Provide beds for 300 kids sleeping on the floor

Your gifts of funds, furniture, and friendship helped Community Warehouse create safe and stable homes for 7,234 neighbors in need last year.

Here is a small glimpse of the positive stories you create every day:

Angelica, her mother and daughter visited the Warehouse last month in need of basic goods for their nearly empty home. They arrived on a chilly, sunny morning and were handed their request form with a warm smile and a friendly 'Hello' from staff member Erik. The Warehouse was full to the brim as they walked around, picking out their favorite sofa, dining table, chairs, dresser, lamps and artwork (all donations from fellow community members.) The smiles on their faces were unforgettable.

Our volunteers packed a sizeable box of pots and pans, dishes, and other kitchen items along with a large, warm bag of linens. When it came time to select their beds, they asked kindly if we had any bunk beds. Tom, our Program Manager, sadly shook his head: "We rarely get bunk beds...I'm sorry." Angelica and her family were moving into a very small space, so a bunk bed was ideal, but they were very grateful and understanding.

Fast forward fifteen minutes.

As Tom was loading the last of their goods into the truck, a donor pulled up to the garage entrance with a large vehicle and called out, "Hey – do you take bunk beds? I've got a real nice one here in my truck!" A huge smile of astonishment spread across Angelica's face. She spoke with the donor while we moved the bunk bed straight from his truck to hers. 

And that, friends, is the magic of the Warehouse. Your extras can make a huge difference in someone else's life. This happens all year round and your kindness makes it all possible. We truly can't thank you enough.

With sincere appreciation,

Anna and the Warehouse Crew

PS: We need your help! We are low on kitchenware, pillows, dressers, and beds at our Portland and Tualatin Warehouses. Please consider making a gift – all donations are tax-deductible and go directly to support local families in need.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

So far this year, your donations have provided the comforts of home for 6,450 people. Out of these, 2,995 were children. We encourage you to pause, shut your eyes for a moment, and actually picture all of these people and children who are no longer sleeping on the floor. Think about the hundreds (and thousands!) of families who can now sit down for a meal together, or a mom or dad who can hold a warm coffee mug in their hands as they read the morning paper in their comfy chair.

In the words of Case Manager Colleen Sinsky, “Having basic furnishings is such an amazingly empowering part of someone’s move off the street and into housing. It comes down to dignity…and moving into a place that has white walls and barren floors is not an especially dignifying or human experience.”

This is especially true this time of year. There is something wonderful about the holiday season that makes sitting down for a warm meal or snuggling on the couch with your kids extra special. We do our best each day to make this a reality for those in our community who are starting from the beginning.

This past week alone at the Portland Warehouse, we served 51 families. One family (pictured) stood out in particular at the Warehouse this week, representing three generations. From the grandmother to the youngest child, each will have a cozy bed to sleep on, as well as other essentials: a table and chairs, dresser, pots and pans, dishes and silverware, towels, an alarm clock, and more. With your help, we can keep our shelves full and the hopes of families fulfilled.

There are many ways to support Community Warehouse (and your neighbors in need) this holiday season:

• Donate an extra towel, table, twin bed, or toaster.
• Give a gift in honor of a family member.
• Remind a friend about your local furniture bank.
• Visit our Estate Store for one-of-a kind treasures, thrift items, and great holiday bargains – all proceeds directly support Community Warehouse.
• Sponsor a family for $144, providing them with all the essential furnishings they need to set up their home.

Thank you for all you do to help us put USED GOODS TO GOOD USE every day. We wish you a very wonderful holiday season and hope to see you soon!

Warmly,

Kristy Wood, Executive Director

Links:

• Check out our website