 740-392-3155 to volunteer.

Could you donate money to help with administrative costs or to purchase building materials for beds, dressers, and/or tables?  Send your check to:

Hopenow Furniture Bank

P.O. Box 627

1025 South Main

Mount Vernon, OH 43050

The Joy of Giving

December 6, 2014

What a joy it was to be a volunteer greeter at the HopeNow Furniture Bank warehouse yesterday! Although our inventory was extremely low, in just 3 hours we were able to service 6 clients while we also received donations from 3-4 more and helped several load furniture chosen at an earlier appointment.   The most rewarding aspect though was being able to work with one of our social service agencies to help two very needy clients. The first was a woman who had been a teacher in Knox County. Because of very difficult circumstances in her life, she had turned to substance abuse to ease the pain, but eventually it was the cause of her losing her job. This woman has been living in her car in parking lots for two years! How gratifying it was, now that she had finally come to terms with her situation and connected with a social service agency, to be able to walk through our warehouse with her and help her find furnishings for her new apartment. The caseworker told me that though the apartment was currently empty, she was “as happy as a clam” to be in her own place and to curl up on the floor. We were able to give her a bed and linens for it, a vanity, a nice couch and comfy chair, kitchen table and chairs, end tables and a beautiful lamp. She also chose some dishes and necessary kitchen items. She was so excited, happy and very thankful! The second client this caseworker assisted was a man who had also been homeless. He was now able to choose pieces to make his new apartment a place of comfort. It was fun to watch him match up pieces that he would enjoy having in his new home. Although the donated furniture was not new, it was still in good condition and would be very useful to him. How wonderful to see these second-hand pieces given new life and giving new life! When a person is so obviously in need and is helped to get their life back in order, it is an esteem and confidence building experience for them. They recognize that they have an opportunity for a new and different life. Being a part of that change is such a rewarding experience! It’s what Christmas is all about! I am glad to be a volunteer with HopeNow Furniture Bank of Knox County.

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 24, 2014

As you gather around your abundant table this week, remember those who have no table!

Help Now – HopeNow Furniture Bank

Top 3 Needs:

Mattresses (Twin, Full, Queen)     Dressers,     Tables        

Critical Volunteer Positions Needed:

Procurement Specialist – Helps obtain furniture and household good from corporate donors             Community Outreach Specialist – Develops relationships with county-wide organizations, corporations and businesses  

Donations – Call 740-358-2998 for free pickup

Positions – Respond at 2hopenow@nullgmail.com

     

Oct 23 Networking Event

October 31, 2014

On October 23rd, HopeNow Furniture Bank hosted the Heritage Centre Association’s monthly networking group.  We were pleased to have local business representatives attend, hear about our organization and tour our facilities.  Along with the enjoyable conversations over seasonal snacks, those present shared news, ideas and suggestions.  We welcome these opportunities to interact with others of our community and county.

Warehouse Reopens Tuesday, Sept. 2

August 26, 2014

The work at the warehouse continues the rest of this week and so we will remain closed.   Lots of cleaning and reorganization is being done.  We are soon going to begin work on a furniture repair workshop at the back of the warehouse and we need to prepare for that.  We are also putting aside lots of “surplus” items which we will offer for donation at a special event on Saturday, September 27.  Watch for further notice about this event. Reopening date for the warehouse is Tuesday, September 2 at 1:00 for those with appointments or small load donations.

Taking a Break!

August 15, 2014

HopeNow Furniture Bank warehouse will be closed for maintenance and reorganization from August 15th through August 26th, or until further notice.  Please watch for an announcement of our regular schedule resuming!