Founded | 1998 (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) |
---|---|
Founder | Sister Anne Schenck[1] |
Type | non-profit, social enterprise |
Focus | Women and children, immigrants, refugees, homeless |
Location | |
Area served | Greater Toronto Area |
Key people | Dan Kershaw, executive director[1] |
Website | www |
Furniture Bank is a charitable organization and social enterprise[2] that has been helping people in the Greater Toronto Area establish their homes since 1998.[3][4] Furniture Bank accepts gently used furniture and household goods and redistributes them to people in marginalized communities.[5] Donors can drop off furniture or use the fee-based pick-up service to make a contribution, and are offered an in kind charitable tax receipt for the value of the donated goods.[6][7]
The organization’s focus is on helping new immigrants and refugees, abused women and children,[3] and the formerly homeless furnish their homes.[2] Furniture Bank works alongside more than 70 community agencies and shelters,[4] such as Streets to Homes,[8] YMCA Shelters, and the Fred Victor Centre,[9] that refer clients in need to access the services.
With 5 trucks on the road,[6] Furniture Bank is able to provide furniture to more than 5,000 clients a year.[9][10] In 2012, the organization diverted 1,526 metric tons of furniture from ending up in a landfill.[8]
Furniture Bank is a member of the Furniture Bank Association of North America.[11]