TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Furniture, it makes a house a home, but not everyone has the luxury of a bed for a good night's sleep, a table to share a meal, or a dresser to keep their clothes in.
That is where Echo Furniture Bank in Tallahassee comes in.
They are the only free furniture program in Tallahassee, helping formerly homeless people, veterans and others get back on their feet.
Like the elderly grandmother raising her grandson, who desperately needed back surgery but was sleeping on her couch because she didn't have the money to buy a bed to recuperate in.
"Fortunately she found us and we got her a bed and set it up and she was able to have the operation recuperate and go on with her life," said John Hinkle, Director of Furniture Bank Tallahassee.
Echo is a faith based local non-profit that serves the Big Bend. They have many programs and the furniture bank is one of them. The program not only supports local families that have been homeless, it also saves them money and reduces waste.
"People that provide these goods to the community instead of going to the landfill, that's a nice sustainable way to tackle that problem too," said Freddy Branham, Executive Director of Echo.
Stephen Blakemore, Client Specialist at Furniture Bank Tallahassee, does client intake. He assesses each person's situation and says there are many reasons people are displaced or homeless, it could be because of fire, natural disaster or domestic violence. He says the camaraderie between those at the furniture bank and the families is their greatest joy.
"That person is calling and they are stressed when I first ever speak with them," said Blakemore. "Then when they come to the warehouse there are hugs - the children jump up and down because they are going to sleep on a bed that night. It tales your breath away."
The Echo Furniture Bank needs donations. If you are moving or need to get rid of furniture in your home or college dorm, please call the furniture bank at 850-224-3246.
You can also go to their website for more information.
The non-profit is looking for basic furniture, nothing too large, and they don't take electronics.
