There is nothing better during the holidays than gathering around the dinner table to enjoy a meal with friends or family. People wait all year to sink into their sofas in a post-turkey haze to watch the game with their loved ones. Furniture is much more than just its functionality; it creates a backbone for our everyday living by fostering social interactions and providing comfort. In short, it helps to make a house into a home.
The importance of furniture is not lost on those involved in the Faith In Action Furniture Ministry connected with Bradford Alliance Church in Minard Run. For the last eight years, they have been furnishing the homes of local needy families free of charge.
“We received a call about a woman who was leaving an abusive relationship who had a place to come and stay in Bradford but that was all she had,” said Pastor Rob Jeffrey, of the Bradford Alliance Church.
“We worked along with Destinations to get the place set up for her and her three children and make sure that they had everything they needed when they got here.”
After a few weeks, the family moved on to a permanent residence in Florida. Jeffrey offered to store the furniture in his church.
“We put out a post on social media asking if anyone needed it and that is the beginning of how we got involved,” Jeffrey said.
Something similar had been going on, loosely, in the community for some time. They decided to pool their efforts under the umbrella of Faith in Action Furniture Ministry. Since its humble beginnings, the groups’ efforts have expanded to meet the area’s needs.
“Sometimes God opens a door we didn’t know existed and that is what happened with this program,” said Jeffrey.
The process begins when a needy family is referred to the program. Typically, they serve women with children who are leaving abusive situations, and homeless veterans.
“We work primarily with the YWCA, Destinations-Bradford, the Guidance Center, the Salvation Army, the McKean County Housing Authority and homeless veterans,” said Tom Leposa, volunteer.
After receiving the referral, someone from the ministry goes and meets with the family to assess their requirements and start to build rapport.
“That way, we know exactly what they need and we aren’t taking a couch out to someone who doesn’t want one,” said Leposa.
“It also lets us begin to build a relationship with these people by taking the time to listen and hear their stories.”
The group makes deliveries on the first and third Saturdays of each month, unless there is a need for more. They estimate they have delivered furniture to about 300 homes in the last four years.
“It is a privilege for us to be able to meet these people where they are at and let them know that they are loved and they matter,” said Jeffrey. “Many of these people are coming from the worst situations and we need to show them kindness and care.”
“Often, when we come and talk with these people they break down in tears,” said Leposa. “They will tell us that nobody has shown them this type of love in so long that they don’t know how to react.”
There is a special group of women volunteers who are often called in to counsel those who may not feel comfortable with an unknown man in their space.
“We have to be sensitive to their perspective because it is really their home we are setting up,” said Leposa. “Domestic violence and sexual abuse continue to be two huge problems in our community and we can’t just turn a blind eye to that reality.”
Each piece of furniture is in new or like-new condition and is carefully inspected before it goes out. Many of the pieces come from estates or corporate and private donations.
“Everything has to be in good shape, only lightly used with no stains on it,” said Leposa.
“We don’t do any electronics either, we only do basic furniture.”
Because of their commitment to quality and limited storage space the group does not take furniture that has been randomly dropped off. Instead, those who want to help are asked to do so by volunteering to make deliveries and pickups. They also accept financial contributions.
All donations go directly into the furniture ministry and are not used for day-to-day operations of the church, Jeffrey said.
“If we have any extra money we use that to purchase brand new twin beds for children if their parents can’t afford that,” said Jeffrey.
“We don’t think it is acceptable for a child to receive a used mattress.”
Leposa noted that the need in our area is only growing.
“This is a full-time job to be honest with you and we could really use the community’s help,” Leposa said.
In the future, the group hopes to expand to a more permanent building as they are beginning to outgrow their current storage shed. They also hope to acquire a covered trailer so that they can make deliveries no matter the weather.
